Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica): An Unusual Case of Galactorrhea. 2021

Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rochester, Rochester, NY, USA.

BACKGROUND The increasing popularity and availability of herbal supplements among patients necessitates a better understanding of their mechanism of action and the effects they have on the body, both intended and unintended. Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is an herbaceous shrub found throughout the world that has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. CASE REPORT A 30-year-old woman with obesity and GERD presented to a primary care clinic with new-onset galactorrhea. A urine pregnancy test was negative. Prolactin, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), and a metabolic panel were all within normal limits. A mammogram demonstrated scattered areas of fibroglandular density and benign-appearing calcifications in the left breast. The breast ultrasound showed no suspicious findings. Her medications included intermittent Echinacea, etonogestrel implant 68 mg subdermal, and the supplement stinging nettle 500 mg, which she had been taking over the past month for environmental allergies. After consultation with a clinical pharmacist, the stinging nettle was discontinued. No additional changes to her medications or supplements were made. One week after discontinuation, she returned to the clinic with complete resolution of the galactorrhea. CONCLUSIONS Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a common supplement and has effects on (1) sex hormone-binding globulin, (2) histamine-induced prolactin release, and (3) serotonin-induced release of thyrotropin-releasing hormone. The local estrogen bioactivity in breast tissue may subsequently lead to gynecomastia and/or galactorrhea. Supplements are an often overlooked but a critical component of medication reconciliation and potential clinical adverse effects.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D011247 Pregnancy The status during which female mammals carry their developing young (EMBRYOS or FETUSES) in utero before birth, beginning from FERTILIZATION to BIRTH. Gestation,Pregnancies
D005260 Female Females
D005687 Galactorrhea Excessive or inappropriate LACTATION in females or males, and not necessarily related to PREGNANCY. Galactorrhea can occur either unilaterally or bilaterally, and be profuse or sparse. Its most common cause is HYPERPROLACTINEMIA. Galactorrheas
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000568 Amenorrhea Absence of menstruation. Postpartum Amenorrhea,Amenorrhea, Postpartum,Postpartum Amenorrheas
D019587 Dietary Supplements Products in capsule, tablet or liquid form that provide dietary ingredients, and that are intended to be taken by mouth to increase the intake of nutrients. Dietary supplements can include macronutrients, such as proteins, carbohydrates, and fats; and/or MICRONUTRIENTS, such as VITAMINS; MINERALS; and PHYTOCHEMICALS. Food Supplements,Neutraceuticals,Dietary Supplementations,Food Supplementations,Herbal Supplements,Nutraceuticals,Nutriceuticals,Dietary Supplement,Food Supplement,Herbal Supplement,Neutraceutical,Nutraceutical,Nutriceutical,Supplement, Food,Supplement, Herbal,Supplementations, Dietary,Supplements, Dietary,Supplements, Food,Supplements, Herbal
D026982 Urtica dioica A plant species of the genus Urtica, family URTICACEAE. Roots have been used to treat PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA. Leaves are edible after the stinging quality is eliminated by brief heating. Nettle, Stinging,Stinging Nettle,Nettles, Stinging,Stinging Nettles,Urtica dioicas,dioica, Urtica

Related Publications

Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
February 2023, Molecules (Basel, Switzerland),
Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
August 1993, Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950),
Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
December 1994, Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology,
Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
August 1986, Archives of biochemistry and biophysics,
Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
January 2022, Access microbiology,
Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
October 2010, International journal of environmental research and public health,
Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
September 2007, Alternative medicine review : a journal of clinical therapeutic,
Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
June 2022, Heliyon,
Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
March 2005, Plant biology (Stuttgart, Germany),
Laura Easton, and Shalini Vaid, and Angela K Nagel, and Jineane V Venci, and Robert J Fortuna
October 2019, Molecules (Basel, Switzerland),
Copied contents to your clipboard!