Discharge from male mammary glands. Breast discharge in women

The development of female breasts begins during puberty and is closely related to the ratio of hormones such as estrogens, progesterone and prolactin. Milk production begins in the ducts and lobules of the mammary gland during pregnancy. Each nipple has holes through which it comes out. If discharge of a different type appears from the mammary glands, then special attention must be paid to this. Often this phenomenon is a sign of a serious illness. The color and smell of the released liquid matters. A mammologist will help determine the cause of the discharge.

General information

Nipple discharge occurs as a result of the formation of secretory fluid in the milk ducts. This can occur both during normal physiological processes and during various pathological conditions of the body.

The fluid appears spontaneously or when the nipple is squeezed. This depends on the individual structural features of the mammary glands of each woman. The discharge may occur in one gland or both. Their consistency can be thick or watery. Colored discharge with an unpleasant odor requires special attention.

When nipple discharge is normal

The norm is the appearance of colostrum in the breast during pregnancy (transparent yellowish discharge that occurs when pressure is applied to the nipple). Colostrum sometimes appears even in the very early stages of pregnancy, when the woman is not yet aware of its onset.

After childbirth, milk is produced in the breast. Lactation continues throughout the entire feeding period and for some time after its end. Milk production stops gradually. If its release from the glands occurs when pressing on the nipple for several months (and even 2-3 years) after breastfeeding is completed, this is also normal.

Often milk appears after an abortion or miscarriage. This is explained by the natural hormonal changes that occur in the condition of the breast during pregnancy. After the hormonal levels are normalized, the discharge disappears.

Addition: Sometimes scanty transparent discharge appears in women on the eve of menstruation when pressing on the nipple. These may be normal hormonal changes characteristic of this phase of the cycle, and various diseases. It is necessary to visit a mammologist to make sure there are no pathologies.

The appearance of clear liquid when pressing on the nipple also occurs in women taking hormonal medications or antidepressants. Sometimes discharge appears due to irritation of the nipples by a tight bra or during physical activity associated with chest tension.

Normal discharge is clear or milky white and odorless. If discharge appears mixed with blood, pus, with any color or unpleasant odor, this indicates the presence of pathology. In addition, such discharge is often accompanied by changes in the condition of the breasts and a deterioration in the woman’s well-being.

Causes of pathology

The causes of pathological discharge from the mammary glands can be inflammatory and tumor processes, hormonal imbalance in the body, and diseases of the pelvic organs. Hormonal disorders occur as a result of the use of certain medications, oral contraceptives, frequent abortions, and diseases of the endocrine system.

Video: Causes of nipple discharge in women

Diseases that cause nipple discharge

Unusual discharge may appear due to the following diseases:

1. Mastitis is inflammation of the breast tissue. The inflammatory process occurs as a result of bacterial infection entering the gland. This can happen during breastfeeding if cracks form on the nipples, as well as with galactorrhea (lactation not associated with breastfeeding).
2. Intraductal papilloma. With this disease, growths form inside the milk duct, which are easily damaged when pressure is applied to the corresponding area of ​​the breast. At the same time, bloody fluid is released from the nipples.
3. Ectasia (dilation) of the milk ducts. This condition is not always a pathology. It occurs, for example, when breasts swell during pregnancy or before menstruation. However, in some cases the process is irreversible. Stretching of the walls of the thoracic ducts leads to the formation of cysts filled with fluid, as well as papillomas. Usually, irreversible enlargement is the result of hormonal changes that occur in the body of women after 40-45 years.
4. Mastopathy. There are different varieties of this disease. All of them are associated with the proliferation of gland tissue. The main symptoms of this pathology are nagging pain in the chest and the appearance of fluid from the nipples, which has a different color and consistency.
5. Galactorrhea. The disease is expressed in the fact that when pressure is applied, milk appears from the nipple, and the process has nothing to do with breastfeeding. The main causes of the disease are hormonal disorders and increased levels of prolactin in the blood. Galactorrhea can occur with diseases of the thyroid gland and pituitary gland.
6. Breast cancer. When discharge from the mammary glands appears, a woman notices asymmetry of the nipples, an enlargement of one of the glands, deformation of the skin, the appearance of compactions and other signs that require urgent diagnosis and treatment.

Liquid of different colors and consistency may be a concomitant sign of diseases of the pelvic organs caused by microflora disorders (thrush, intestinal dysbiosis). Discharge from the nipples occurs with ovarian diseases (chronic inflammation, polycystic disease, malignant tumor). After injuries, inflammatory processes occur in the chest, which lead to the appearance of purulent discharge from the nipple.

Types of discharge from the mammary glands

Based on the color and consistency of the discharge that appears from the mammary glands when pressed, the doctor can guess what disease caused its formation.

Transparent, colorless and odorless. They are mostly of normal physiological origin if they appear before menstruation or with mechanical stimulation of the nipples.

White. These include milk produced after childbirth and during galactorrhea. Appear with tumors of the pituitary gland, after long-term use of birth control pills.

Green. The color is given by the pus that forms during mastitis.

Yellow, creamy discharge occurs during pregnancy and in the first days after childbirth (colostrum). If they occur a few days before menstruation and are accompanied by chest pain, this may be a sign of mastopathy.

Brown. They occur if small vessels are damaged and blood enters the ducts. Such discharge appears during the formation of cysts, as well as breast tumors.

Bloody. May be a sign of cancer growth, compression and damage to blood vessels in the duct area. The color can be both light and dark.

What to do if there is discharge from the nipples

If unusual discharge from the nipples appears, then waiting or self-medicating with folk remedies is dangerous. Under no circumstances should you use heat compresses or warm your breasts in other ways. This will only worsen the inflammatory processes in the tissues.

Do not squeeze liquid from the nipples, as this stimulates increased discharge.

