Galactorrhea in oral contraceptive users.

One hundred women who had been employing combination estrogen/progestin oral contraceptives (OCs) for a minimum of six consecutive months were evaluated for the presence of galactorrhea. It was found in 9%. The incidence did not vary significantly with age, gravidity, duration of OC use of estrogen content. Only six subjects had breast fed previously, preventing assessment of the effect this may have on the incidence of galactorrhea. Twelve OC users with galactorrhea were evaluated for the presence of pituitary microadenomas. Two had radiologic and hormonal findings consistent with the presence of prolactinomas, one had functional hyperprolactinemia, one had an empty sella, one had a partially empty sella, and two with normal basal prolactin levels had both polytomography and computerized axial tomography findings suggestive of pituitary microadenomas. Galactorrhea in OC users who have not breast fed is frequently associated with significant intrasellar pathology and should be an indication for further evaluation.