There is discharge from the right breast. Video on the topic. Discharge from the mammary glands

Breast discharge, nipple discharge- a very common cause of complaints with which people turn to a mammologist.

Fluid may leak from one or both breasts, sometimes on its own, sometimes from pressure.

The color of breast discharge can be clear, cloudy, colostrum-like, white, gray, yellow, greenish, purulent, brown or even bloody.

The consistency of the discharge can be thick or completely liquid and watery.

It must be remembered that suddenly appearing breast discharge in non-breastfeeding women are quite an alarming symptom and are often a sign of various serious diseases.

Possible causes of nipple discharge:

. Dilation of the milk ducts (ectasia)- one of the most common causes of pathological discharge from the chest. One or more ducts become inflamed and the duct fills with thick, sticky green or black secretions. Most often occurs in women 40-50 years old. In some cases, surgery is required to remove the affected duct.

. Galactorrhea- secretion of milk, colostrum or milk-like fluid from the mammary glands. The reasons are an increase in the level of prolactin in the body, as well as other hormonal imbalances in the body as a result of taking hormonal contraceptives, insufficiency of thyroid function, pituitary tumor (prolactinoma), etc.

. Mastopathy(usually fibrocystic form). Discharge from the nipples is clear, yellow or green.

Acute or chronic diseases of the pelvic organs(uterus, appendages), as well as condition after abortion or miscarriage

. Closed breast injury. The discharge may be clear, yellow or bloody

. Purulent diseases of the breast(accumulation of pus). Treatment: surgical (opening of the abscess) + antibiotics

. Mastitis(acute infectious inflammation of the mammary glands). Treatment can be either conservative or surgical, depending on the degree of neglect

. Intraductal papilloma(benign tumor). Discharge from the breast is usually bloody and has a thick consistency. Surgical treatment with mandatory histological examination of the removed material (to exclude malignancy)

. Mammary cancer(malignant tumor). Just like intraductal papilloma, it can be asymptomatic. Particularly alarming signs are the presence of spontaneous bloody discharge from only one breast, as well as at the same time an increase in the size of the mammary gland and/or the detection of nodular formations

. Paget's disease(a special form of breast cancer) is a tumor that specifically affects the nipple. Signs of this cancer are burning, itching in the nipple area, redness or darkening of the areola, peeling of the skin of the nipple and areola, changes in the appearance of the nipple (deformation, retraction, ulceration), bloody discharge from the nipple. The standard treatment is a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast). Sometimes it is possible to remove only the tumor within healthy tissue.

If you detect any discharge from the breast, you should consult a mammologist for examination.

To clarify the cause of the discharge and make the correct diagnosis, a thorough comprehensive examination is necessary:

Examination by a mammologist,
. Ultrasound of the mammary glands ,
. cytological examination of nipple discharge,
. blood test for hormones,
. if necessary, mammography with duct contrast.

If, in addition to discharge, there are any warning signs of trouble in the mammary gland, such as swelling, hardening, pain, this is a reason for an emergency unscheduled visit to the doctor and an additional in-depth examination.

Discharge from one nipple deserve special attention and research.

If you have bloody discharge from the chest, you should consult a doctor URGENTLY!

Discharge from the nipples can alert a woman. They do not always indicate a disease - there are normal physiological signs that appear periodically. Women's mammary glands constantly produce secretions that can be released periodically. But at the slightest suspicion that the discharge is unnatural, you should consult a doctor.

Discharge from the nipples of the breast: what is it?

This happens in non-breastfeeding women for various reasons. White, yellow, green, black, transparent discharge from the nipples, and bloody discharge may appear. They can be thin, thick, viscous or sticky. With age and an increase in the number of pregnancies, discharge appears more often and in greater volume.

What is considered normal

Women's breasts produce secretions even during the non-lactation period. It can flow from the nipple itself or appear as a result of pressure. Occasional discharge in small quantities from one or both nipples is normal.

