Bleeding from nipples

[JayR]

My Mum is about 45 and she has noticed blood coming from her nipples for the past two weeks, she has seen a doctor who has made an appointment to see a Breast Specialist.  The doctor did not give her any explanation and she is very worried.  Please can you help? Thank you.

[Bel]

I am not a mother nor pregnant. I'm 19 years old and still single. I had this bloody discharge on my left breast which it was first for me to have it. But before I had that discharge, I already had a feeling of swellingness of my both nipples and the pain is usually more intense on the left. I remembered  when I was a child, my cousin accidentally throw a rock on my breast. I was 9  I guess. Since then, I didn't realize that it will cause hard. Until now, I didn't know what to do. Please tell me what's this and what I'm going to do.

[CCF-RN,MSN-JS]

Dear JayR, 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.   However, bloody discharge could be a symptom of something more serious.  Having her evaluated by a breast specialist is an appropriate step to determine if there is in fact a problem.