What is a common cause of engorgement in non-breastfeeding women?

Hormonal changes are a common cause of engorgement in non-breastfeeding women because the body undergoes significant hormonal fluctuations after childbirth. After delivering a baby, the breasts prepare to produce milk due to the increase in hormones like prolactin. In non-breastfeeding women, the stimulation needed for milk removal is absent, and the increase in milk production can lead to fullness and swelling in the breasts, resulting in engorgement.

This condition is often exacerbated by the body's initial expectation to breastfeed, triggering the breast tissue to produce milk. Since there is no demand for milk removal in non-breastfeeding women, the accumulation can create pressure, discomfort, and swelling. Understanding this hormonal interplay is crucial for recognizing why engorgement occurs even in the absence of breastfeeding.