bloody nipple discharge/help!

[bumbl3b33]

I am a 41 y/o woman, had a emergency hysterectomy @11 years ago at the age of 30. I am pretty frightened... tonight I noticed quite a bit of discharge from both nipples. From the right breast, bloody (not bright red, a little darker) and thicker discharge from that nipple.  I am not on HRT, I do not have medical insurance, have not had a mammogram. My breasts seem to be sore, my back has me in tremendous pain, and I have been having painful, almost migraine type, head aches on practically a daily basis. I have edema, quite painful in my legs/ankles, and have put on the water weight (a lot) in the past few weeks. Please help! Thanks in advance... (I know most importantly a visit to the doctor is imminent, however, I would like to know what this could be, or causing it)
One more thing, I have never had menopause, my MD said I probably wouldn't?? Is this true, or with my hysterectomy, will I have to go thru menopause?

[japdip]

Then you may have some menopausal symptoms -"whenever", of course these symptoms vary widely among women ... without the menstrual cycle you may or may not notice various changes. It's a good thing that you haven't been on HRT as this has been proven to definitly increase your risk of developing Breast Cancer. It should be avoided if at all possible in the future. Please do investigate the bloody discharge; it could be serious but at the same time it could also be a comparitively simple issue. Take care ....

[bumbl3b33]

Thank you very much.. I believe I still have the ovaries. Never been on HRT, and OB/GYN never concerned about menopause with me... Regards to you...

[japdip]

Were your ovaries removed at the time of your Hysterectomy ??? They often are and if so then Menopause was a surgical one and would have occurred at that time. This is a subject to take up with your Gynecologist. As far as the discharge .... some discharge is not unusual but if from only one nipple and bloody it does need to be investigated. This could be an issue with the milk ducts including the possibility of a Papilloma which is a growth on the duct. These can be either benign or malignant. You are correct about needing to schedule a visit with the Dr. ... preferably a Breast Specialist if possible. All of the many other symptoms I feel are unrelated to the breast discharge issue. Regards ....