You need to be wary if the discharge:

Are of a permanent nature;

Their color is dark, yellow, blood has appeared;

They have a watery character.

Causes

There are several reasons why discharge from the nipples may appear.

Dilatation of the milk ducts, or ecstasy

This condition is common and is accompanied by a sticky yellow, green or black discharge. Basically, ectasia occurs during menopause, the milk ducts become clogged and inflamed due to changes in the woman’s hormonal levels.

Galactorrhea

Characterized by the release of milk or colostrum from the breast. This condition is not an independent disease, but may indicate hormonal changes in the body, problems with the thyroid gland, tumors or other diseases of the pituitary gland. Galactorrhea can occur not only in women, but also in men and infants.

Mastopathy

With this disease, yellowish, clear or green discharge appears from the nipples of the breast. The cause may be hormonal disorders, heredity, or lack of pregnancy before the age of 30. Mastopathy occurs due to the proliferation of glandular breast tissue, which leads to the appearance of cysts, inflammation, and swelling. This disease has been known for a long time, it can be treated quickly and effectively.

Diseases of the pelvic organs, abortions, miscarriages

The earlier an artificial termination of pregnancy is performed, the fewer changes the female body has undergone, and the less significant the discharge will be.

Closed chest injury

Even minor damage can cause clear, yellow, or bloody fluid to appear.

Purulent breast diseases (abscess)

In this condition, discharge from the nipples is mixed with pus. Treatment is carried out only in a hospital with the help of surgery and the use of antibiotics.

Mastitis, or inflammation of the mammary glands

With this disease, purulent discharge from the nipples appears. This problem occurs most often during breastfeeding. The choice of treatment method depends on the advanced stage of the disease.

Malignant formation in the mammary gland (cancer)

Symptoms may not appear for a long time; signs of breast cancer may include bloody discharge, an increase in the size of the gland, or the appearance of lumps. This cause of fluid discharge from the nipples is the least likely.

Paget's disease

This is breast cancer that appears only in the nipple area. At the same time, the nipple changes appearance, shape, color, itching, burning, and bleeding appear. Treatment is carried out by removing the mammary gland followed by chemotherapy and radiation.

What questions does the doctor ask at the appointment?

If you experience nipple discharge of any kind, you should consult a doctor. The doctor will need to know:

The volume of discharge and its color.

Fluid appears from one breast or from both.

Discharge comes out of one hole in the nipple or from several.

The secretion leaks out on its own or you need to press on the chest to release it.

Is there breast tenderness?

General condition of the body.

Is the appearance of discharge accompanied by fever and pain?

Have there been chest injuries, even minor ones?

What medications is the patient taking?

What tests need to be taken

After examining and interviewing the woman, the doctor recommends an examination. As a rule, a blood test is prescribed, including hormone tests, an MRI or breast ductogram with the introduction of a contrast agent, an ultrasound examination or mammography of the breast, and a cytological analysis of the secreted fluid.

During pregnancy

A woman may notice slight discharge from the nipple during pregnancy at the very beginning. This is due to the fact that the body is preparing for the lactation period. They can be of different colors and volumes. As a rule, this is colostrum, it feels sticky to the touch. But such manifestations may also indicate a disease.

Normal nipple discharge during pregnancy

From the moment of conception, the female body undergoes a lot of changes. This also applies to the chest. There is an increase in its sensitivity, an increase in volume, and a darkening of the nipple areola.

Natural nipple discharge may appear starting from the 16th week of pregnancy. Transparent liquid should not frighten the expectant mother, as it is the norm even outside of pregnancy. It is produced in the milk ducts and is necessary to prevent them from sticking together and becoming overgrown. Hormonal changes during pregnancy enhance this process. The causes of discharge can be stimulation of the nipples, stress, and light massage.

Yellowish or white discharge from the nipple may appear in the second half of pregnancy. Colostrum indicates the readiness of the uterus for childbirth. A woman may notice training contractions that stimulate the production of colostrum.

