Is Lactation Without Pregnancy Possible?

Is lactation without pregnancy possible? Can a woman who is not pregnant and has not been delivered of baby produce breast milk? The obvious answer may be No.

For women who are pregnant or recently gave birth, lactation is normal as the hormones signal the mammary glands in your body to start producing milk to feed the baby. But findings show that women, and even men (yes you heard right) can successfully lactate even if they have never ever been pregnant before. How you might ask?

Medical doctors who spoke to THE WHISTLER on the issue said it is possible for non-pregnant women or men to also produce the hormones that signal the mammary glands in the body to produce milk. Mfon Daniel, a medical practitioner explains:

“It is possible to cause lactation without pregnancy (artificially) and even in post-menopause. But this is a long process. It usually requires several months of preparation.

“First, a special hormonal therapy (hormones that will mimic pregnancy and especially the ones that will induce milk production by the breast) and the appointment of estrogens and progesterone are prescribed.”

“It is made in order to cause a so-called false pregnancy. This therapy can last six or more months.

“Month to a few weeks to childbirth she will start using breast pumps to stimulate and let down milk.

“Initially with little frequency and then increased for like 5 minutes, 3times daily to 10 minutes, 6times daily and if after the baby is delivered, the milk production isn’t sufficient for the baby, she will continue using the breast pump whenever the child is on supplementary milk feed to stimulate the psychological production and let down of breast milk.”

He, however, pointed out that drugs associated with the process may have side-effects like Diarrhea, Energy reduction, Dizziness, Nausea amongst many others.

Also, an experienced microbiologist Mr.Jeff Odiete said any woman can lactate provided she has healthy breasts and a healthy pituitary(a major gland that helps in growth and control of other glands) and can uphold a breast stimulation regimen round the clock for maybe 6 months at any age after puberty is finished, and until death.

He however warned that few women get involuntary milk because of “pituitary tumor( abnormal growths that develop in the pituitary gland and produces hormones as well as disrupts the balance of hormones in your body” and that requires you to go to your doctor immediately”.

This revelation would be a thing of joy for women who desire to breastfeed their adopted or surrogate-born infants as mammals have been blessed with the anatomy to stimulate and trick their body into producing milk.