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A galactagogue, or galactogogue (from Greek: γάλα [γαλακτ-], milk, + ἀγωγός, leading), also known as a lactation inducer or milk booster, is a substance that promotes lactation in humans and other animals. [1] [2] It may be synthetic, plant-derived, or endogenous. They may be used to induce lactation and to treat low milk supply.
Whereas D 2 receptor agonists suppress prolactin secretion, dopamine D 2 receptor antagonists like domperidone and metoclopramide have the opposite effect, strongly inducing the pituitary secretion of prolactin, and are sometimes used as prolactin releasers, for instance to correct hypoprolactinemia (low prolactin levels) in the treatment of lactation failure. [2]
The mother's use of medications and herbs should be evaluated, as some substance suppress lactation. [5] The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine protocol for low milk supply recommends that the mother be evaluated for medical causes of the problem, [5] however health professionals and breastfeeding counsellors often do not do this. [2]
Additional protocols exist to support an accelerated timeline and to support induced lactation in menopausal parents. Some couples may stimulate lactation outside of pregnancy for sexual purposes. Rare accounts of male lactation (as distinct from galactorrhea) exist in historical medical and anthropological literature. [25]
There are few treatments which increase prolactin levels in humans. Treatment differs based on the reason for diagnosis. Women who are diagnosed with hypoprolactinemia following lactation failure are typically advised to formula feed, although treatment with metoclopramide has been shown to increase milk supply in clinical studies.
Across Europe, neonatal lactation was called "witch's milk", "hexenmilch" and "lait de sorciere", and it was accused of being a potential source for witchcraft. [ 13 ] Some communities believed that women who has sold their souls to Satan in return for mystical powers would persecute babies by sucking their mammary glands and leaving "witches ...
Breastfeeding and medications is the description of the medications that can be used by a breastfeeding mother, and the balance between maternal health and the safety of the breastfeeding infant. [ 1 ] [ 2 ] Medications, when administered to breastfeeding mothers, almost always are transferred to breast milk, albeit usually in small quantities ...
Lactation requires the presence of prolactin, and the evaluation of galactorrhea includes eliciting a history for various medications or foods (methyldopa, opioids, antipsychotics, serotonin reuptake inhibitors [4]) and for behavioral causes (stress, breast, and chest wall stimulation), as well as evaluation for gestation, pituitary adenomas ...