The physiological norm is white, yellow, transparent discharge from the nipples. Even the itching should not be scary - it is just a consequence of stretching the skin of the chest. To avoid the appearance of stretch marks on the mammary glands, it is necessary to moisturize the skin during the entire period of bearing a child.

When should a pregnant woman see a doctor?

The appearance of nipple discharge during pregnancy is not always the norm; it may indicate a disease. You should consult a doctor if the discharge:

Appear from only one nipple.

Over the course of several days, blood appears.

The nipples hurt, and the discharge is accompanied by poor health and high fever.

One breast became larger than the other, unnatural protrusions and depressions appeared on it.

The discharge is bright yellow.

Aching pain syndrome has developed in the chest area.

There are many reasons for nipple discharge. Timely diagnosis will help to quickly deal with the problem. Advanced breast diseases can lead to the development of a malignant tumor, so if suspicious symptoms appear, consult a doctor immediately.

One of the common symptoms of a variety of diseases: discharge from the breast. Discharge from the mammary glands when pressed - causes and prevention of this symptom. What does nipple discharge mean? How do you know if you should worry or if an unpleasant symptom will go away on its own? Why do they appear?

Let's figure out why fluid appears from the mammary glands and how dangerous it is. Every woman has noticed at least once in her life that discharge appears from the nipple. They can be of very different colors: from transparent to yellow, and do not always indicate a disease. If discharge appears after pregnancy, everything is clear: breast milk has started. But what to do if your chest hurts and fluid leaks for no apparent reason? There is no need to worry, you need to assess the nature of the discharge and accompanying symptoms, and of course, consult a specialist for advice.

The mammary glands are a secretory organ. They are designed to release secretions into the external environment. Breast milk usually begins to flow during pregnancy, and production increases during breastfeeding. Discharge can be bothersome even in the absence of pregnancy. If fluid is released from the breast in quite large quantities for no apparent reason, most likely the problem is associated with a sharp change in hormonal levels. This situation requires mandatory consultation with a doctor, but in the absence of other symptoms, it does not pose a health hazard.

Discharge may appear from only one nipple, or from both. In the first case, they indicate possible problems with the mammary duct and may be a symptom of mastopathy. In the second case, they mean systemic dysfunction.

Clear fluid from the nipples, which is released in small quantities during certain phases of the cycle, is considered normal. You should be concerned if the discharge has an uncharacteristic color (yellow, green) or smell. If they are accompanied by pain, you need to consult a doctor, there is a high risk of developing an infectious process.

What do they indicate?

Nipple discharge in itself is not a specific disease, but can signal problems in the female body. Some of these diseases progress rapidly without appropriate treatment. Therefore, it is important not to self-diagnose and use the help of specialists.

May indicate the following diseases:

• mastitis
• milk duct ectasia
• mastopathy of the mammary glands
• papilloma
• infectious diseases
• consequences of injuries
• malignant neoplasms (as one of many symptoms)

Symptoms

If purulent discharge is observed, mastitis may develop. This is a fairly common diagnosis. The disease is characterized by the accumulation of purulent contents in the mammary glands. With mastitis, white or yellowish discharge is observed, with a green tint, often with an unpleasant odor. Severe and persistent chest pain appears. Symptoms may occur in one breast or both.

If the discharge is abundant, frequent and little related to the phases of the cycle, it may indicate ectasia of the milk ducts. Liquid of viscous consistency, with greenish tints. The development of the disease is rapid, symptoms progress rapidly. This disease most often appears after 40 years of age.

Light and white discharge that looks like clear milk may be a sign of hormonal dysfunction associated with decreased prolactin production. In this case, the main treatment will be to restore normal metabolism. The disease occurs as a result of diseases of the endocrine system, in the presence of tumors, and when taking incorrectly selected oral contraceptives.

Another cause of discharge may be intraductal papilloma. This is a benign formation that occurs in the lumen of the mammary gland duct and most often occurs after 35 years. The main symptom: liquid that will flow only after pressing. If you do not put pressure on the mammary gland, the fluid will not be released. This disease has been little studied, so treatment is prescribed individually, after additional examinations.

