Nipple discharge

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Nipple discharge

When you are not breast-feeding, fluid leaking from one or both nipples is called nipple discharge. It may or may not be a sign of a medical problem:

Nonspontaneous discharge that occurs only when you press on your nipple is usually normal and occurs in the majority of women at one time or another. The discharge can be clear, cloudy, white, yellow, green, or brown. The more the nipple is pressed or stimulated, the more fluid is discharged. This type of nipple discharge does not usually indicate a problem.

Spontaneous discharge of fluid or blood from a nipple is a concern, except during pregnancy and breast-feeding. This type of discharge occurs without pressing or stimulating the nipple. Galactorrhea is one type of spontaneous nipple discharge and may be a side effect of a medication or caused by a noncancerous tumor in the pituitary gland (pituitary adenoma), decreased thyroid function (hypothyroidism), or certain types of cancer.

Call your doctor if you have spontaneous nipple discharge or a discharge from only one nipple (unilateral) or that looks like blood.

Credits

Author	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Editor	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor	Tracy Landauer
Primary Medical Reviewer	Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
Primary Medical Reviewer	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Last Updated	November 15, 2005

Last updated:	November 15, 2005
Author:	Sydney Youngerman-Cole, RN, BSN, RNC
Reviewed By:	Joy Melnikow, MD, MPH - Family Medicine, Deborah A. Penava, BA, MD, FRCSC, MPH - Obstetrics and Gynecology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer

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