Nonpuerperal Galactorrhea

Abstract

No endocrinopathy presents a more puzzling course nor harbors a more enigmatic pathogenesis than does nonpuerperal galactorrhea. Although the disorder is rare, 11 women who exhibited the syndrome have been studied over a period of five years by the authors. The frustrating attempts at treatment of the syndrome are noteworthy. Of particular interest in these cases were the absence of detectable enlargement of the sella turcica and the occurrence of clinical events during the course of the disease which have not been previously recorded. For these reasons the present cases have been summarized. Further, they have been compared with those which have been described during the past 20 years wherein pertinent clinical and laboratory data have been presented. Survey of the total series of 46 cases supports the view that despite its varied clinical concomitants, disturbed neuroendocrine regulation of the anterior hypophysis or the presence of pituitary tumors appear to