Dark or yellow discharge is characteristic of mastopathy. The disease develops due to hormonal imbalances. The chest hurts in the second phase of the cycle. Over time, symptoms progress. Mastopathy is quite easy to treat if you consult a doctor as soon as your breasts begin to hurt, when the first signs of the disease appear.

In some cases, with mechanical injuries, colostrum is released. In the absence of accompanying symptoms, this is not dangerous. If symptoms do not go away within a month, you should consult a specialist.

Pain and discharge are rare with cancer. Fluid may come out of the nipples when pressed. Pressure and palpation also reveal some tenderness. However, oncology is not determined by such symptoms; it has much more eloquent manifestations. Therefore, when fluid appears from the nipples, you should not think about oncology.

Diagnostics

To diagnose a specific disease, a set of methods is used. First of all, the doctor performs a visual examination and palpation. During the study, it is possible to identify compactions and swelling of tissues, delimit the affected areas and find out their nature.

It is clear that visual assessment in most cases is not enough to make a correct diagnosis. As clarifying studies, the following are prescribed: ultrasound, mammography, cytological tests and general blood test. If hormonal diseases are suspected, a separate test for sex hormones and thyroid hormones is prescribed.

Often, you may need to consult a specialist, for example, a gynecologist-endocrinologist. Initially, patients should contact a mammologist or therapist, who, if necessary, can refer them to a doctor with a different specialization.

Prevention

To protect yourself from unpleasant symptoms, it is recommended to remember preventive measures. Women who are breastfeeding or who have given up breastfeeding should especially carefully monitor the condition of the mammary glands. So, breast milk must be expressed on time. If breast milk begins to stagnate, an inflammatory process may develop.

• Conduct self-examinations by mastering simple technology. If lumps are detected, consult a doctor promptly.
• Avoid injury to the mammary glands.
• Use oral contraceptives only after your doctor's approval.

Only a doctor can say exactly why the discharge appeared and how to get rid of it. A certain amount of fluid may be released in a completely healthy woman or it will be evidence of a pathological process.

Treatment

It is worth noting that treatment depends on the disease. All treatment regimens are divided into two large groups: conservative therapy and surgical treatment. The second option is rarely used when tumors are detected. In other cases, treatment will depend on the disease that caused the unpleasant symptoms.

If tests show an infectious process, antibacterial drugs are prescribed. For hormonal imbalances, treatment includes hormone replacement therapy. The main indicator of successful treatment: a pronounced effect during the first two weeks of treatment.

If conservative therapy is ineffective, surgical treatment is prescribed.

It is important to remember that self-medication is dangerous and can lead to complications. One symptom alone cannot make an accurate diagnosis. If discharge appears, you should contact a specialist and follow his recommendations.

The appearance of discharge from the nipples should alert a woman. Breast discharge may occur as a result of natural physiological processes, but can be a sign of various diseases. It is of great importance what color and consistency they are, whether there are any additional complaints, and the woman’s age. Early detection of breast diseases is important for cure. Therefore, the appearance of discharge cannot be ignored, especially if there is a change in the shape or size of the glands. Only a doctor can determine whether there is in this case cause for concern.

Content:

Causes of breast discharge

In some cases, the appearance of clear discharge from the mammary glands is considered normal. Milk production occurs in the alveoli located in the lobules of the mammary gland. The milk ducts carry it from the lobules to the nipple. In the absence of lactation, the ducts are filled with fluid, which can be released only in isolated cases, for example, before menstruation, when the gland is tense and swollen, during sexual intercourse or in case of strong pressure on the breast.

The appearance of colostrum (a clear, yellowish liquid) occurs during pregnancy when the mammary gland swells before milk production begins.

Unusual is the appearance of milky discharge that is not associated with breastfeeding, a change in color and an increase in the intensity of fluid formation. The occurrence of pain in one or both glands simultaneously with discharge from the nipples and an increase in body temperature should also attract attention.

