Nipple Discharge

I am very concerned with a nipple discharge that happened while performing a self breast exam. I really don't know if I perform accurate breast exams. While I squeezed my nipples, on the right nipple out of one single orifice a white substance came out. It must have been Ivory in color and it resembled a soft toothpaste. It was as solid as soft toothpaste. Later, out of the same orifice came out a white ( clear- Ivory)  liquid. It only comes out if I squeeze my nipple and it's a small amount. During one of the times I was pressing my nipple I also saw a very small amount of clear liquid which I have not seen again. I have always experienced breast pain; particularly before my period which is about to happen.
I have small breast and I really never pay attention to them. I am 37 years old, I used to be a smoker and quit 2 years ago. Recenlty about 2 months ago I smoke a cigarrette every now and then. I also used to take Prozac which I stopped about 2 months ago. I am overweight. I am alarmed and don't know what to do.

[Roxy001]

Please, I would appreciate it if someone replies. I am very concerned

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

You should stop smoking as the first step , whether or not it is the cause of the nipple discharge.

A little amount of nipple discharge is common after breast stimulation as happens in case of a breast self examination.

Do you notice any other abnormal features on breast self examination like a lump or any skin changes?

You need not panic as a little pain, tenderness and lumpiness is common due to hormonal fluctuations at the time of a menstrual cycle.

You could schedule an appointment with your doctor and get a proper clinical evaluation done and also ask him/her whether a mammogram or ultrasound would be required.

Let us know if you have any other doubts and also keep us posted on how you are doing.

Hope this helps.

Regards.

[Roxy001]

Thank you very much. I have scheduled an appointment with a Dr. The pain that I feel before my period is somewhat strong and my breast get hard on some spots. It carries more to my left ( the side that did not have the discharge) and I can feel it all the way to my ribcage. It is pretty intense. Sometimes I feel like there's air in my ribcage or something to that effect. After my period is over the pain seems to go away for a few weeks so I have always assumed it's hormonal. I haven't felt any significant lumps...before my period my breast get lumpy somewhat it seems to change once my period is over. My family has always had fibrosis but they all have big breast ( I was the exception in this family lol). I really don't know if my self breast exams are perfomed accurately.

[Roxy001]

I forgot to add that my whole left side gets so uncomfortable that I have to avoid sleeping on that side during or before my period.

[Roxy001]

Thank you very much. I have scheduled an appointment with a Dr. The pain that I feel before my period is somewhat strong and my breast get hard on some spots. It carries more to my left ( the side that did not have the discharge) and I can feel it all the way to my ribcage. It is pretty intense. Sometimes I feel like there's air in my ribcage or something to that effect. After my period is over the pain seems to go away for a few weeks so I have always assumed it's hormonal. I haven't felt any significant lumps...before my period my breast get lumpy somewhat it seems to change once my period is over. My family has always had fibrosis but they all have big breast ( I was the exception in this family lol). I really don't know if my self breast exams are perfomed accurately.
I forgot to add that my whole left side gets so uncomfortable that I have to avoid sleeping on that side during or before my period.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

It is normal to have some tenderness, lumpiness and pain in relation to the hormonal changes occurring at the time of menstrual cycles. This could be more pronounced in some females.

But it would be best to rule out a fibroadenoma in all such cases. Talk to your doctor in detail about this and let us know what he/she advises.

Also post us if you have any doubts. Let us know how you are doing.

Hope this helps.

Regards

[Roxy001]

Thank you doctor, I really appreciate you taking the time to answer this. I will certainly address this with my doctor at the time of my appointment.

[BhumikaMD]

Hi,

Glad the post was of some help to you. Do let us know how your appointment goes and what your doctor advises.

Keep us posted.

Regards.