Join Our Community!
Share
Pregnancy Forum > Pregnancy Q and A Forum > Pituitary gland function , lactation , and oxytocin
What happens during labor? What do contractions feel like? And how do I know that labor has begun? Read on to learn about birthing basics....
Signs of labor occur after 36 weeks of pregnancy. Learn about the difference between real and false contractions. Plus, we outline signs of delivery complicati...
Almost all women worry about the pain of childbirth. Preparing for childbirth includes thinking about how you'd like to cope with the pain of labor. Read on for...
User Profile
Q: Pituitary gland function , lactation , and oxytocin
asked by: DoctorQuestion on March 19th, 2009
my question is: about a month ago I started having cramps like I was going to start my period. I have had a hysterectomy back in "06. (Complete) Well anyway with the cramping came the breast tenderness. Well its been a month now and I am lactating with milk secretions, have gained weight- nauseau over some foods. getting sleepy in the middle of the day. If i did not know any better I would think I was pregnant. So I took 2 tests- one was neg. the other postive. I have called my obgyn and he did a cbc,cmp, prolactin which all has come back as normal. Im at a loss of what im going thru and what to do. I need some advise....PLEASE


Did you find this post useful?
|
Replies(1)
User Profile
Dr. Andrijana Shterjovska , MD
replied on March 24th, 2009
Pregnancy Q and A Answer A6100


Given the data you provided, an assumption is made that you had your ovaries removed too, when the hysterectomy was performed. If this is correct, then the symptoms you reported might be related to inadequate function of the pituitary gland. Oxytocin is one of the hormones of the pituitary gland. It helps to release the milk from the nipples. Perhaps the secretion from the nipples is not really human milk, but something else that is released with the help of oxytocin. That would explain the normal values of prolactin. If the problem is located only in its posterior part, then effects from inadequate secretion of the other hormones might be missing.


You might want to have laboratory tests for oxytocin as well as a computer scan or other imaging methods in order to check the condition of the pituitary gland.




DISCLAIMER: "Ask a Doctor" questions are answered by certified physicians and other medical professionals who volunteer their time on eHealth Forum. For more information about experts participating in the "Ask a Doctor" Network, please visit our medical experts page. You may also visit our Pregnancy Q and A , for moderated patient to patient support and information.

The information provided on eHealth Forum is designed to improve, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own physician. Personal consultation(s) with a qualified medical professional is the proper means for diagnosing any medical condition.
Did you find this post useful?
|
This question has been answered by the doctor. This topic is now open for public discussion, however no comments below this point will be answered by a doctor.
Quick Reply
Search