Causes of unusual discharge may include:

1. hormonal disorders associated with diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands, ovaries, brain tumors;
2. taking hormonal contraceptives;
3. treatment of any diseases using hormonal drugs;
4. taking certain other medications, such as antidepressants;
5. benign or malignant tumors of the mammary glands;
6. squeezing by tight underwear;
7. chest injuries.

Types of discharge

The color of the discharge can suggest the cause of the anomaly. The diagnosis is clarified through additional examination.

White

Volume and shades (from white to light brown) may vary. They appear in the form of several drops as a result of strong compression of the mammary gland, since there is always liquid in the ducts, which prevents the walls from sticking together and blocking the ducts.

After stopping breastfeeding, milk discharge continues for several months with a gradually decreasing intensity. This is a natural process. If the volume does not decrease and the discharge persists for more than six months, then you should consult a doctor, as this may be a symptom of pathology.

White discharge from the glands also occurs in the presence of diseases associated with hormonal disorders and increased prolactin levels. Milky white fluid is released from the nipples after an artificial termination of pregnancy. This is also due to hormonal changes in the body.

Purulent

Such discharge may be a symptom of an abscess, a purulent process inside the ducts. An abscess requires emergency treatment with antibiotics and special compresses. In some cases, it is necessary to open the inflammation to clear the pus.

Bloody

The appearance of such discharge from the mammary glands may indicate a benign or malignant neoplasm, which involves small vessels located in the glandular tissue.

Dark green

They appear as a result of inflammation of the milk ducts, which are filled with a thick black-green liquid.

Nipple discharge during pregnancy

During pregnancy, changes in the ratio of hormones occur in a woman’s body; prolactin begins to predominate, stimulating milk production. The breasts swell and the milk ducts expand. Even slight stimulation of the nipples increases fluid secretion. Gradually it thickens, and by the end of pregnancy it turns into colostrum, a thick yellowish mass, sweetish in taste and nutritionally superior to breast milk. For some women, colostrum appears immediately after childbirth, while for others it appears later in pregnancy. The time of appearance of colostrum does not affect subsequent lactation.

Recommendation: There is an opinion that if you express colostrum, there will be more milk later. In fact, this has no effect on lactation, but nipple stimulation can cause uterine contractions. A miscarriage may occur.

Diseases that cause discharge from the breast

Most breast diseases in women occur against the background of hormonal imbalances that occur as a result of age-related changes or disruption of the functioning of other organs.

Galactorrhea

The intensity and duration of lactation is regulated by the hormone prolactin, which is produced in the pituitary gland. Galactorrhea is an abnormal milk production that does not stop 5-6 months after the baby is weaned and is associated with an excessive level of this hormone in the body. Elevated prolactin levels are typical for women aged 45-50 years. The cause of an abnormal increase in hormone levels can be head injuries, brain tumors, diseases of the ovaries, adrenal glands or thyroid gland, liver.

Galactorrhea can occur due to stress experienced by a woman. There is a concept of "idiopathic galactorrhea", that is, milk secretion for no apparent reason. As a rule, this disease is accompanied by menstrual irregularities and decreased libido. Signs of increased prolactin are also growth of facial hair.

Video: Causes and manifestations of hyperprolactinemia

Ectasia of the milk ducts

This is an inflammatory disease of the milk ducts, which is characterized by the appearance of black-green discharge from the mammary glands. The cause is usually hormonal changes that occur at the onset of menopause. This disease is treated with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial agents. Sometimes surgical removal of the affected area is performed.

Video: What is milk duct ectasia

Intraductal papilloma

A benign disease associated with the appearance of growths on the walls of the ducts, spreading to the nipple area. It is dangerous because cells of damaged glandular tissue may degenerate and cancer may occur. The discharge from the nipples is thick and mixed with blood. It is more common in women after 35 years of age.

