Nipple Discharge

[BearHitch]

I have a question- I just recently had a D&C from a pregnancy that died at 10 wks.  2 days I noticed some liquid on my nipple, but thought nothing of it.  However, last night, I noticed it again!  I was running around without a shirt or anything, and there was a pool / collection of a dark yellow kind of thick stuff on my nipple!  I immediately went into the bathroom for a closer look- my family is one that is involved in genetic testing for breast cancer- my mom had it, her mom had it, her mom's mom had it, and 3 of her sisters- all of whom were told they had this gene (of her sisters, anyway, I'm not sure who else).  My mom asked me not to get tested until I was 25 because of how difficult it is knowing you have the gene.  However, this discharge has not ceased.  Sometimes it's just clear, and sometimes it's clear with white streaks / whiteness in it... I've had other problems (like being cold and headaches) but I pushed them to be because of my pregnancy.  Is this something to be concerned with?

[CCF-RN,MSN-rf]

Dear bearhitch:  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.

The optimal age for genetic testing for individuals whose family members carry the BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutations is unclear, but early 20's is reasonable. You should let your doctor know about the nipple discharge, headaches and feeling cold as these might suggest a problem with your endocrine system, although it is impossible for us to know based on the information provided.

[cyn17]

This sounds like discharge called colostrum due to your pregnancy. It should go away fairly soon provided you don't try to express it. Otherwise, you will keep producing it.

[erin123]

i kinda have the same problem.but mine comes out on its own and when it leaks my breast hurts really bad.