You can take hormonal medications only as prescribed by a doctor. If a woman resorts to hormonal contraception, she should consult with her doctor about changing the contraceptive.

To find out the cause of the pathology and prescribe treatment, you need to visit a mammologist and undergo an examination.

Diagnosis of diseases

Before the examination, the doctor finds out how long ago the discharge appeared, whether it is formed constantly or periodically, whether the woman has pain, whether there have been injuries to the breast, whether the woman has used hormonal drugs.

The diagnosis is established by palpation of the mammary gland, ultrasound, mammography, ductography (X-ray using a contrast agent injected into the ducts). The most accurate results are obtained when examined 2-3 days after the end of menstruation. In the second phase of the cycle, breast swelling occurs, which causes errors in the results.

If oncology is suspected, a puncture is performed (sampling of fluids or tissues from the affected area of ​​the gland). The contents are examined under a microscope to detect atypical cells.

Video: Diagnosis of breast diseases

Prevention of breast diseases

For the purpose of prevention, every woman should be examined by a mammologist once a year. It is also recommended to regularly conduct preventive gynecological examinations and promptly treat diseases of the endocrine system.

Breast self-examination plays an important role, which should be performed once a month. It allows you to detect lumps and external changes in the condition of the mammary glands at an early stage.

It is necessary to avoid hypothermia and chest injuries, stress, and uncontrolled use of medications.

Video: How to do a breast self-examination

www.prosto-mariya.ru

Discharge from the mammary gland when pressed

For expectant mothers, issues related to the mammary gland are always relevant. Discharge from the mammary glands is a sign of serious illness. The reasons are different; to identify them, a full examination is carried out; it is advisable to consult a specialist - a mammologist.

How is the diagnosis done?

The consultation consists of an examination, a set of tests and procedures. They are as follows:

• blood analysis;
• cytology;
• checking the ducts of the mammary glands;
• mammography if necessary;
• Breast ultrasound.

The diagnosis depends on the nature of the discharge: color, structure, data from instrumental studies. The whole complex allows doctors to make the correct diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment.

In the antenatal clinic, to clarify the diagnosis, the patient will have to answer the following questions:

1. Presence of chest injuries
2. Use of contraceptives
3. Behavior of the gland during the menstrual cycle.

This helps specialists identify the correct cause of the problem and implement the correct treatment tactics. An incorrect diagnosis will lead to progression of the disease.

What types of discharge from the mammary glands are there?

A normal gland always contains secretory fluid, which is released through the nipples involuntarily and when pressed. Depending on the pathology, the appearance of the discharge, color and consistency changes. Secretion is accompanied by severe chest pain, headache and fever.

Discharge from the breast can be clear and sticky, dark green, brown, bloody, and purulent. Their nature depends on the pathology of the gland of varying degrees of complexity: mastitis, fibrocystic mastopathy, galactorrhea, papilloma, problems with the milky ducts.

What are the causes of breast discharge?

The female breast responds to any changes in homeostasis. Secretion when pressing on the chest indicates a pathology of the internal organs, ovaries, or a tumor of the pituitary gland. Traumatic injuries lead to yellowish discharge that disappears on its own. Other reasons are as follows:

1. Galactorrhea - white discharge occurs against the background of a satisfactory state of health, in non-lactating women. It is caused by an increase in the body's level of the hormone prolactin, which controls milk production. The color changes from transparent to green.
2. White discharge when pressing on the chest may also indicate a problem with the liver, ovaries, or pituitary tumor.
3. Yellow discharge is a sign of fibrocystic mastopathy; it can be purulent - this is a signal of the presence of infection in the body. This happens with mastitis, an infectious inflammation of the mammary gland tissue due to infection with bacteria of the staphylococcal group. But to accurately determine the infection, a study is carried out, tests are taken, and urgent treatment is prescribed to avoid complications.
4. When women reach the age of forty, there is a risk of dilation of the milk ducts, ductectasia. The discharge is clear and liquid. But if inflammation of the duct occurs, the color changes to brown, and in case of a complex inflammatory process - even black. The consistency also changes, the liquid thickens.
5. Papilloma inside the ducts is a benign formation that causes discharge when pressing on the chest, but the fluid can flow for no reason, it is dark and bloody. The risk of this disease is high; papilloma can become malignant.
6. The most terrible disease is cancer. Symptoms in the early stages are mild, the breasts become enlarged, nodes are felt, and blood-colored discharge is felt. The cause can also be Paget's disease - cancer of the nipple of the breast. It manifests itself as changes in the color of the nipple halo, peeling of the skin, changes in shape, retractions and bloody discharge.
7. Ectasia is treated surgically: the affected duct is removed. If there is pus, antibiotics help, and if urgently necessary, surgery. The papilloma inside the duct is removed and sent for histological examination to determine the malignancy of the formation. For nipple cancer, the entire breast is excised.

Breast self-examination

It is important for a woman to monitor the condition of her breasts; she needs to check her breasts at home in a lying position or standing with her hand on her hip, there is no need to raise her hand high, all fingers are used except the little finger and the thumb, the diameter when pressing should be approximately the size of a coin.

The examination should begin from the armpit area and continue downwards. Small compactions from below during palpation are acceptable. If there is the slightest doubt, the lobules should be checked by a mammologist or oncologist. The breasts are checked at a certain period of the menstrual cycle, from the sixth to the twelfth day.

Discharge from the mammary glands during feeding is normal. In all other cases, it should be checked to prevent the risk of disease. Their initial symptoms are as follows: severe chest pain, lumps, changes in the shape of the breasts, nipples, and their areola. All these dangerous signals can be caused by several reasons:

• tight underwear;
• sedatives;
• low pressure;
• hormonal disorders;
• physical overload;
• taking glucocorticosteroids.