Mastitis

Abscess, purulent inflammation that most often occurs in nursing women. The cause is cracks that appear on the nipples due to damage to the delicate tissue when the baby sucks milk. In this case, an infection enters the milk ducts. Suppuration of the ducts is accompanied by an increase in the size of the gland, redness, increased temperature, and the appearance of pus in the milk. In this case, breastfeeding is stopped completely, treatment is carried out with antibiotics or the milk duct is opened to remove pus.

Mastopathy

A benign disease that occurs due to the proliferation of breast tissue (glandular and connective). Yellowish or transparent bloody discharge due to mastopathy appears in the second phase of the menstrual cycle. They disappear when menstruation occurs. The appearance of fluid from the nipples is accompanied by pain in the mammary glands. For treatment, drugs are prescribed that restore the normal balance of hormones in the blood. Large nodes formed during mastopathy are removed surgically.

Breast cancer

The discharge may be bloody, clear or thick. In this case, the nipple is retracted due to swelling. Dense areas with jagged edges are felt in the chest. They grow together with the skin, which takes on the appearance of a lemon peel. More often, discharge appears in one breast affected by the tumor.

Examination for unusual nipple discharge

If any unusual discharge from the mammary glands appears, an examination by a gynecologist, mammologist, endocrinologist, or oncologist is necessary to determine their cause and timely diagnosis of the disease.

The examination usually consists of external examination and palpation of the breast, mammography, ultrasound, and blood tests. The examination is carried out to detect tumors and determine their nature, as well as determine the level of hormones in the blood.

When fluid is released from the breast, this phenomenon often indicates the development of breast disease.

The exception is the period of gestation, when such discharge from the breast may appear throughout pregnancy. Therefore, as soon as a non-pregnant woman begins to experience white discharge from the nipples or liquid of any other color over a long period of time, she urgently needs to undergo examination and undergo the treatment prescribed by the doctor as soon as possible.

This symptom should also alert representatives of the stronger sex. After all, it can manifest itself if inflammation of the mammary gland in men or other pathological processes develops. Therefore, fluid from the mammary glands in representatives of both sexes is an alarming sign that should be addressed to a specialist immediately.

What causes discharge?

Women's breasts contain milk ducts, which are located between fibrous and fatty tissue. Each canal has an opening at the top of the nipple. All women have an individual number of ducts, but the maximum number can reach up to fifteen. Through the milk ducts, not only milk and colostrum are produced, but also physiological secretion.

In the absence of diseases or the influence of external negative factors, the following condition is inherent in whitish, transparent discharge from the mammary glands:

• scanty and abundant;
• thick and watery;
• viscous or slimy.

Any uniform consistency of secretion from the canals is normal, but only against the background of a transparent shade of liquid and a small volume. If there is too much discharge, it is not recommended to postpone a visit to the mammologist.

For a certain condition, there are indicators of the norm of physiological secretion:

1. Scanty, thick (one or two drops). It is noted when pressing on the chest in young girls and nulliparous women a few days before menstruation and during increased sexual arousal.
2. Not very abundant, liquid. Characteristic of older women and women who have given birth, but the appearance of thick liquid is possible.
3. Viscous. Colostrum occurs during gestation, breastfeeding, and for several years after cessation of lactation (individual indicator).

What could it be?

The first alarming symptom that indicates a possible disease is discharge from the mammary gland, which occurs when pressed and independently.

The causes of discharge are:

1. Physiological: at birth - engorgement of the glands with the flow of colostrum, the period of pregnancy and lactation, when the gland produces milk, residual discharge after the end of feeding.
2. Pathological-hormonal disorders in the body, age-related changes, inflammatory diseases of the mammary glands, tumors.

