Black discharge from breast

[carol0311]

So I don't know what this is. I have an appointment scheduled later this week, but am a little concerned.  My youngest daughter is 6 years old and since then if I stimulate the nipple (squeeze) a little bit of a discharge comes out, from both breasts.  Last night I did this just before my shower and noticed that on my left breast, there was black liquid that came out.  I thought it might have been dried blood, but there was not red or brown tint to it, it was just black.  I kept doing this for over 30 minutes to see if the color subsided but it didn't.  I feel no lumps and my breast is not tender.  what could this be??

[jen59847]

A related discussion, Please keep posting was started.

[dana24c]

Hope your appt went well.  I had a similar situation where both breast leaked for years.  My Dr. kept putting me on birth control and then once I stopped taking the rx, the discharge would begin again.  My OB sent me for CAT scan which was clear and my prolatin levels were within the normal range.  However, after a few years I was complaining to my regular Dr about it and she sent me for MRI.  I had a very small (begnin) tumor on my pituitary (I read that 1 out of 4 women do but most never show signs).  My advice is to trust your gut and if you aren't comfortable with the diagnosis, ask someone else.

[carol0311]

Thank you for your comment.  I have a scheduled visit for Thursday.  But I am under no birth control, i'm not taking any other kind of daily medication either.  I have had the clear, tan discharge, but never this black discharge.  it kind of looks like the ink that squids let out, that  black ink, that is what it looks like.

[Cleveland Clinic]

Dear Carol0311:  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