{"id":1291,"date":"2021-11-13T14:59:51","date_gmt":"2021-11-13T14:59:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/?p=1291"},"modified":"2025-11-18T05:33:56","modified_gmt":"2025-11-18T05:33:56","slug":"nipple-discharge-causes-symptoms-and-when-to-worry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/blog\/nipple-discharge-causes-symptoms\/","title":{"rendered":"Nipple Discharge &#8211; Causes, Symptoms and When To Worry"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Nipple discharge is a condition that occurs in women who are in their reproductive years, those who aren\u2019t pregnant or breastfeeding, and men.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In most cases, <\/span><a href=\"\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/breast-evaluation-and-treatment-miami-florida\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><b>nipple discharge<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> is nothing to worry about, but sometimes, it can be one of the symptoms that people with breast cancer experience.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This article explores the different types of fluid that you may have, some causes of nipple discharge, and any signs of breast cancer that you should be aware of.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>Overview of Nipple Discharge<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">There are two types of nipple discharge that people can experience:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Unilateral: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This occurs on one side of your breasts, and we usually associate it with ectasia, cancer, or intraductal papilloma.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Bilateral:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> This is when fluid comes out from both breasts, and most of the time, it occurs when the patient is going through hormonal changes or has thyroid disease.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Also, the fluid can come from one breast duct or multiple ducts. However, if only one duct is involved, it is more likely to cause a breast condition.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That said, sometimes, patients who have nipple discharge can also experience other symptoms that could indicate that they have another condition:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Fever:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> This could be a sign of a breast infection or mastitis.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Missed periods: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This is common in pregnant women or those who have hyperprolactinemia, which raises prolactin levels. This is a hormone that the pituitary gland produces to help with breast development and breastfeeding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Breast mass: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This, together with discharge, could be a sign of breast cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Causes of Nipple Discharge\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1293 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/Causes-of-Nipple-Discharge-.jpg\" alt=\"Beautiful Pregnant Woman Holds Hands on Her Belly and Lying in Bed at Home\" width=\"1000\" height=\"650\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/Causes-of-Nipple-Discharge--200x130.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/Causes-of-Nipple-Discharge--300x195.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/Causes-of-Nipple-Discharge--400x260.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/Causes-of-Nipple-Discharge--600x390.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/Causes-of-Nipple-Discharge--768x499.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/Causes-of-Nipple-Discharge--800x520.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/Causes-of-Nipple-Discharge-.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Did you know that you can have a normal or abnormal discharge?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Discharge that is considered normal affects both breasts and is released when you squeeze your nipples.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">However, abnormal discharge comes out from one breast and occurs spontaneously without stimulation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">So, what are the causes of a normal nipple discharge?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Pregnancy: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This can be normal during pregnancy, especially when the first secretion of mammary glands, which we refer to as colostrum, starts flowing. Many women have a thin and light-yellow discharge after they give birth, which can then become thicker and milky white.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Stimulation and irritation:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> This causes fluid to come out from the nipples when women wear an improperly fitting bra or rough clothing.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Abnormal discharge can develop when the patient has:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Fibrocystic breasts:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> It is common for premenopausal women to have fibrocystic breasts &#8211; when their breast tissue feels lumpy and painful. As a result, they may have yellow or brown discharge before they get their period.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Infections:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> Mastitis is a breast infection that can cause a yellow-green nipple discharge. Patients also report having fever, pain, or breast tenderness.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mammary duct ectasia:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> This is the term we use to refer to blocked milk ducts. It usually happens when women are nearing menopause or those who&#8217;ve already gone through their menopausal period. It causes the ducts to widen and get clogged with brown, black or green nipple discharge. The patient also experiences nipple tenderness and redness.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Galactorrhea:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> This is another term for milky discharge, and it can occur in women who are and aren&#8217;t breastfeeding, men and children. Its main cause is hyperprolactinemia.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Intraductal papillomas:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> These are wart-like lumps that are benign and affect one duct. They can produce a clear and bloody nipple discharge in women who haven&#8217;t been through menopause.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Moreover, discharge that comes out of the breasts can also be a side effect of birth control pills. Sometimes, we also associate it with other medications, such as:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">High blood pressure medications.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Antidepressants.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Sedatives.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Anise.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>Discharge Can Also Affect Men<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Men can also experience nipple discharge if they have:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Testosterone deficiency.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gynecomastia, which causes breast enlargement.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Pituitary tumor.