A number of strange body changes can be caused by childbirth, but one woman from Portugal experienced post-pregnancy symptoms that were especially curious. She began to lactate from her armpit after giving birth, according to a new report.According to the report published in The New England Journal of Medicine, July 29, the 26-year old woman said she experienced pain in her right armpit after giving birth.Doctors discovered a large mass in the woman's armpit. The report was written by the Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal.Polymastia was diagnosed in her. This is when there is extra breast tissue. According to Mayo Clinic Proceedings, up to 6 percent of women were born with this "accessory" breast tissue.Live Science previously reported that there is an extra breast tissue in some cases. In other cases, it may include a nipple (the area around the nipple) or areola. However, in others cases the breast tissue is present alone, with no nipples.Similar: Having a Baby: The Stages of Pregnancy by TrimesterAccording to a 2014 paper published in the American Journal of Roentgenology, the condition occurs during fetal development. The precursor cells for the mammary glands form along "mammary line" (or "milk ridge") that runs from the armpit on one side of the body to the other.The milk comes from the underarm. (Marinho-Soares & Pulido-Valente, NEJM, 2021)These ridges usually disappear from the breast. If this does not happen, there is still residual breast tissue. According to the 2014 paper, the armpit is the most common place for accessory breast tissue.According to the 1999 paper, if the accessory breast tissue doesn't have a nipple, or areola, women might not be aware that they have additional breast tissue until they become pregnant, or begin breast-feeding. The milk "comes into" the accessory breast tissue at this time, just like it does in normal breast tissue. Women may feel pain or swelling in the area.Some women can even breast-feed from their accessory breast tissue. The 1999 paper describes the case of an 18 year old woman who had accessory breast tissue in her armpit and was able pump axillary tissue for eight weeks. This allowed her to alleviate discomfort and continue breastfeeding.The Portugal woman was assured that her condition was benign. She was also informed by doctors that extra breast tissue should be checked for cancer when she goes under routine breast cancer screening. The woman is not able to breastfeed or pump milk from this accessory tissue.Similar Content:Mommy brain and mood swings: The emotional challenges that pregnancy presents18 ways that pregnancy can change your body forever27 of the most bizarre medical casesLive Science originally published this article. You can read the original article here.
