This article describes the different types of hormone-related nipple discharge, their symptoms, and what causes them.
It also explains how to stop nipple discharge and what may be causing this if not hormonal changes.
Hormonal Breast Discharge Colors
Nipple discharge can have different colors and consistencies.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
But this isnt enough to confirm why its happening.
Thats because there is some overlap among hormonal and non-hormonal causes, as well as conditions within each group.
The discharge can be milky or green-brown.
Discharge can also occur as estrogen levels decrease as one approaches or reaches menopause.
Its usually thin and light-yellow, then gets thicker and milky.
In newborns, small amounts of clear or milky nipple discharge are common.
It may happen along with some breast swelling or a small lump.
The condition is related to hormones left over from pregnancy.
Prolactin is a hormone that is normally involved with breast growth and breastfeeding.
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used for depression can cause nipple discharge.
Nipple discharge from mammary duct ectasia can be:
The condition can lead to mastitis.
Mammary duct ectasia usually goes away in time, but some cases require surgery.
Hot packs can relieve discomfort from the condition.
Bloody discharge later in infancy can also be sparked by mammary duct ectasia.
Conditions like mammary duct ectasia and cancer become more common during perimenopause and after menopause.
Do not ignore symptoms and ask your provider for testing to rule out these conditions.
An abscess is an area the body walls off to keep an infection from spreading.
Its a serious medical problem that needs treatment.
The growths often cause a clear or bloody discharge.
You may also notice a painless lump on your nipple.
Pagets Disease
Pagets diseaseof the breast is an uncommon form of breast cancer.
It accounts for less than 3% of cases.
Pagets disease causes:
It usually takes a biopsy to diagnose Pagets disease.
Male Breast Discharge
If youre biologically male and have nipple discharge, see your provider.
This can go unrecognized until the tumor starts causing vision changes.
Nipple discharge may be an early warning sign.
Diagnosis
Your provider will do some tests to figure out why you have nipple discharge.
For example, nipple discharge during pregnancy and breastfeeding is expected and does not need to be treated.
For example, a bacterial infection is usually treated with antibiotics.
An intraductal papilloma that is causing symptoms can be surgically removed.
If it is soaking through your clothes, try using nipple pads.
During these times, some nipple discharge can actually be normal and not a reason to worry.
Hormone-related health problems and medications can also cause nipple discharge.
Its not that common.
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