Causes of initial symptoms

In addition to checking the seals, you need to monitor changes in the nipple and the halo around it. The breasts themselves also tend to change their shape. If there is a problem, specialists prescribe hormonal therapy; in advanced cases, surgical intervention is necessary. Therefore, it is important not to delay going to the doctor and to carry out a full diagnosis of the problem area. It is imperative to check your breasts from time to time, consult with a specialist, know the reasons for the risk, lead a healthy lifestyle and not waste time in identifying symptoms that bother you.

grudi.pro

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:

• 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.
• Pathological-hormonal disorders in the body, age-related changes, inflammatory diseases of the mammary glands, tumors.

Physiological secretions

1. When pregnancy occurs already at 2-3 weeks, a slight discharge of colostrum from the nipples is possible. The body's hormonal preparation for breastfeeding begins. The entire period of lactation and some time after the end of up to 2-3 years, milk is released from the breast.
2. Small transparent discharge from the mammary glands, when pressed, can flow out in non-pregnant women in the absence of diseases - this is a sterile liquid formed by the gland and discharged out. Normally these are scanty, colorless, odorless drops. Appear for several reasons:
   • when squeezing the nipples;
   • wearing a tight bra;
   • before the start of the menstrual cycle;
   • when taking oral contraceptives.

Such discharges are not pathological in nature, that is, they do not indicate the presence of a disease, but they are not the norm in the usual sense - their appearance indicates a violation of a healthy lifestyle or hormonal fluctuations.

A medical examination of the mammary glands - ductography - involves the introduction of a contrast agent, which is released from the nipples after the procedure.

Signs of pathology

The appearance of discharge from the mammary glands in the absence of pregnancy and in non-lactating women indicates the development of pathology. Signs such as the color of the discharge, smell, abundance, and thickness are important.

It is worth paying attention to the presence of other symptoms: engorgement, pain, changes in the color and shape of the nipples and surrounding areolas, redness of the breast skin, changes in the shape of the gland. One or more signs indicate the onset of the disease and the need for urgent examination.

Chest injury

If the mammary gland is injured (bruise, sharp compression), fluid may leak from the nipple when pressed, sometimes mixed with blood. The consequence of injury can be the formation of an abscess - an accumulation of purulent contents.

Ectasia of the milk ducts

With the onset of menopause, the ratio of fat and connective tissue in the mammary gland changes, the ducts can expand and become deformed. Ectasia (ductectasia) of the milk duct develops, which is also called plasmacytic mastitis. The discharge is mucous and green or mixed with black. There may be no painful sensations.

The development can also be caused by previous purulent mastitis or post-traumatic inflammation. Excessive milk production during lactation can lead to dilation of the milk duct. Despite the fact that ectasia itself is not a serious disease, it may indicate the onset of an oncological process and requires careful examination and treatment.

Diagnosis of ectasia, in addition to conventional mammography and ultrasound, involves cytological examination of discharge for malignant degeneration.

Treatment of ectasia in most cases is therapeutic: prescribing a course of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, immunomodulators, correcting hormonal levels, applying compresses. If the condition does not improve, sectoral resection is prescribed - the affected duct is surgically removed.

Intraductal papilloma (cystadenopapilloma)

For various reasons (due to injury, hormonal imbalance), a mushroom-shaped growth - papilloma - can form inside the milk duct. This is a benign tumor that produces a liquid secretion, which is released from the duct.

Non-inflammatory papilloma does not cause pain; its obvious signs are viscous bloody discharge from the mammary gland. When an infection penetrates, inflammation is possible - the tumor becomes hard to the touch, can be easily felt, and the characteristic discharge is yellow, mixed with pus.

Cystadenopapilloma is a precancerous disease; when it is detected, it requires not only general examinations - mammography and ductography, but also taking a puncture from the tumor in order to determine its possible malignancy. Treatment is only surgical - a sectoral resection is performed, the tumor and part of the milk duct are removed. The chest is preserved.

Fibrocystic mastopathy (fibrocystic)

Caused by hormonal fluctuations. Fluid-filled cysts form in the breast tissue. With this condition, nipple discharge is usually brown or greenish. In addition to discharge, symptoms of mastopathy include swelling, thickening of the glands, and a feeling of fullness, especially before menstruation.

Fibrocystic disease requires therapeutic treatment and constant monitoring. With a favorable course of mastopathy, the cystic tissue gradually resolves, malignant degeneration is rare.

Mastitis

This inflammation of the breast tissue is caused by a penetrating staphylococcal infection and is purulent in nature, most often developing in nursing mothers. In this case, purulent foci - abscesses - form inside the gland, their contents are released through the nipples. General health may deteriorate and the temperature may rise. Antibiotics are used to treat mastitis. In severe cases, if the discharge from the chest is profuse, an operation is performed to remove the purulent contents.

Galactorrhea

In this condition, colostrum is released from the nipples - a thick or thin white secretion that resembles milk. It occurs in non-pregnant, nulliparous women, men and even children. Galactorrhea is not an independent disease - it is a symptom of increased production of prolactin (milk hormone). A malfunction in the body causes dysfunction of the thyroid gland, which in a healthy state “inhibits” milk production. Galactorrhea can be caused by diseases of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus - parts of the brain that regulate the functioning of the hormonal system.

The pathology is treated by eliminating the causes: after excluding possible pregnancy, a blood test is performed for the presence of thyroid hormones, sex hormones, magnetic resonance imaging of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus, and a course of hormonal therapy is prescribed. If brain or thyroid tumors are detected, surgery may be required.

Breast cancer

With a malignant tumor in the mammary gland, discharge is quite rare and is possible in two cases:

• intraductal cancer - located in the milk duct;
• in late advanced stages of cancer;
• discharge comes from only one gland affected by the tumor.

The discharged fluid is bloody, yellow or mixed with pus. With cancer, there is a change in the shape and color of the nipple, its retraction, a possible change in the size and shape of the gland, the axillary lymph node enlarges, and a hard lump can be felt in the breast.

