Normoprolactinemic galactorrhea in a fertile woman with a copper intra-uterine device (copper IUD)
Giampietro, O.; Ramacciotti, C.; Moggi, G.
Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica 63(1): 23-25
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0001-6349 PMID: 6539040 Document Number: 402738
A case is presented of galactorrhea in a normoprolactinemic fertile woman (30 yr old) wearing a Cu intra-uterine device (Gravigard). The Gravigard was first inserted in July 1977. In Feb. 1979 the patient noted spontaneous galactorrhea, mainly on the left, but it was also present on the right, after breast pressure. X-ray film of the sella turcica, visual-field examination, thyroid function and basal prolactin levels were all within normal limits. In May 1979 the Gravigard was withdrawn and milk loss stopped finally in Dec. 1979. In March 1980 the IUD was replaced; after only 3 days, mild spontaneous lactation again ensued, on the right side. The patient never took drugs which might have occasioned a prolactin rise. Possible explanations for this unusual phenomenon are discussed.