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Galactorrhea

A report on 50 cases

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Summary

The incidence of galactorrhea in an unselected group of 5597 outpatients of our gynaecological department was 0.89%. Only one patient had amenorrhea simultaneously (0.02%). There is no age dependency of galactorrhea during the period of sexual maturity (between the age of 20 and 50). A few cases can be observed in the postmenopause. The percentage of galactorrhea ocouring after a previous pregnancy is extremely small. Based upon the chemical analysis of secretions from galactorrhea and of normal human breast milk it is obvious that the two fluids are not identical. Irregularities of the menstrual cycles are present mainly in the form of monophasic cycles. There is a high incidence of pathological fasting plasma glucose concentrations (approx. 20%). An attempt is made to detect the different causes for galactorrhea. In more than 50% of the patients morphological alterations of the mammary tissue can be found. Six times there were intracanalicular papillomas. A procedure for the diagnosis of an uncomplicated galactorrhea is suggested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Basel, Switzerland

    L. Vetter, F. Krauer & H. Wyss

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  1. L. Vetter
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  2. F. Krauer
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  3. H. Wyss
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Vetter, L., Krauer, F. & Wyss, H. Galactorrhea. Arch. Gynak. 216, 81–90 (1973). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00672677

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00672677

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