Breast cancer is diagnosed in most cases during a self-examination or an appointment with a mammologist. The detected compaction is examined using mammography, ultrasound, MRI, and biopsy.

A malignant tumor that does not have metastases can be removed using sectoral resection, in which case it is possible to save the breast. If the tumor is large, a mastectomy is performed - the entire gland and adjacent affected tissue are removed.

Only about 5% of all detected tumors turn out to be cancerous, but you cannot delay contacting a doctor if you discover strange signs. Any pathological process can give rise to the development of cancer.

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.

Types of discharge, reasons

conclusions

A competent approach to identifying diseases will certainly prevent serious consequences and maintain health. Bringing together the main causes of discharge from the mammary gland, we can highlight the main thing:

• Any discharge appearing from the nipples, except milk in pregnant and lactating women, indicates disorders in the body and requires diagnosis.
• Pathology can be detected in a timely manner by regularly examining the breasts and visiting a mammologist.
• You cannot self-medicate - the diagnosis must be made by a doctor.

drlady.ru

Discharge from the mammary glands when pressed

A woman may discover discharge from the mammary glands by accident. They appear when pressed and can leave barely noticeable stains on the laundry.

If a woman is not feeding the baby at this time or has not had to give birth at all, you should definitely be wary. Discharge is not necessarily associated with pathology, but the breast is very vulnerable and it is necessary to check its health.

Physiological causes of discharge

Like most phenomena, discharge from the chest when pressed can occur for the following reasons:

• physiological;
• pathological.

Physiological features explain the discharge:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

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.

Pathological causes of breast discharge

The main reasons for discharge are:

• 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.
• Chest injury (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.
• Intraductal papilloma is a 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.
• Mastitis and abscess. Ailments 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.
• Galactorrhea is the discharge of milk or colostrum from the nipples, not associated with breastfeeding. The most common cause is an increase in the blood hormone prolactin (hyperprolactinemia) or an increase in estrogen levels.
• Fibrocystic mastopathy is the appearance of dense areas of tissue in the mammary gland. The condition is dangerous because it can develop into cancer.
• Malignant neoplasm (breast cancer) is a tumor that forms unnoticed due to uncontrolled cell division. Discharge appears when pressure is applied from both mammary glands or only from one.
• Paget's disease is a malignant tumor that involves the nipple or areola. The disease is extremely dangerous and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Discharge from the breast may be caused by diseases of the genitourinary organs.

Discharge from the mammary gland can be lactation (breast milk after the baby is born) and non-lactation. The latter may be symptoms of dangerous diseases. They differ in color and consistency, for example, yellow discharge from the mammary glands. Based on the characteristics of discharge from the mammary gland when pressed, the doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis, which is then confirmed by diagnostic studies.

How does this happen

Breast secretions pass through the same ducts as breast milk. However, it is not at all necessary that liquid will flow out of all channels at the same time. It often happens that discharge comes out of only one gland. It is important to remember the nature of the discharge and its frequency in order to inform the mammologist to make the correct diagnosis.

Discharge from the mammary glands appears when pressure is applied for completely different reasons. It could be oncology or a simple hormonal imbalance in the body. In order not to guess how this will turn out, you should visit a doctor.

With age and the number of pregnancies, the risk of discharge from the mammary glands when pressed increases.

When discharge is normal

In some situations, discharge from the mammary glands is normal.

Sterile liquid

Transparent liquid from the mammary glands is a secretion, sometimes released in small quantities. It is not only colorless, but also odorless.

The appearance may be associated with:

White liquid

For pregnant and lactating women, white discharge from the mammary glands is quite normal, as it is milk. In expectant mothers, fluid is released in a smaller volume, only with pressure. For some period of time after lactation, milk may still be released, this is also normal.

Pathologies

Discharge from the mammary glands when pressed, which is accompanied by an unpleasant odor and bright color, is the main sign of a serious disease.

Dilation of the ducts

When the ducts in the soft tissues of the breast expand, fluid is released when pressure is applied to the mammary gland. This is due to the fact that a very viscous dark-colored mass affects the milky ways and changes their shape. The pathology may be accompanied by an inflammatory process, but this is not necessary. The color of the discharge depends on the individual.

Drug and alternative treatment does not solve the problem, it can only alleviate the condition. Ectasia can only be cured by surgery.

Injury

Bloody discharge from the mammary gland can appear due to a severe injury, for example, when hitting an exercise machine. They appear within two days, accompanied by painful sensations.

Injury can trigger the appearance of tumors in the chest and inflammatory processes.

Fluid from the mammary glands when pressed occurs in cases where papilloma, a benign tumor, forms in the milk ducts.

However, it does not occur as a symptom of a virus, but for reasons still unknown to science. This disease can only be treated surgically. The discharge does not have a specific character.

Mastitis

Purulent discharge from the mammary glands when pressed appears due to inflammation of the breast area. Mastitis is a disease characteristic of the breastfeeding period.

Associated signs are fever, chills, general deterioration of health, pain at the site of compaction. Pus is released from the mammary gland in case of an abscess, the difference of which is not inflammation of the area, but the accumulation of pus in the mammary gland in one place.

Galactorrhea

If a girl has never given birth or been pregnant, but she produces milk, this is due to a hormonal surge in prolactin.

This can happen after frequent nipple stimulation or taking hormonal medications.

Mastopathy

The disease in the fibrocystic form is usually accompanied by dark discharge from the mammary glands when pressed. Apart from this sign, a woman may not have other symptoms.

However, if discharge appears, you should urgently consult a specialist, because such symptoms indicate the transition of mastopathy to oncology.

A malignant tumor is manifested not only by dark and unpleasant-smelling discharge from the mammary gland, but also by its external deformation.

As soon as a woman notices such a sign, an urgent consultation with a doctor is necessary, who will refer her for a diagnostic examination to confirm or refute the diagnosis.