Pathological causes of breast discharge

The main causes of pathological discharge are:

1. Chest trauma (blows, bruises). If this happens without violating the integrity of the skin, then within two days the bloody fluid can be easily squeezed out of the nipple.
2. Ductectasia is a disease characterized by pathological dilatation of ducts called subareolar canals. The disease is typical for women after 40, since its main cause is age-related changes. The disease does not pose a health hazard, but only if treated in a timely manner. Otherwise, serious consequences cannot be ruled out.
3. Mastitis and abscess. Illnesses either occur during lactation, or are a consequence of penetration of an infected object. With mastitis, the area of ​​the gland becomes inflamed. The cause is a bacterial infection, in most cases Staphylococcus aureus. With an abscess, pus accumulates in the breast tissue, the affected area is limited from the healthy area.
4. Intraductal papilloma– papillary benign tumor. It appears in the duct near the nipple. Due to the development of the tumor, a thick fluid is released, which sometimes contains blood impurities.
5. Fibrocystic mastopathy– the appearance of compacted areas of tissue in the mammary gland. The condition is dangerous because it can develop into cancer.
6. Malignant neoplasm (breast cancer)– a tumor that forms unnoticed due to uncontrolled cell division. Discharge appears when pressure is applied from both mammary glands or only from one.
7. Galactorrhea is a disease in which pressure from the nipple causes milk to leak, but this does not apply to breastfeeding. The main cause of galactorrhea is hormonal imbalance, excess prolactin. The disease sometimes accompanies diseases of the brain or thyroid gland.
8. Paget's disease is a malignant tumor that involves the nipple or areola. The disease is extremely dangerous and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Physiological causes of discharge

Physiological features explain the discharge:

1. Some time after finishing feeding. Discharge may continue for the next two or three years. It depends on the woman’s age and the number of pregnancies she has had.
2. During pregnancy. In the female breast, preparations take place for the birth of a baby and its feeding. The glands train how to produce milk and remove it. Similar processes occur in the third and final trimester. Increased uterine tone stimulates the secretion of cloudy white or yellowish fluid from both mammary glands.
3. When using contraceptives. Oral contraceptives contain hormones that stimulate lactation. The discharge should disappear after discontinuation of contraceptives. They should be replaced with another type. But it is wise to do this only on the recommendation of a doctor.
4. After an abortion. The presence of discharge and its duration are determined by the period at which the artificial termination of pregnancy occurred. They can bother a woman from several days to a month.

The release of a small amount of clear fluid is possible during treatment with hormonal drugs or the use of antidepressants. The cause could be a too-tight bra or physical overload.

Determining the color

Based on the color of the discharge, the doctor can easily determine the disease that is causing the disease:

1. Yellow. Yellow discharge with a creamy tint (colostrum) is released after childbirth in the first days. If a yellowish tint appears before menstruation and is accompanied by pain, then mastopathy can be assumed.
2. Purulent. They appear when an abscess develops inside the ducts, and are observed with mastitis. Bloody discharge is dangerous. They often indicate a malignant neoplasm.
3. White. Appear after taking contraceptives and with a pituitary tumor.
4. Greens. The dark green color is given by the pus that is released during mastitis.
5. Brown. Occurs when a cyst or tumor forms in the mammary gland. A dark-colored liquid is released when it enters the milk ducts when the capillaries are damaged.
6. Transparent. If they appear before menstruation, this is normal.
7. Bloody. This is a sign of the development of a malignant neoplasm or damage to blood vessels.
8. Black. Observed during the disintegration of a malignant neoplasm.

The amount of fluid released may be small or quite large when it is necessary to use breast pads.

Breast self-examination

In order to “catch” the onset of a disease in time, it is useful to conduct periodic breast examinations yourself. It's easy and doesn't take much time.

The examination is carried out in the first half of the monthly cycle after the end of menstruation

1. Once naked to the waist, you need to stand in front of the mirror. With your hands down, carefully examine your chest to see if there is any redness, swelling, or changes in the shape of the glands. Raise your hands behind your head and examine your chest in this position.
2. Gently squeezing the nipples at the bases, check for any discharge.
3. Holding one hand behind your head, use gentle circular movements to examine each gland from the nipples to the armpits. Repeat the examination in the supine position.

