What Is a Nipple Discharge?
Anyone with a nipple can have a nipple discharge – fluid that seeps out of one or both nipples. But it's more common among women and those assigned female at birth.
If you aren't breastfeeding, the sight of a nipple discharge can be alarming. But if you notice discharge from your nipple, there's no reason to panic. Although a nipple discharge can be serious, in most cases, it's either normal or caused by a minor condition.
A nipple discharge in men or those assigned male at birth is more of a concern. If you have this, see your doctor.
If you're not nursing, you should contact your health care provider any time you notice a breast discharge. Based on your symptoms and the results of diagnostic tests, your doctor will decide on the best course of treatment.
Types of Nipple Discharge
A nipple discharge can come in different colors.
Generally, if the discharge comes from both breasts, that's less likely to be a serious problem. If you see a discharge only when your nipples are squeezed, that's also likely to be a less serious condition.
A discharge from only one breast, especially if it's bloody or comes out without any squeezing, may be a sign of a more serious condition.
Green nipple discharge
If your discharge is green, it's a type called physiological. It's usually harmless. Causes include reactions to medication or a problem with your thyroid. Another possible cause is a cyst in your breast.
Yellow nipple discharge
This is another type of physiological discharge. If it's cloudy or pus-like, you may have an infection in your breast.
White nipple discharge
This is also a type of physiological discharge. It's usually caused by changes in your hormones, including those during pregnancy and when you stop breastfeeding.
Brown nipple discharge
This type may be caused by a blocked duct in your breast. It might also point to fibrocystic changes in your breast, which means you're developing cysts.
Bloody nipple discharge
This can mean you have a benign growth, called a papilloma, in your breast. In rare cases, it's a sign of breast cancer.
Clear nipple discharge
If you have a clear discharge from only one nipple, that also could be a sign you have a papilloma. It also might mean you have a blocked nipple duct. And it can be a sign of breast cancer, too.
If you're not sure what color your nipple discharge is, try blotting it with a white tissue. The stain may help you identify the color.
The texture of your nipple discharge might also give your doctor a clue about your condition. The terms doctors use to describe the texture include:
- Serous (yellow)
- Mucinous (clear and watery)
- Milky
- Sanguineous (bloody)
- Purulent (pus-like)
- Multicolored and sticky
- Serosanguineous (pink)
Normal and Abnormal Nipple Discharge
A discharge is more likely to abnormal if it happens without anything external touching, stimulating, or irritating your breast.
If you're concerned about fluid coming from your breasts, you may want to squeeze them to check for discharge. This can actually make the discharge worse. Leaving your nipples alone for a while may help the condition improve.
Other signs that your discharge may be abnormal include:
- Pain in your breast
- A lump in your breast
- Changes in the skin of your breast
- You can tell the discharge comes from a single duct.
Nipple discharge in men
If you're a man or assigned male at birth, a nipple discharge should be checked out by a doctor. It might be caused by an infection or medication, but it also could be a sign of breast cancer.
What Causes Normal Nipple Discharge?
Causes of a normal nipple discharge include:
Pregnancy. In the early stages of pregnancy, you may notice a clear breast discharge from your nipples. In the later stages of pregnancy, this discharge may take on a watery, milky appearance.
Stopping breastfeeding. Even after you have stopped nursing your baby, you may notice that a milk-like breast discharge continues.
Stimulation. Nipples may secrete fluid when they are stimulated or squeezed. A normal nipple discharge may also happen when your nipples are repeatedly chafed by your bra or during vigorous physical exercise, such as jogging.
Hormonal changes. These can cause a discharge that's milky but unrelated to breastfeeding. When you have this type of discharge, the condition is called galactorrhea. It may be caused by an increase in prolactin, the hormone that prompts milk production.
Sexual arousal. This can cause a discharge from your nipples.
Medications. These can include hormonal birth control and antidepressants.
Stress. Some studies have shown that stress can cause your body to release prolactin.
What Causes Abnormal Nipple Discharge?
A number of noncancerous conditions can cause a nipple discharge.
Fibrocystic breast changes. Fibrocystic refers to the presence or development of fibrous tissue and cysts. Fibrocystic changes in your breasts may cause lumps or thickenings in your breast tissue. But they do not mean that cancer is present. Along with causing pain and itching, fibrocystic breast changes can, at times, cause a clear, white, yellow, or green nipple discharge.
