breast discharge

[cmruether]

I am a 27 year old female and I was doing a breast exam when I found this green dicharge from my breast what should I do and how should I found out what it is exactly. I was told by some friends of mine that it is an invection of the milk duct and then I read it could be much more please help.!!

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear cmruether: Many women have some type of nipple discharge or fluid when their breasts are squeezed, and its normal. Squeezing the nipple sends message to the brain and the pituitary gland responds by increasing prolactin levels, which in turn produces discharge from the nipple. The discharge can come in a variety of colors – gray, green and brown as well as white. Some women are more prone to more discharge including women on; birth control pills, certain blood pressure medications or on major tranquilizers. These medications increase prolactin levels in the body. There is also certain life periods when a person is more likely to get discharge than others: there may be more discharge at puberty and at menopause than the years in-between.

The time to worry about nipple discharge is when it’s spontaneous (comes out by itself without squeezing), keeps on happening,is only on one side, and/or if it is clear and sticky, like an egg white, or bloody. If these symptoms are present a doctor should check you.

[mdaniels965]

A related discussion, breast leaking was started.