Normally, no hardness or swelling should be felt in the chest. Any oddities should alert you - discharge, inverted nipples, bulges, changes in skin color.

You need to examine your breasts yourself once every 3-4 months, this will allow you to notice any changes in a timely manner.

If you detect discharge from the mammary glands, be sure to consult a doctor immediately. There is no need to panic or be afraid. The vast majority of glandular discharges are not cancer. The term “cancerophobia” is even common among doctors, the fear of this disease is so strong among patients. Timely diagnosis and treatment will prevent the development of complications.

When should you see a doctor?

There are a number of symptoms, if they occur, you should immediately contact a specialist:

• discharge bothers you for more than two days;
• they contain an admixture of blood;
• the secretion comes out of only one mammary gland;
• the discharge has a thick consistency;
• peeling appears on the skin of the nipple;
• loss of symmetry (increase in size, formation of dense knots);
• the color of the nipple and the area around it changes;
• pain appears in the chest.

Discharge from the mammary glands when pressed, as well as any changes in this area should not be ignored. Timely visits to the doctor, diagnosis, and therapy will help avoid complications and serious illnesses.

Competent diagnostics

Pathological processes in the mammary gland are the sphere of influence of the mammologist. When contacting him, you will be assigned:

• mammography;
• microscopy and culture of breast discharge;
• ultrasonography;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• clinical blood test;
• cytological examination;
• tests for the level of various hormones in the body;
• radiography;
• ductography;
• biopsy, etc.

These diagnostic methods allow you to examine the structure of the mammary gland, assess the degree of its functionality, identify the presence of an inflammatory or infectious process, and also eliminate the risk of developing a cancerous tumor.

In addition, the doctor will listen to the patient, analyze her complaints, trace her medical history, and find out about cases of malignant neoplasms in the woman’s family.

He will then conduct a thorough contact examination of the breast. The concentration and appearance of the discharged fluid will be assessed, as well as the presence of blood in it. The specialist will carefully examine the condition of the breast itself. First of all, he will check for compliance with the norm the size, shape, color, type of nipple, its color and the severity of any changes.

If there are nodules, lumps or painful tumors in the patient’s mammary gland, he will conduct a differential diagnosis.

How to treat?

Discharge is not a disease, but only a symptom of it. It is necessary to find out the cause that caused the symptoms of a particular disease in order to select a therapeutic treatment regimen. It can be conservative, but surgical opening of purulent cavities is not excluded:

1. Treatment of galactorrhea involves eliminating the underlying cause of the disease.
2. Therapy for breast discharge with mastopathy is conservative and symptomatic.
3. In Paget's disease, the affected mammary gland is removed followed by a course of chemotherapy.
4. Lacteal duct ectasia is treated with compresses, and if it becomes infected, antibiotics are prescribed. In special cases, surgical treatment is indicated.
5. Mastitis and abscess can be cured with antibiotics or opening the purulent cavities.
6. Intraductal papilloma (benign formation) develops in the milk duct near the nipple. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the affected area.
7. Hormonal imbalance has serious consequences for a woman’s body. A blood test is required to test sex hormones. Hormonal drugs are prescribed for treatment.
8. In case of breast injury, anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed after a mammological examination.

With constant discharge, surgical removal of the dilated milk duct is possible. If a malignant tumor is detected, the patient is referred to an oncologist. She is prescribed a combination treatment, which includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy in various combinations.

Prevention

To prevent the development of breast diseases it is necessary:

1. Maintain optimal body weight and daily physical activity
2. Maintain proper diet and sleep
3. Avoid blows, bruises, cuts, punctures and other damage to the chest and décolleté area.
4. Do not neglect natural feeding
5. Give up bad habits, minimize the number of stressful situations
6. Limit from excessive use of hormonal drugs
7. Be examined by a mammologist twice a year

It is equally important to regularly self-palpate the glands. If there are neoplasms, they can be most clearly felt during menstruation. In everyday life, it is better to use comfortable underwear made of natural fabric. The bra should support the breasts, not compress them.