Nipple cancer

Bloody discharge is a symptom not only of injury, but also of oncology.

If the nipple is peeling, retracted, red, and the areola is itchy, it may be Paget's disease.

Types and color of discharge

The color of the discharge suggests a disease:

1. Greens. Thick and slimy green discharge from the mammary glands when pressed is a sign of progressive mastopathy. Side symptoms: pain, fever, compaction in the affected areas. Greenish discharge from the mammary glands when pressed occurs in young girls with mastitis.
2. Yellow. If the yellow discharge from the mammary glands when pressed is light or milky in color, there is no point in worrying. This happens due to hormonal changes in the body associated with pregnancy. Yellow purulent discharge from the chest is a sign of inflammatory and infectious processes. Accompanied by severe discomfort, fever, and swelling of the chest.
3. Brown. Bleeding occurs in the milk ducts due to the development of tumors. This is accompanied by brown discharge from the mammary glands when pressed. In addition, fluid of this color from the breast is a clear sign of cancer or mastopathy.
4. Transparent. Due to frequent stress, reduced immunity, and hormonal imbalance, clear discharge from the mammary glands occurs when pressure is applied. If they do not cause discomfort, are not accompanied by heat, swelling or a foul odor, then this is normal. In older women, duectasia may also cause clear discharge from the mammary glands when pressed. They also accompany mild chest injuries and occur after sexual intercourse.
5. Black. Black discharge from the breast is the most dangerous. Their constant companions are severe pain in the mammary glands and changes in their shape. They occur both in severe cases of mastopathy and in cancer. An urgent visit to a doctor is required.
6. Bloody. This fluid can be seen after a severe bruise. Also, spotting is a symptom of a benign or malignant tumor.

Diagnostics

The mammologist sends for diagnostic tests to determine why fluid is released from the mammary glands.

What types of examinations can he order?

1. Ultrasound of the mammary glands.
2. Mammography.
3. Analyzes of nipple discharge (cytology and culture for microflora).
4. Ductography.
5. MRI of the pituitary gland (located in the brain).
6. Blood test for hormones.

Treatment and prognosis

As soon as a woman notices that fluid is coming out of her nipple, she should see a specialist. He will prescribe examination methods, after which he will determine the diagnosis, according to which he will select treatment.

Therapy may include conservative methods of therapy: antibiotics, hormonal drugs. This is prescribed, for example, when pus appears from the mammary gland. But there are cases when the only way to get rid of the disease is surgery.

Traditional methods of treatment usually do not give the desired result; they may have a short-term effect, relieve the pain a little, remove some symptoms, but they will not completely cure the disease. It is better to include methods of traditional treatment in a complex of therapy, but not to be treated in any way using only them.

The more dangerous the diagnosis, the worse the prognosis. It also depends on the stage at which treatment began. If the discharge is related to human physiology, then it will soon go away on its own.

Prevention

A woman should always monitor the health of her reproductive system. The mammary glands are often subject to hormonal changes, so they may be the first to indicate that something is wrong in the body.

To avoid diseases that are accompanied by fluid from the nipples, you need to:

1. Avoid stress.
2. Adhere to a healthy lifestyle (giving up bad habits, a balanced daily menu, sports).
3. Monitor your weight and adjust it if it is overweight.
4. When choosing hormonal medications, be sure to contact an experienced doctor, who, based on tests and examinations, will prescribe a remedy that is suitable individually. However, you need to remember that you cannot take it for a long period!
5. Conduct breast self-diagnosis.
6. Regularly visit a mammologist or gynecologist for preventive examinations. Women over 30 years old should do this at least once a year.

Discharge from the mammary glands when pressed can vary in color, smell and consistency. So they indicate various diseases in the female body. But there are cases when the fluid released from the nipples is associated with physiological processes. In any case, it is better to make an appointment with a doctor so that he can diagnose and recommend treatment.

Video

Our video will tell you what nipple discharge means.

Discharge from the mammary glands during non-lactation periods is normal, because the secretory function of the mammary gland is natural. Secretion can occur either from both breasts or from just one, while the secretion is sometimes released through the same ducts that are used to remove milk from the breast. Discharge from the chest can go on its own, sometimes this can happen only with pressure, the strength of the impact varies in each case.

In older women, this phenomenon occurs more often, and the number of pregnancies has a direct impact on the likelihood of the onset of discharge.

Nipple discharge: reasons for increased secretion volume

The ducts that serve to transfer milk to the nipple constantly contain a certain amount of fluid, which is released from time to time. An increase in the volume of fluid removed may be due to the following reasons:

- taking antidepressants;

Wearing tight underwear;

Decreased blood pressure;

Hormonal disorders;

Mechanical impact on the chest of significant force;

Hormonal therapy;

Carrying out mammography.

The color of the discharge can vary from clear or milky to yellow or green, and the consistency varies from thin to slimy. The secretion may have an unpleasant odor; a sign of a pathological process is constant discharge from the breast of an unusual nature (the volume, consistency or color of the discharge increases).

Types of discharge from the mammary glands

Below we will describe the most common types of discharge and the reasons that cause them.

Black-green discharge from the breast

It is a consequence of a disease called mammary duct ectasia. Most often it affects women aged 40 to 50 years, in this case inflammation of the milk duct occurs. The result of the inflammatory process is the filling of the affected duct with a thick substance that has a black-green color, which can be seen when pressing on the chest.

Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial drugs are used for treatment; at home, warm compresses on the chest provide some relief. To treat advanced cases, it is necessary to perform surgical excision of the inflamed duct.

White discharge from the mammary glands

This type of discharge indicates galactorrhea caused by an excess of prolactin, the hormone responsible for milk production. During pregnancy or childbirth, such discharge is not pathological; you should be wary in two cases:

- if the discharge has not stopped even 5 months after stopping feeding;

If the discharge begins in a non-pregnant or non-lactating woman.

