Which statement best describes the cause of galactorrhea?

• A. Inappropriate lactation
• B. Milky discharge not postpartum
• C. Nonpuerperal hyperprolactinemia
• D. Prolactin deficiency

Answer: (C)

Galactorrhea happens when prolactin levels are elevated enough to stimulate breast milk production outside of pregnancy. When this occurs not in the postpartum period, it’s called nonpuerperal hyperprolactinemia—the excess prolactin itself is the cause of the milky discharge. Prolactin deficiency would not produce milk, so that option isn’t a plausible cause. Describing milky discharge not postpartum states the symptom, but the underlying mechanism is the elevated prolactin level independent of childbirth.