Cohort study, 1981
What causes nipple discharge in women with normal periods?
Nipple discharge may be caused by low thyroid hormone or high stress hormones and anxiety. These were found in different groups of women with this symptom.
What they did
Studied 12 women with nipple discharge who had normal periods and no pituitary tumors, measuring hormone levels and psychological health.
What they found
Eight women showed low thyroid function with high prolactin hormone. Four women showed high stress hormones (epinephrine and norepinephrine) combined with anxiety and neuroticism on psychological tests.
What it means for you
Nipple discharge may signal thyroid problems or stress-related hormone changes. Treatment included thyroid replacement and psychological therapy. This is a very small study that describes patterns but cannot prove cause and effect.
12
women with nipple discharge studied
8
with thyroid dysfunction
4
with high stress hormones
About the study
- Original title
- Endocrinologic and psychologic aspects of galactorrhea associated with normal menstrual cycles
- Authors
- Naguib YA, Darwish NA, Shaarawy M et al.
- Journal
- International journal of gynaecology and obstetrics: the official organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics
- Year
- 1981
- Study design
- Cohort study
- What was tested
- None (diagnostic and observational study)
- Read the paper
- doi.org/10.1016/0020-7292(81)90076-x
Topics
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