JohnQ
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As strange as it may sound, it is possible for a human male to produce milk by lactation. It must be stated, however, that lactation is not possible in natural, healthy, and balanced men. Mammalian females naturally produce milk to nourish their children as infants. This is made possible by the mammary glands, and it is one of the main features that distinguish mammals from other animals. In humans, the mammary glands are located in the breasts. During adolescence, hormones are released that cause a human female’s mammary glands to enlarge in preparation for child-rearing. Before this time, the breast area of males and females are very similar. In some cases, a man may suffer from an imbalance of hormones that cause his breasts to grow. This is called gynecomastia. In even rarer cases, the hormonal imbalance enlarges the dormant mammary glands and allows them to produce small amounts of milk. No cases of male lactation have been found that can produce the quantities of milk needed to nourish a baby.
Most modern cases of male lactation are caused by hormone treatments under the supervision of a doctor. Female hormones are often given to men with prostate cancer to slow the growth of the cancer. These hormones can have a side effect of lactation. Hormone treatments given to transsexual males to help them achieve the look of a woman have also been known to cause minor lactation. In other cases, hormones are not given, but certain medications can stimulate the body’s natural hormone levels. Some antipsychotic medication has caused male lactation. It has also been found that extremely stressful situations combined with a lack of food can stimulate milk production in men. This has been observed in POWs in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam.
 Posted 5380 day ago
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