The color of the secreted fluid can be milky, yellow or brownish, its quantity can also vary (depending on the severity of galactorrhea). It is worth remembering that the appearance of one or two drops of such secretion when pressing on the chest is the norm.

Since not only prolactin is involved in the lactation process, galactorrhea is not always caused only by its excess. The reasons that cause the appearance of discharge of this kind include:

- dysfunction of the hypothalamus caused by injury, external pressure or tumors;

Reflex activation of the mammary glands (stimulation of the pectoral nerve during surgery, after burns and injuries, with mastitis or herpes zoster, mechanical stimulation or sucking);

Pituitary tumor;

Kidney or liver failure;

Long-term use of certain medications;

Diseases of the adrenal glands or thyroid gland;

Ovarian diseases.

However, quite often it is not possible to establish the cause of the discharge; such galactorrhea is called idiopathic.

Bloody discharge from the breast

They can be caused by intraductal papilloma, which is a benign formation located in the milk duct.

Discharge may occur on its own, or begin only when the nipple is stimulated.

Clear discharge from the breast

As noted above, this type of discharge is normal, but in some cases, clear discharge may be the result of blunt trauma to the chest.

Purulent discharge

It can be observed with mastitis that has turned into an abscess, in which pus accumulates in the breast tissue.

Discharge from the breast during pregnancy

During pregnancy, in addition to other external signs, it is possible to secrete colostrum - a watery, yellowish liquid that tastes sweet. At first, nipple discharge during pregnancy is yellow and thick, but later it begins to discolor and thin out. The appearance of colostrum is an individual phenomenon; in some pregnant women, its release may begin only after childbirth.

In the sixth or seventh month, the discharge from the breast may become watery with bloody spots in it. This is due to the body’s increased production of oxytocin and prolactin, hormones responsible for the production and flow of milk into the ducts. This type of discharge is normal, however, to exclude the possibility of diseases, it is better to consult a mammologist.

If uncharacteristic discharge from the breast appears, we recommend visiting our medical center and consulting with a specialist in breast diseases. A qualified doctor, based on palpation and medical history, will prescribe additional tests, which include mammography, ultrasound, blood tests for tumor markers and a general blood test.

All studies are carried out using modern equipment; this approach, coupled with the high qualifications of our specialists, allows us to accurately diagnose and achieve quick and effective treatment of diseases.

The appearance of discharge from the nipples is one of the main complaints with which patients turn to a mammologist. Fluid from the breast may leak spontaneously or appear only when the nipple is squeezed.

The color of the discharge from the nipples can be different: white, yellow, gray, bloody. Their consistency is watery, liquid or thick.

And if the discharge from the nipples during pregnancy of a whitish liquid (colostrum) is the norm, then in all other cases any discharge from the breast is, most often, a symptom of some diseases of the mammary glands.

Causes of nipple discharge:

• Ectasia (dilation) of the milk ducts. An inflammatory process occurs in several or one milk duct, as a result of which exudate begins to accumulate in it. The disease usually occurs in women over 40 years of age. Its first sign is the appearance of dark or green discharge from the nipples. Treatment is usually conservative, but sometimes surgery may be required to remove the affected duct.
• White nipple discharge is most often seen with galactorrhea and is a milky fluid, colostrum or milk. Such discharge from the nipples during pregnancy, as we said above, is the norm. In all other cases, they are a symptom of hormonal imbalance in a woman’s body. Therefore, if you have white discharge from your nipples, then you should definitely visit a mammologist and endocrinologist. You should also donate blood for prolactin and thyroid hormone levels. Galactorrhea can sometimes occur in women taking oral contraceptives.
• The appearance of transparent yellow or green discharge from the nipples can be observed in fibrocystic mastopathy.
• Closed chest injury. In this case, bloody discharge from the nipples is observed. In some patients they are not bloody, but yellow in color.
• Transparent discharge from the nipples can appear against the background of acute or exacerbation of chronic diseases of the female genital organs, as well as after an early miscarriage or induced abortion.
• Mastitis. When purulent melting of breast tissue occurs, purulent discharge appears from the nipples. In this case, treatment is carried out by a surgeon and consists of opening the abscess, draining its cavity and prescribing antibiotics.
• Intraductal papilloma. It is a benign tumor located inside the cavity of the milk duct. One of the symptoms of this disease is the appearance of bloody discharge from the nipples, which has a fairly thick consistency. Treatment is surgical with mandatory histological examination of the removed breast tissue.
• Mammary cancer. The disease is asymptomatic for a long time. One of its first signs is the appearance of bloody discharge from the nipple from the affected breast. Often, a woman notices an enlargement of the same breast and the appearance of a nodular neoplasm in its thickness. Some patients complain that their nipples hurt and discharge from the chest is spontaneous.
• Paget's disease. This disease is a special form of breast cancer that primarily affects the nipple. With Paget's disease, the appearance of the nipple changes (retraction inward, deformation), its color (darkening or redness). Often patients complain that they have discharge and the nipple hurts or there is itching and burning in the area. Surgical treatment for Paget's cancer is removal of the mammary gland (mastectomy).

Nipple discharge: what to do?

If you find discharge from your nipples, you should definitely come to see a mammologist. To make an accurate diagnosis, laboratory and instrumental examinations are required:

• Ultrasound examination (ultrasound) of the mammary glands;
• Mammography;
• Blood test for hormones;
• Cytological examination of nipple discharge.

Remember that the appearance of any discharge from the mammary glands always requires special attention and a mandatory in-depth examination. This is especially true for bloody discharge from the nipple; if this occurs, you should consult a doctor immediately!

Video from YouTube on the topic of the article:

One of the most common symptoms of breast diseases is nipple discharge, which is observed in 7% of mammologist patients. In most cases, this symptom is caused by non-life-threatening conditions. Approximately 5% of women with this symptom are subsequently diagnosed with a malignant tumor of the gland. To find out what nipple discharge means, you need to see a doctor.