Galactorrhea. This describes a condition in which you secrete milk or a milky nipple discharge even though you're not breastfeeding. Galactorrhea is not a disease and has many possible causes. These include:
- Pituitary gland tumors
- Certain medications
- Some herbs, such as anise and fennel
- Hypothyroidism
- Illegal drugs, including marijuana
Infection. A nipple discharge that contains pus may mean there's an infection in your breast. This is also known as mastitis. Mastitis is usually seen in women who are breastfeeding. But it can happen in women who are not lactating. If you have an infection or abscess in your breast, you may also notice that your breast is sore, red, or warm to the touch.
Mammary duct ectasia. This is the second most common cause of an abnormal nipple discharge. It is typically seen in those approaching menopause. This condition results in inflammation and possible blockage of ducts underneath the nipple. When this happens, there can be an infection that results in a thick, greenish nipple discharge.
Intraductal papillomas. These are noncancerous growths in the ducts of the breast. They are the most common reason women have an abnormal nipple discharge. When they become inflamed, intraductal papillomas may cause a nipple discharge that contains blood or is sticky in texture.
Connection between Nipple Discharge and Cancer
Most nipple discharge is either normal or caused by a benign medical condition. There are instances, though, when a discharge from the breast may be a symptom of some forms of breast cancer. This likelihood is greater if your nipple discharge comes with a lump or mass within the breast or if you have had an abnormal mammogram.
One form of breast cancer that may cause a breast discharge is intraductal carcinoma. This cancer develops within the ducts of the breast beneath the nipple.
Another rare form of breast cancer that may result in a nipple discharge is Paget's disease. This condition develops in the ducts of the breast and then moves to the nipple. It may cause the nipple and the surrounding areola to bleed or ooze. Paget's disease usually happens with another form of breast cancer.
What color nipple discharge is caused by breast cancer?
A discharge that's clear or bloody can be a sign of breast cancer. But it also can be a sign of other conditions. It's important to remember that breast cancer rarely causes a discharge from your nipples.
How Is Nipple Discharge Diagnosed?
Your doctor will start with a physical exam and questions about your medical history.
If your exam suggests your discharge is abnormal, your doctor may ask for more tests. The tests will help find the condition that's causing the problem and may include:
- Laboratory analysis of the discharge
- Blood tests
- Mammogram and/or ultrasound of one or both breasts
- A brain scan
- Surgical excision and analysis of one or more ducts in your nipple
How to Treat a Nipple Discharge
How your nipple discharge will be treated depends on what's causing it. You may not need any treatment at all. Treatments include:
Checking medication. If you're taking a medicine that's causing a nipple discharge, your doctor may switch you to another drug or lower the dose.
Removing the problem. If you have a cyst, lump, or troublesome milk duct, you might have it removed.
Antibiotics. If an infection in your breast is causing a discharge, you may need an antibiotic to clear it up.
Dealing with other conditions. You may need treatment of the condition that's causing your breast discharge, such as a thyroid problem.
If you've been squeezing your breasts to check for a discharge, your doctor may tell you to stop. Leaving things alone might clear up the issue.
When to Worry about a Nipple Discharge
A nipple discharge is often caused by conditions that are benign. You also could have a condition that needs treatment but is noncancerous. Here are signs that your nipple discharge needs to be checked soon:
- You're a man or were assigned male at birth.
- The discharge comes from only one breast.
- The discharge is bloody.
- Fluid comes out of your breast when you aren't squeezing it.
- Your breast is painful.
- You feel a lump.
- You see changes in the skin of your breast.
- The discharge is pus-like or you see other signs of an infection.
You should see a doctor for any discharge that's new to you or lasts longer than a few weeks.
Takeaways
A nipple discharge can happen for many reasons, some of them harmless. The color and consistency of your discharge may give your doctor clues about the cause. Among the possible reasons for a nipple discharge are hormonal changes, an infection, too much stimulation, and stress. If you're a man or were assigned male at birth, if the discharge is bloody, if you feel a lump, or if you have pain in your breast, you should see your doctor right away. Any discharge that's new for you or that doesn't clear up on its own after a few weeks should be checked by your doctor.
Nipple Discharge FAQs
How many days does a nipple discharge last?
If you've been breastfeeding, it's not uncommon for fluid to leak after you stop. If you've not been nursing and you have a discharge that lasts more than a few weeks, see a doctor.
What is a nipple discharge made of?
Your nipple discharge might be milk. It also could be pus from an infection or fluids caused by other issues in your breast.
What does an unhealthy nipple discharge look like?
A discharge that's bloody, pink, or clear could be a sign of breast cancer, although there are also noncancerous conditions that can cause it.
How can I stop a breast discharge?
If you've been squeezing your breasts to check for a discharge, stop. That kind of stimulation may make it worse. Clothes that chafe your breasts also can add to the problem. Once your doctor has figured out the cause of your nipple discharge, you may start treatment that will end the problem.
