Can Men Lactate? Unveiling the Surprising Biological Possibilities
By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 16, 2024Click to rate this article!
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By Dr. Nayana Shetty +2 more
Medically reviewed by Dr. Nayana Shetty
Last updated: Apr 16, 2024Table of Contents
Sometimes even males might be able to lactate just like women. In this article, we’re going to take a hard look at the biology behind male lactation. We’ll talk about hormones, evolution, and male lactation cases. Plus, we’ll discuss what this means for transgender people. Lastly, we will answer some frequently asked questions regarding this topic.
Did you know?
Lactation means production of milk to feed young ones. It’s vital for mammals. Two key hormones required are prolactin and oxytocin.
A gland in our brain, the pituitary, makes prolactin. This hormone tells the mammary glands to produce milk. When a woman is pregnant or has just given birth, her prolactin levels increase. This preparation work for breastfeeding is crucial.
Another key player in milk production is oxytocin. Its main job is to aid what we call the “letdown reflex”. When the nipple is stimulated, oxytocin jumps into action. It tells the mammary glands to let milk flow into the milk ducts. This makes milk available when a baby is nursing.
Female mammals lactate to feed their newborns with all the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy. Mother’s milk is packed with proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. It’s just what the baby needs at the start of their life.
Both men and women have nipples and mammary glands. In men, these glands aren’t usually as fully formed as women’s. Men don’t need to store or produce milk to feed young ones. But the basic structures are there.
Now that we know about lactation basics and how men’s mammary glands work, below we have discussed if men can produce milk. We will also look at history, other mammals, and what can make it possible.
Male lactation might seem new, but it isn’t. The Talmud, a key Jewish text, mentions it. There are even tales of men nursing kids when moms weren’t around or had died. During World War II, some starving prisoners of war began to lactate. This happened when they finally got enough food. Their hormonal balances tipped, and they started producing milk.
Like humans, male lactation in animals is also rare. Cats, goats, guinea pigs, and the Dayak fruit bat are some examples. It isn’t a common sight though.
Factors that can cause this are described below.
If a man’s hormones are disrupted, he might produce milk. High prolactin can set off lactation as it’s the key player in milk production.
Some health problems can disrupt hormone balance and cause lactation. An underactive thyroid or a noncancerous tumour in the pituitary gland are some examples.
Some drugs can disrupt hormones. This can lead to lactation. Some antipsychotics, nausea medications, anti-depressants, and opioids do this. Even some blood pressure drugs like calcium channel blockers can cause this.
Long-term or intense nipple stimulations can also set off milk production. Regular touch can increase prolactin levels and increase the chances of lactation.
It’s vital to detect the signs and know when to seek help.
The main physical signs of male lactation are as follows.
Alongside these physical symptoms, men who are lactating may feel emotionally unsettled. They might feel distressed or shy about what’s happening to their bodies. More serious cases may cause anxiety or depression.
On noticing any of the abovementioned signs it’s important to discuss with a healthcare provider right away. They’ll guide you on what to do next. This may include tests to find out what’s causing it and how to manage it.
To figure out what’s causing male lactation, detailed medical testing is needed. The diagnosis may involve checking hormone levels and taking images of the brain. Then, the right management may be chosen.
A healthcare provider may do the following to diagnose male lactation.
A blood test can reveal hormone levels such as prolactin and thyroid. It helps find any hormone problems that could cause lactation.
Tests like CT scans or MRIs can look at the pituitary gland and its surrounding structures. They can detect any issues like benign tumours. These tests offer important details to find the cause of male lactation.
Once the cause is known, suitable management option can be chosen. Here are some options described below.
Managing ailments like under-functioning thyroid or liver issues may fix hormone levels. This could resolve symptoms of male lactation.
If medicines are causing lactation, drugs may need to be adjusted, lowered, or stopped. Always discuss with a healthcare provider before making any changes to your medicines.
If lactation is mainly due to nipple stimulation, stopping it might help. This could relieve symptoms and bring hormone function back to normal.
Let’s not forget that male lactation has a special impact on transgender men and women. We will discuss induced lactation, chest-feeding, and hormone therapy.
Transgender men may be able to lactate and feed a baby. This depends on factors like hormone therapy and surgeries. At times, lactation has to be induced with hormone changes and breast stimulation.
Transgender men or non-binary people who want to chest-feed may have to induce lactation. This typically involves stopping hormone therapy. Then, with the help of a lactation expert, they might develop a unique plan to stimulate milk production.
Transgender women usually cannot produce enough prolactin to lactate. In some cases, hormone therapy and nipple stimulation may help induce lactation. But not all may experience this.
Transgender women often get hormone therapy to develop female traits like breasts. Whether they can produce milk would depend on breast growth and their personal hormone balance.
For transgender women, lactation may be induced similarly as it is in transgender men. They might adjust hormone therapy, use medicines to increase prolactin, and stimulate the nipple to make milk.
As we delve into male lactation, let’s remember the risks and mental impacts this unusual condition may bring along.
While usually harmless, male lactation could signal other health issues. Problems like hormonal imbalances or noncancerous tumours shouldn’t be overlooked as they can have serious long-term effects.
This experience can leave men feeling confused, ashamed, or upset. Changes to their body image or perceived gender identity can cause strong emotions. As such, thoughtful mental health support might be helpful.
Optimal support can come from healthcare providers, lactation consultants, and mental health experts. They can support you with empathy and knowledge throughout your unique journey.
We’ve shed light on the biology of male lactation. We’ve looked at hormones and lactation processes in both men and women. We’ve seen that men can lactate under certain circumstances. We’ve also discussed how this affects transgender and non-binary individuals.
It’s important to detect the risks and emotional impacts of male lactation. Professional guidance and understanding can be of great help in these cases. Let’s use this knowledge to broaden our views on human biology and be more accepting of everyone’s unique experiences.
Male lactation itself is usually harmless. But don’t ignore it as it may indicate an imbalance in hormones or other health issues that need medical attention.
It’s rare, but there have been cases where men have produced enough milk for a baby. This mainly happens when lactation is induced.
True cases of male lactation are very few. They’re usually tied to hormonal imbalances, health problems, or side effects of medications.
Yes, a man may lactate due to hormonal imbalances, health issues, side effects of certain drugs, or intense nipple stimulation.
Yes, some drugs might affect hormone balance and lead to lactation in men. But it’s very important to discuss with a healthcare provider before trying any such method to induce lactation.
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