Why is this happening?

It is possible to distinguish physiological, benign and dangerous malignant causes of nipple discharge.

Physiological

Such factors are natural for a woman. One of the reasons for the appearance of secretion is lactation, that is, the production of breast milk after childbirth. The mammary glands also synthesize colostrum in late pregnancy and in the first days after the birth of the child.

Clear, colorless liquid from the nipples may appear outside of pregnancy. This is caused by hormonal imbalance. After the cessation of menstruation (postmenopause), such signs should not appear.

Benign

Diseases that may be accompanied by the appearance of liquid contents from the nipples, and are benign:

• (a non-cancerous tumor resembling a polyp located in the gland duct);
• chronic inflammatory process – mastitis;
• fibrocystic disease resulting from hormonal imbalances;
• dilation, or ectasia, of the milk ducts;
• (benign tumor);
• ductal hyperplasia - thickening of the walls of the ducts;
• nipple adenoma (benign tumor).

In addition to diseases of the glands themselves, the appearance of secretion is often accompanied by hyperprolactinemia, eczema or atopic dermatitis of the nipple.

Of these diseases, a similar symptom is most often associated with ectasia of the gland ducts.

Separately, it should be noted that clear, colorless discharge from the nipples is sometimes observed when using medications, primarily metoclopramide and domperidone. These substances are part of popular drugs to eliminate nausea and motion sickness - Cerucal, Ceruglana, Motilium, Passazhiks and others.

Malignant

These are precancerous or cancerous diseases:

• atypical ductal hyperplasia - thickening of the walls of the duct, in which the precursors of cancer cells appear;
• ductal carcinoma in situ - a superficial tumor on the wall of the duct;
• lobular carcinoma in situ - limited small tumor of the glandular structures of the organ;
• invasive ductal carcinoma or lobular carcinoma - malignant tumors that grow in the gland tissue, affecting the lymph nodes and distant organs;
• – cancer of the nipple and areola area.

When a malignant tumor disintegrates, black discharge is observed, the appearance of which requires urgent medical attention.

The nature of the secretion in various pathologies - general signs

For benign conditions:

• usually bilateral;
• appear when pressed;
• without impurities and lumps;
• with a sticky consistency;
• Colorless, but can also be colored - from white to yellow or green.

Bloody nipple discharge is also more often associated with benign diseases. However, they can also be caused by cancer. Therefore, when such a symptom appears, an in-depth examination by a doctor is necessary.

For malignant diseases:

• appear on one side;
• arise spontaneously, leak without pressure;
• there is clear, light, pink or bloody discharge;
• When palpated in the chest, an area of ​​compaction is detected, and the axillary lymph nodes are enlarged.

Based on the color of the secreted fluid, one can assume a possible cause of the pathology:

• white, yellow or green discharge from the nipples is characteristic of inflammatory processes, primarily mastitis;
• dark green and thick appear when ductal cysts suppurate;
• brown ones occur with ectasia of the milk ducts;
• transparent, watery – with;
• bloody - with cancer or papilloma.

This symptom may manifest itself in combination with other signs of breast disease:

• pain, increased sensitivity;
• palpable formation in the tissue;
• inverted nipple, uneven skin, discoloration, redness or itching of the skin;
• change in the size of one of the glands;
• fever;
• menstrual irregularities;
• nausea and vomiting;
• weakness, weight loss or gain.

Learn more about an alarming symptom, as a norm or a manifestation of pathology

This symptom has characteristics for various gynecological and endocrine problems, as well as physiological conditions.

Pregnancy

Normally, before and after the birth of a child, colostrum and then milk begin to be released from the breast. Discharge from the nipples during pregnancy in earlier stages appears when the gland is preparing for lactation, its ducts become wider, and its cells are renewed. This occurs under the influence of hormones, and at the same time the skin on the nipples and areolas darkens. The color of this liquid is white or light yellow. Colostrum can appear in the 3rd trimester, less often from the 20th week and extremely rarely at the very beginning of pregnancy, however, this is also a normal condition.

At the beginning of breastfeeding, the glands become coarse, and the amount of colostrum may be insignificant. With regular breastfeeding, secretory activity improves. If your breasts become soft as a result of feeding, pumping, or nipple discharge, this is a normal sign.

Not all women develop this symptom during pregnancy. During the 2nd and subsequent pregnancies, sensations in the breasts may also change. Lack of secretion does not mean that there will be difficulties with breastfeeding.

However, there are two cases when you should definitely consult a doctor:

• pinkish or bloody color of the liquid;
• the appearance of lumps in the chest, especially painful or sensitive when palpated.

Before childbirth, the glands increase evenly, and the appearance of dense foci can be a symptom of a dangerous disease.

Menstrual cycle

Normally, at the end of the second phase of the menstrual cycle, the level of progesterone in the blood decreases. If this does not happen, discharge from the nipples appears before menstruation. This can happen with diseases of the ovaries, and often there is painful engorgement of the mammary glands, irregularity of the cycle, and a change in its duration. Fluid secretion before menstruation may also be associated with hormonal contraceptives.

Regardless of the phase of the cycle, the appearance of a small amount of fluid from the breast is sometimes associated with its stimulation during sexual intercourse. The hormone oxytocin, released during excitement, causes contraction of the muscles of the milk ducts and the release of their transparent contents.

The appearance of such a symptom after menstruation is not specific to any one disease. This can happen with a malignant tumor of the gland, and with hyperprolactinemia and other hormonal disorders.

During perimenopause, the female body undergoes significant hormonal changes. The function of the ovaries gradually fades away; to maintain it, the work of the hypothalamic-pituitary system can be activated. However, at the same time, the risk of breast malignancy increases. Therefore, the appearance of secretion from the nipples during menopause should always be a reason to contact a gynecologist or mammologist.

