Nipple discharge - 1

Nipple discharge can be of normal and abnormal forms.

Normal nipple discharge:

Features:

-Usually normal discharge occurs from both nipples.

-Discharge releases when the nipples are compressed and squeezed.

Causes:

The conditions in which normal nipple discharge seen are:

-Pregnancy:

In early stages of pregnancy clear breast discharge can be seen.

In later stages of pregnancy discharge can become watery and milky.

-After stopping breast feeding also milk like breast discharge persists for a while.

-Nipples may secrete fluid when they stimulated or squeezed or repeatedly chafed by inner clothing during vigorous exercise etc.
Repeated stimulation of nipple due to skin rash, self breast examination etc also lead to nipple discharge.

-Changes in female sex hormones can cause nipple discharge.

It usually appears just before periods, from both nipples and will be clear and watery in nature.

Abnormal nipple discharge:

Features:

-          Usually bloody nipple discharge will be abnormal only.

-          Discharge only from one breast.

-          Discharge occurring spontaneously without touch or stimulation or irritation.

-          Usually color is not a better predictor of abnormality. Because sometimes normal discharge can also occur in forms like clear, white, yellow, greenish etc.
Features
Causes
Diagnosis and management
Self examination of breast