Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsColors and Other ChangesHormonal CausesOther CausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Colors and Other Changes
Hormonal Causes
Other Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Frequently Asked Questions
Hormones can cause normal breast discharge that’s related or unrelated to pregnancy. Common hormonal causes of nipple discharge include:
An unusual discharge from the nipple—for example, fluid that is milky or bloody—can be from a non-hormonal but possibly more serious cause, like an infection orbreast cancer.
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. While typically thin and clear/white, it can also be:
Or:
When hormones are the cause of nipple discharge, it’s usuallymilky-white in color. But this isn’t enough to confirm why it’s happening. That’s because there is some overlap among hormonal and non-hormonal causes, as well as conditions within each group.
For example, green breast discharge can occur because of hormonal shifts in pregnant and nursing people, but it can also be a sign of a breast infection.
Whether the discharge comes from one or both breasts can be a helpful clue:
Nipple discharge from both breastsis more likely to be related to hormonal changes or body-wide conditions, such asthyroid disease, or be medication-related.Discharge from a single breast duct is less likely to have a hormonal cause and is more concerning for being due to a disease process.
The following may also be used to help differentiate hormonal from non-hormonal causes:
Nipple Discharge Hormonal Causes
Common hormonal causes of breast discharge include:
Menstrual Cycle Changes
Normal fluctuations in estrogen levels throughout the menstrual cycle can lead to breast tissue changes and nipple discharge.
Some people get lumpy breasts (fibrocystic breasts), swelling, and tenderness during the premenstrual phase of their cycle and may have a little nipple discharge as well, especially when their breasts are touched. The discharge can be milky or green-brown.
Discharge can also occur as estrogen levels decrease as one approaches or reaches menopause.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Colostrum(the fluid that comes in before breast milk) can start to leak weeks or even months before birth. It’s usually thin and light-yellow, then gets thicker and milky.
This discharge is a normal part of the body’s preparation for delivering and potentially breastfeeding an infant, so it’s not usually anything to worry about.
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.
Galactorrhea
Galactorrheais a milky nipple discharge that happens when there are high levels of prolactin in the body (hyperprolactinemia). Prolactin is a hormone that is normally involved with breast growth and breastfeeding.
Medical Conditions Related to Hormones
Some health conditions can change the levels of certain hormones in your body.
Hypothyroidism(underactive thyroid) andnon-cancerous growths on the pituitary glandcan both cause nipple discharge because they can change how much prolactin is in your body.
Medications
Medications such ashormonal contraceptives(e.g., birth control pills) andhormone-replacement therapy (HRT)can have a milky nipple discharge as a side effect since they change the levels of hormones (like estrogen) in your body.
Aldactone or Carospir (spironolactone), which is used to treat hormonal acne, can also cause nipple discharge. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) used for depression can cause nipple discharge.
Non-Hormonal Causes of Breast Discharge
Non-hormonal causes of breast discharge include:
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Mammary Duct Ectasia
Mammary duct ectasia is the medical term for blocked milk ducts. It’s most common in people who are near menopause (perimenopause) or have gone through menopause.In this condition, the breast ducts widen and become clogged with thick discharge.
Nipple discharge from mammary duct ectasia can be:
The condition can lead to mastitis. When this happens, the nipples can turn inward (nipple inversion) and may make a person worry they could have breast cancer.
Mammary duct ectasia usually goes away in time, but some cases require surgery. Hot packs can relieve discomfort from the condition.
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.
Infections
Mastitis is a breast infection that can cause symptoms such as:
If the nipple discharge is also foul-smelling, it could be coming from an abscess in thenipple or under the areola(the pigmented area around the nipple). An abscess is an area the body “walls off” to keep an infection from spreading. It’s a serious medical problem that needs treatment.
Intraductal Papillomas
Intraductal papillomasare non-cancerous (benign) growths that usually involve a single duct.they’re most common during premenopause.
The growths often cause a clear or bloody discharge. You may also notice a painless lump on your nipple.
Most of these growths are not a concern, but some may have regions ofpapillary carcinoma of the breast—a precancerous condition calledductal carcinoma in situ(DCIS).
Breast Cancer
It’s rare, but nipple discharge is sometimes a sign of breast cancer.It can be an early warning sign of breast cancer that is still in the pre-invasive stage. This is more likely in someone over age 40 and/or if:
Nipple discharge from breast cancer can be bloody, clear, or milky.
Paget’s Disease
Paget’s diseaseof the breast is an uncommon form of breast cancer. It accounts for less than 3% of cases.
Paget’s disease causes:
It usually takes a biopsy to diagnose Paget’s disease.
Male Breast DischargeIf you’re biologically male and have nipple discharge, see your provider. It is often an early warning sign of pre-invasive cancer.Breast discharge in males can also be due to a small tumor on the pituitary gland. This can go unrecognized until the tumor starts causing vision changes. Nipple discharge may be an early warning sign.
Male Breast Discharge
If you’re biologically male and have nipple discharge, see your provider. It is often an early warning sign of pre-invasive cancer.Breast discharge in males can also be due to a small tumor on the pituitary gland. This can go unrecognized until the tumor starts causing vision changes. Nipple discharge may be an early warning sign.
Your provider will do some tests to figure out why you have nipple discharge. The specific tests they do will depend on your age, symptoms, and what is found during a physical exam.
If breast cancer is a possibility, a breast MRI, ultrasound, biopsy, and a mammogram can be done.
When hormones are causing nipple discharge, it’s typically part of a normal process in the body. For example, nipple discharge during pregnancy and breastfeeding is expected and does not need to be treated.
If you’re having nipple discharge because of a hormone-related disorder, managing that condition will probably make the symptom better. In the case of low thyroid, for example, Synthroid (levothyroxine) can replace the thyroid hormone you are lacking.
If you’re having nipple discharge as a medication side effect, you could ask your provider about switching to a different medication to see if it helps.
Non-hormonal causes are more likely to need treatment than hormonal causes of breast discharge simply because they are not usually part of a normal bodily process.
For example, a bacterial infection is usually treated with antibiotics. An intraductal papilloma that is causing symptoms can be surgically removed.
Avoiding too much breast stimulation, wearing clothes that don’t irritate your breasts, and using warm compresses can help reduce breast discharge. If it is soaking through your clothes, try using nipple pads.
Summary
Any person with breasts can get nipple discharge, but it’s more likely to happen during hormonal times of life like menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. 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. You can work with your provider to manage the underlying condition or change your medications to see if it helps with the symptom.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes, this is normal and is related to the changing hormones throughout the monthly menstrual cycle.It’s not that common. Conditions that are not cancer are more likely to cause nipple discharge, like hormone shifts or a common infection like mastitis that can happen while breastfeeding.Learn MoreBenign Breast Changes that Mimic Breast Cancer
Yes, this is normal and is related to the changing hormones throughout the monthly menstrual cycle.
It’s not that common. Conditions that are not cancer are more likely to cause nipple discharge, like hormone shifts or a common infection like mastitis that can happen while breastfeeding.Learn MoreBenign Breast Changes that Mimic Breast Cancer
It’s not that common. Conditions that are not cancer are more likely to cause nipple discharge, like hormone shifts or a common infection like mastitis that can happen while breastfeeding.
Learn MoreBenign Breast Changes that Mimic Breast Cancer
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