milk leakage

I would like to know if milk can leak from the breast at any other time other than being pregnant and could this be a sign of any other medical problem. I am 38 and also had my tubes tied.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Nipple discharge is most often from benign conditions. 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.  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