| Common Name | lactation |
| Scientific Name | |
| Disease Type | Endocrine/Reproductive |
| Host Type | human; human |
| ICD Code | O92.6, O91.2, O92.5 |
| Distribution | Worldwide; most common in postpartum women globally, with higher reporting in Western countries due to breastfeeding promotion and medical surveillance. |
| Causative Agent | |
| Transmission |
| Symptoms Description | Insufficient milk production (hypogalactia), oversupply (hypergalactia), painful engorgement, mastitis, blocked ducts, low milk supply, poor milk ejection reflex. May include breast pain, swelling, fever in infectious cases, or infant failure to thrive due to inadequate nutrition. |
| Diagnosis | Clinical history and physical exam; measurement of milk output; hormone assays (prolactin, thyroid); breast ultrasound; rule out anatomical issues or underlying endocrine disorders. |
| Conventional Treatment | For low supply: frequent nursing/pumping, galactagogues such as domperidone or metoclopramide (where approved), oxytocin nasal spray for let-down; antibiotics for mastitis; surgical intervention for abscess. For oversupply: block feeding, cold compresses, cabbage leaves. |
| Herbal Treatment | Galactagogues including Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum), Blessed Thistle (Cnicus benedictus), Goat's Rue (Galega officinalis), Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare), Shatavari (Asparagus racemosus), Moringa (Moringa oleifera). Anti-inflammatory herbs such as Turmeric (Curcuma longa) for mastitis support. Topical calendula or comfrey for sore nipples (TCM: use herbs that tonify qi and blood such as Dang Gui). |
| Prevention | Early and frequent breastfeeding initiation, proper latch technique, maternal nutrition and hydration, stress reduction, avoid unnecessary formula supplementation, prompt treatment of engorgement. |
| Prognosis | Generally excellent with timely support; most lactation issues resolve within days to weeks. Chronic low supply may require ongoing management or supplementation. Untreated mastitis can lead to abscess. |
| History | Lactation support has been documented across cultures for millennia. Traditional use of galactagogue herbs appears in Ayurvedic, TCM, and Western herbal texts dating back to ancient Greece (Dioscorides recommended fenugreek). Modern lactation consulting emerged in the late 20th century with the founding of La Leche League in 1956. |
| Reference | Humphrey S. The Nursing Mother's Herbal. 2003; Mills S, Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. 2nd ed. 2013; Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine protocols; WHO breastfeeding guidelines. |
| URL | https://forager.com/ENCY/Disease/lactation |
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