If the patient has undergone surgery for some reason, this does not affect the functioning of her mammary glands. Therefore, after removal of the uterus, the appearance of fluid from the mammary glands can be both a normal sign and a symptom of pathology.

Fibrocystic disease

Not all patients experience nipple discharge. They appear if the pathology is accompanied by severe hormonal disorders. If they are watery or contain blood, you should definitely consult a doctor.

Mastitis and other infectious lesions

Inflammation or usually caused by bacteria, less commonly viruses or fungi. The most common development is lactation mastitis, which occurs when pathogenic microflora multiply during breastfeeding. The disease is accompanied by chest pain, swelling, redness, and white or yellow discharge from the nipple.

In severe cases, a pyogenic microflora develops in the tissues of the gland, and an abscess, gangrenous or phlegmonous, is formed. In this case, the breast is significantly enlarged, very painful, and purulent discharge may appear from the nipple. The only treatment for this condition is surgical – opening and cleaning the abscess cavity.

Hyperprolactinemia

Prolactin is normally produced by the pituitary gland in small quantities. Its secretion increases significantly during breastfeeding, ensuring the restructuring of gland tissue and the formation of milk in it. If a woman is not pregnant or breastfeeding, the appearance of milk in her is called and is associated with an abnormal increase in the amount of the hormone prolactin.

Hyperprolactinemia can result from the following conditions:

• long-term breast stimulation;
• constant or sudden severe stress;
• injury to the mammary gland;
• intense mechanical action of the partner during sexual intercourse;
• pituitary tumor;
• diseases of the thyroid gland, especially with a decrease in its function - hypothyroidism;
• renal or liver failure;
• taking oral contraceptives, antidepressants, and some medications against hypertension.

With increased prolactin, a white liquid resembling milk appears from the nipples. This symptom can also be observed in men. In this case, it always serves as a symptom of some disease.

Mammary cancer

Fluid from the nipples may begin to be released at an early stage of the disease, especially if the tumor is localized in the gland duct. Therefore, even with the isolated appearance of this symptom, you should urgently be examined by a doctor.

The likelihood of a malignant tumor increases in the following situations:

• the secretion is watery or contains blood;
• palpable dense formation in the chest;
• enlarged axillary lymph nodes;
• nipple retraction;
• breast deformation, “lemon peel” on the skin.

Nipple discharge in men

In 75% of cases this is a sign of breast cancer.

Breast cancer in men is very rare and accounts for less than 1% of all cases of malignant tumors of this organ. The disease is accompanied by the appearance of compaction and pain in the gland tissue. If discharge appears, you should contact a surgeon or oncologist as soon as possible.

In addition to the tumor, this symptom may be associated with hyperprolactinemia. It occurs quite rarely in men and is caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland.

The principles of diagnosis and treatment of such conditions in men are the same as in women.

What to do if there is discharge from the nipples?

If such a symptom is observed in women who are not pregnant or breastfeeding, it is necessary to find out its cause. Doctors are especially concerned about cases that occur in women over 40 years of age when there is constant discharge from one gland, mixed with blood and/or the presence of a lump. Another risk factor for breast cancer is a family history of the disease.

If a patient uses any drug for hormone replacement therapy or contraception, which is accompanied not only by discharge, but also by pain and swelling, the doctor should replace the drug with a safer one.

Laboratory research

The following tests are used for diagnosis:

1. Determination of prolactin level. This hormone regulates the production of breast milk. It is determined to exclude a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor.
2. Thyroid-stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the activity of the thyroid gland. Its level is determined to exclude hypothyroidism.
3. Human chorionic gonadotropin, or pregnancy test, to exclude physiological causes of this symptom.

If a malignant tumor is suspected, the doctor may prescribe a cytological examination of the secretion of the mammary glands to determine malignant cells in it. However, this study does not always help to identify a tumor, so it is rarely used.

A skin biopsy is performed for Paget's cancer of the nipple or areola. Symptoms of the disease include eczema-like skin changes (itching, cracking, dryness, flaking) and yellowish discharge from the nipple. A puncture biopsy can confirm the diagnosis.

Instrumental diagnostics

1. – X-ray examination of the mammary glands to identify compactions, calcium deposits, asymmetry, and abnormalities in the vascular pattern; used in women over 35-40 years of age and often helps detect early stage cancer.
2. prescribed to women under 35 years of age for the differential diagnosis of lumps and fluid-filled cysts, and is also used during targeted biopsies and during surgical operations.
3. Ductography is the study of the gland ducts after the introduction of a radiopaque substance into them, it is necessary to identify ductal tumors and accurately determine their location.
4. Magnetic resonance imaging is a safe test that detects tumors of minimal size; however, the likelihood of a false positive result is high, so this study is prescribed less frequently than mammography.

Treatment methods

Treatment for nipple discharge depends on its cause:

• if it is determined that this symptom is caused by medications, they are canceled;
• for hypothyroidism, thyroxine is prescribed;
• for hyperprolactinemia, it is possible to use dopamine agonists; less often, surgical removal of the pituitary tumor is performed;
• if there is no visible cause for the discharge, treatment is not prescribed; a re-examination is carried out after 2 - 3 months;
• for fibrocystic disease, hormonal drugs are used;
• Mastitis and other infectious processes require treatment with antibiotics.

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 in various combinations.

Prevention

Discharge from the nipples is often a sign of breast disease. To prevent pathology of the mammary glands, it is necessary:

• avoid injury to the mammary glands;
• maintain normal weight;
• lead a healthy lifestyle;
• do not give up breastfeeding your child for at least six months after birth;
• do not take without consulting a gynecologist;
• regularly conduct self-examination of the mammary glands after the end of the next menstruation;
• If unusual symptoms appear, consult a doctor immediately.