Causes of amenorrhea and lactation syndrome

Amenorrhea and lactation syndrome is a syndrome in which amenorrhea and breast milk secretion coexist under non-physiological conditions. The cause of the disease is related to the following factors:

Pituitary lesions

Amenorrhea and lactation caused by pituitary tumors are not related to pregnancy. The tumor is composed of prolactin-secreting cells, which are not controlled by the hypothalamic prolactin inhibitory factor and secrete prolactin autonomously. If the pituitary tumor enlarges and compresses the pituitary stalk, the transport of the hypothalamic prolactin inhibitory factor is blocked, which can also cause the pituitary to secrete excessive prolactin. In addition, craniopharyngioma and empty sella turcica can also cause lactation and hyperprolactinemia due to compression of the hypothalamus or pituitary stalk.

Postpartum galactorrhea

Because pregnancy causes hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction, excessive prolactin is continuously produced, which inhibits the secretion of gonadal hormones, leading to amenorrhea and lactation syndrome accompanied by genital atrophy. Such patients should be closely followed up to pay attention to pituitary tumors.

Psychological factors

Psychological factors such as trauma, anesthesia, depression, and false pregnancy act on the hypothalamus-pituitary gland through the cerebral cortex, causing an increase in prolactin and leading to amenorrhea and lactation syndrome.

Drug effects

Long-term use of drugs such as reserpine, chlorpromazine, phenothiazines, morphine, and birth control pills can block the storage of mediators in adrenergic nerve endings, deplete the mediators with pressor effects in the vesicles, and lead to amenorrhea and lactation syndrome.

Primary hypothyroidism

In primary hypothyroidism, thyroid hormone secretion decreases, thyrotropin-releasing hormone secretion increases, and prolactin secretion is stimulated, leading to amenorrhea and lactation syndrome.