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Breast cancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The condition is not very common in men, so patients should immediately see their doctor if they notice a discharge coming out of their nipples.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In addition, babies may also have discharge right after birth, as their mother&#8217;s hormones are still present in their bodies. However, this disappears after a few days.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Now that we\u2019ve explored the causes of abnormal and normal nipple discharge and how it can affect men and babies, we can move on to the next section.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>When It is a Sign of Breast Cancer<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Although discharge is rarely a symptom of breast cancer, it can be a warning sign when it is in its preinvasive stage, especially in individuals who are over 40.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Also, patients can have discharge that affects one side of their breasts and breast cancer symptoms, such as skin changes, nipple inversion, or a breast mass.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We also associate a bloody nipple discharge with cancer, but this can also be clear or milky.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">That said, it is best to see a physician to evaluate your symptoms and determine the causes of nipple discharge that you might have.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>How We Diagnose It<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When you visit your doctor\u2019s clinic to check your discharge, they may ask the following questions to know more about your medical background:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Do you have discharge from one or both nipples?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Are you on any medications?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Are you pregnant or breastfeeding?<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Does the fluid come out when you squeeze your nipples?<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">At Breast Care Center Miami we also offer these tests to help us provide a diagnosis:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Biopsy:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> During this procedure, we remove a small sample of your breast tissue to check whether cancer is present.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Mammogram:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> This produces an X-ray image of your breasts to help us look for cancers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ductogram:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> We use a mammogram and an injected contrast material that help produce an image of the milk ducts.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Ultrasound:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> This test involves the use of sound waves that create images of your inner breast tissue.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>How We Treat Discharge That Comes Out Of The Breasts<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you have developed discharge during your pregnancy or while you\u2019re breastfeeding or going through hormonal changes, you may not need any treatments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We usually prescribe antibiotics if there&#8217;s an <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/15613-mastitis\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">infection<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. However, if you have an abscess, we may have to drain it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Some patients may also undergo surgery if they have breast cancer or intraductal papilloma symptoms. We may also recommend this route for those with a bloodstained discharge, even if the tests don&#8217;t indicate any abnormalities.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>When To Seek Medical Help<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1294 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/When-To-Seek-Medical-Help-2.jpg\" alt=\"Nurse Discussing Test Results With Patient\" width=\"1000\" height=\"667\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/When-To-Seek-Medical-Help-2-200x133.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/When-To-Seek-Medical-Help-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/When-To-Seek-Medical-Help-2-400x267.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/When-To-Seek-Medical-Help-2-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/When-To-Seek-Medical-Help-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/When-To-Seek-Medical-Help-2-800x534.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2021\/11\/When-To-Seek-Medical-Help-2.jpg 1000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Patients who have discharge that comes out of the breasts rarely receive a breast cancer diagnosis, but it could be a sign of another condition that requires treatment.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You should see a doctor if you&#8217;re menstruating and your nipples still have discharge after your next menstrual cycle. Some women who have gone through menopause and have fluid that affects one breast should also seek medical help.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">In addition, it is best to see a physician if you meet any of the following criteria:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Having a bloody nipple discharge.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Being over 50.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Discharge that comes out on its own, without stimulation.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Having other symptoms such as pain, redness, or swelling.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2><b>Book Your Appointment Today<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Having discharge coming out of your nipples can be alarming especially if you\u2019re not breastfeeding or you\u2019re a man. We don\u2019t usually associate it with cancer, but tests can help us evaluate your symptoms and milk ducts in more detail.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For instance, a mammogram can help spot tumors, while a biopsy can check if the breast tissue contains any cancerous cells.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our Breast Care Center Miami team specializes in breast care health and meets many patients with different medical backgrounds. If you&#8217;re breastfeeding, planning to get pregnant, or just want to learn more about abnormal and normal nipple discharge, give us a call. We&#8217;re open on weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Nipple discharge is a condition that occurs in women who are in their reproductive years, those who aren\u2019t pregnant or<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":1292,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[14,73,216],"tags":[255,254,257,256,253,258],"class_list":["post-1291","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog","category-breast-exam","category-breast-health","tag-bloody-nipple-discharge","tag-causes-of-nipple-discharge","tag-discharge-that-comes-out-of-the-breasts","tag-green-nipple-discharge","tag-nipple-discharge","tag-normal-nipple-discharge"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1291","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1291"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1291\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1291"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1291"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toplinemd.com\/breast-care-center-of-miami\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}