How can I get my breastmilk to dry up?

Question:

I had my child 24 years ago and I still have breastmilk!! I'm 54 years old! This is so frustrating!!! I asked my doctor and she said there was nothing I can do about it! what do you say? I heard not drinking caffine can stop the milk. That is a joke! It didn't help! Please can you help me?

Answer:

Thanks for "asking the nutritionist" at breastmilk.com.  Very interesting question, and I can certainly see why this would be frustrating. A lactating woman will continue to produce breast milk until she discontinues expressing the milk . . .as long as there is a constant need for the breast milk, a woman can produce milk for twenty or thirty years.  Once the woman discontinues expressing the breast milk, it can take several months or more for the milk to completely dry up.

If you have long ago discontinued expressing the breast milk, then it is possible that you have elevated prolactin levels.  Prolactin is the "breastfeeding hormone" . . . levels of this hormone are high while a woman is breastfeeding, but should return to normal very soon after the infant is weaned.  Certain medications and certain medical conditions can cause prolactin levels to be elevated, which can cause a woman's body to continue to produce breast milk.  Please consult your medical provider to discuss whether or not your prolactin levels may be abnormally high.