Key takeaways:
Anyone with breast tissue can make breast milk (lactate), even if you aren’t pregnant or nursing. It’s also possible for men to lactate.
Lactating in a man can be a sign of an underlying medical condition that shouldn’t be ignored. Conditions like a hormonal imbalance, tumor, or hypothyroidism can cause lactation in men.
Other causes of male lactation can include medications and supplements. A healthcare professional can work with you to figure out the source of your lactation.
Signs of breast cancer should be checked out right away. These include skin changes, a lump or mass, or blood discharge from the nipple.
Breast milk is made in the mammary glands of the breasts. Typically, lactation happens in response to pregnancy and birth-related hormonal changes. While it’s rare, sometimes people who aren’t pregnant or nursing (including men) produce milk from their nipples. When this happens, it’s usually a sign of an underlying issue.
Can a person who is male produce breast milk?
Any person with breast tissue can lactate — even men. That’s because breast tissue has thousands of glands that produce milk in response to hormones secreted from the pituitary gland. Galactorrhea is the medical term for breast milk production that’s not due to pregnancy or nursing.
All children have a small amount of breast tissue. If that tissue is exposed to hormones like estrogen and progesterone during puberty, it develops into a breast capable of making milk. But for males who don’t typically develop full breasts in puberty, lactation is still possible — though unusual.
What makes a man lactate?
Sometimes, nipple stimulation or chest trauma can lead to lactation. Most cases of male galactorrhea are caused by high levels of a hormone called prolactin. Prolactin is the human hormone that stimulates milk production. Everyone has a small amount of prolactin in their blood, but it’s not usually enough to lead to milk production.
Hyperprolactinemia is the medical term for abnormally high levels of prolactin. When prolactin levels are high, the mammary glands in the breast produce milk. There are a few things that can contribute to this.
1. Pituitary tumor
A prolactinoma is a benign tumor in the pituitary gland, the part of the brain that makes prolactin. These types of tumors are the most common cause of hyperprolactinemia and unwanted lactation.
2. Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism — an underactive thyroid — is another, less common cause of hyperprolactinemia. Low thyroid hormone levels can lead to extra activity in the pituitary gland. And, if the cells in the pituitary that control prolactin are overstimulated, that can cause hyperprolactinemia.
3. Medication side effects
Herbs and supplements (like nettle or fenugreek) can sometimes be linked to lactation in men. Some medications can also contribute, including:
Certain antipsychotics, like haloperidol (Haldol) and risperidone (Risperdal)
Antidepressant medications, like fluoxetine (Prozac) and sertraline (Zoloft)
Blood pressure medication, like verapamil
Nausea medication, like metoclopramide (Reglan)
Is it bad if a man has high levels of prolactin?
High prolactin levels in a man can cause a range of symptoms and issues related to sex and physical appearance. These include:
Galactorrhea (abnormal lactation)
Gynecomastia (abnormal breast tissue growth)
Infertility
Erectile dysfunction (ED)
Is lactation in a man serious?
Though most causes of lactation in men aren’t life-threatening, don’t ignore the problem. A good first step is to see a healthcare professional. They’ll ask you about any other symptoms you have and any medications and supplements you take daily.
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They’ll also likely order blood tests to see if you have abnormal levels of prolactin or other hormones, including your thyroid hormones.
It’s possible you may need imaging tests like a:
Chest ultrasound
Very rarely, lactation might be a sign of breast cancer. It’s important to see your primary care provider right away if you notice any of these worrying symptoms:
Lactation from one breast only
Skin changes around the nipple or breast
A hard or firm mass that you can feel in the breast
Blood coming from the nipple
What is the treatment for men who are lactating?
The treatment for male lactation depends on the root cause of the problem:
If one of your medications is causing your hyperprolactinemia, your healthcare team may recommend an alternative.
If hypothyroidism is the source of the problem, the next step is to figure out what’s causing the thyroid issue. Once the thyroid is treated, your prolactin levels should go back to normal, stopping the lactation.
If a benign pituitary tumor is causing hyperprolactinemia, medications may help. Prescription medications like cabergoline and bromocriptine (Parlodel) can improve your hormonal balance. When taking these medications, your prolactin levels will be checked regularly to make sure they’re going in the right direction.
Frequently asked questions
Nipple stimulation, sexual activity, and excessive irritation of the chest can lead to lactation. It can also happen with exercise, chest trauma, or surgery (such as breast augmentation or reduction).
War itself doesn’t cause men to lactate. But there were reports after World War II of prisoners of war who experienced starvation and lactation.
Nipple stimulation, sexual activity, and excessive irritation of the chest can lead to lactation. It can also happen with exercise, chest trauma, or surgery (such as breast augmentation or reduction).
War itself doesn’t cause men to lactate. But there were reports after World War II of prisoners of war who experienced starvation and lactation.
The bottom line
Lactation in men isn’t common, but it can happen. It’s usually a result of some sort of hormonal imbalance or the side effect of a medication. But it could be a sign of a serious problem, so it’s best to get medical attention for it. Testing can include imaging and blood tests, and this will help figure out the best course of action.
Why trust our experts?
References
Bailey, L. (2024). Galactorrhea. American Academy of Family Physicians.
Bruehlman, R. D., et al. (2022). Galactorrhea: Rapid evidence review. American Family Physician.
Merck Manual. (2025). Galactorrhea.
Mills, E. G., et al. (2026). Assessment and management of galactorrhoea. BMJ.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2019). Prolactinoma.
Swaminathan, N. (2007). Strange but true: Males can lactate. Scientific American.
