Cloudy fluid from the nipples. Causes and types of discharge from the mammary glands

A woman should pay more attention to her health. Since her body is designed not only for her functioning, but also for bearing and giving birth to children, she must always take care of her health, especially the reproductive system and mammary glands. If white discharge appears from, then you should not worry too much. On the site, the site will consider the norm and deviations in order to understand when to worry.

White discharge from the nipples does not always occur only during lactation. After childbirth, it is quite natural to discharge a large number white secret, what is called mother's milk which is normal for any woman. However, how to respond to such discharges in small quantities if the woman has not given birth recently?

In the period from 18 to 45 years, a woman should undergo a medical examination every six months or a year in order to identify breast pathologies at an early stage of their development. Ultrasound becomes especially important if there are discharges of an incomprehensible nature. Let's see what they say next.

Why does a secret appear from the chest?

All causes of discharge from the chest can be divided into physiological and pathological. The first group includes the allocation of milk after childbirth. It is quite normal during this period to release first a translucent substance, which is colostrum, and then full-fledged milk.

In from chest to copious amounts a white secret is secreted - milk. It can appear both during pregnancy (even before the birth of the baby), and after the cessation of lactation.

The remaining causes are pathological, so if they occur, you should be attentive to your health and consult a gynecologist or mammologist. The causes of pathology are:

  1. Inflammatory diseases.
  2. Violation of the hormonal background.
  3. Benign and malignant neoplasms.
  4. Chest injury.
  5. Excessive use of antidepressants.
  6. Passing a mammogram.
  7. Wearing an uncomfortable, synthetic, or constricting bra.
  8. Low blood pressure in the milk ducts.

Any discharge from the chest should be noted. With them pathological occurrence consultation with a doctor is required.

It is necessary to note the nature of the secretions, where not only the color of the secret becomes important. The doctor needs to know how much and how often the discharge occurs. Are there discharges from two or both breasts at the same time? Often the discharge can be one-sided. However, this does not mean that the second breast is not working.

More active discharge may flow from the nipples when pressed or pressed. The strength and frequency of discharge also indicates a lot. For example, increased and increased frequency of secretions while maintaining their volume speaks of a cold. If the volume increases, then this may indicate inadequate breast care. As a result, blockage of the ducts may develop, which will lead to lactostasis.

Infection may be indicated by discharge, accompanied by pain, whining in the chest and pungent odor secret.

On pathological development diseases indicate the symptoms that disturb the woman. They can be different:

  • Discharges of various colors, purulent, mucous, with a pungent odor.
  • Chest aches, burns, throbs, hurts.
  • One breast is larger than the other.
  • Areolas or nipples change shape and color.

A doctor can identify galactoria when prolactin (the hormone responsible for milk production) lingers in the mammary gland. This is normal if observed from the second trimester of pregnancy. However, pathological given state considered if:

  1. Allocations white color appeared after the end of the lactation period at 20-25 weeks.
  2. White discharge arose in a girl who had never been pregnant, while accompanied by a slight burning sensation, stabbing pains and discomfort when putting on and wearing a bra. In this case, from the chest pathological secretions are in an amount of more than 2-4 drops.

When is discharge normal or abnormal?

There are many reasons why white discharge occurs, as well as conditions when they are normal or pathological. These cases should be considered.

  • Deviations from the norm are:
  1. Pain in the gland when running or walking, because of which the discharge increases. The reason is observed in the disruption of the hypothalamus due to injuries, bruises, compression, shock, malignant.
  2. Reflex activation of the mammary glands. Causes may be operations to repair burns when they were affected nerve endings in iron.
  3. Discharge on compression in the areola. Occurs due to shingles medicines, diseases thyroid gland or adrenal glands, ovaries.
  • A deviation or a normal state may be discharge during compression. It is pathological painful sensations in the mammary gland, suspicion of mastitis, benign tumor pituitary gland, renal failure.

Idiopathic galactorrhea is called a disease if no cause has been identified.

Normal discharge may be if a woman is unaware of her pregnancy or she is ectopic or frozen.

Depending on the causes of the discharge, the doctor will prescribe treatment, which may involve resorting to surgical intervention.

What are nipple discharges?

Allocations are different, which indicates the nature of the disease. Normal discharge in the form of milk during pregnancy or after childbirth. However, the rest of the discharge is pathological and has a different color, texture, smell, taste (only they should not be tried). The secret might be:

  1. Thick or liquid.
  2. Watery or slimy.
  3. With an elusive odor or fetid.
  4. White, yellow, greenish, dark green, black, brown, with blood.
  5. Transparent, opaque or translucent.

A milky white secretion can be secreted in both sexes. This may be a form of galactorrhea - prolactaemia. It develops due to:

  • Pathologies of the thyroid gland.
  • Changes in climatic conditions.
  • Frequent flights.
  • Violations of the pituitary-hypothalamar system.

Galactorrhea can be recognized by white or transparent thick secretions from both breasts.

Other highlights may be:

  1. Transparent highlights. If they are not accompanied painful sensations then you don't have to worry. They can occur during active physical activity, during menstruation, when wearing the wrong bra, or when taking contraceptives.
  2. Dark green, almost black discharge often occurs during menopause, when the breast ducts are deformed and change. The pain may not bother you. You should consult a doctor who most often detects ectasia (plasmacytic mastitis), a disease that can lead to cancer.
  3. Bloody discharge often occurs with chest injuries. It should be treated with the help of doctors, otherwise abscessing of the injury is possible, which will lead to cystadenopapilloma or intraductal papilloma.
  4. Brownish-green discharge often occurs with fibrocystic disease or mastopathy. At the same time, the glands swell, there is a feeling of fullness in the chest. This requires medical treatment.

Forecast

Depending on the nature of the secretions and the reasons for their occurrence, predictions can be made. Usually, any discharge indicates a pathology, except for colostrum and milk, which are released during pregnancy or lactation. Transparent discharge of a short nature also indicates the absence of pathologies. A secret of a different nature definitely requires examination by a doctor.

One of the most common symptoms of breast disease is discharge from the nipples, which is observed in 7% of mammologist patients. In most cases, this symptom is caused by non-life-threatening conditions. Approximately 5% of women with this symptom are later diagnosed malignant tumor glands. To find out what the discharge from the nipples means, you need to consult a doctor.

Why is this happening?

It is possible to distinguish physiological, benign and dangerous malignant causes the appearance of discharge from the nipples.

Physiological

Such factors are natural for a woman. One of the reasons for the appearance of a secret is lactation, that is, the production of breast milk after childbirth. The mammary glands also synthesize colostrum later dates pregnancy and in the first days after the birth of a child.

A clear, colorless liquid from the nipples may appear outside of pregnancy. This is caused by a hormonal imbalance. After the cessation of menstruation (in postmenopause), there should not be such signs.

benign

Diseases that may be accompanied by the appearance of liquid contents from the nipples, and at the same time are benign:

  • (a non-cancerous tumor resembling a polyp, located in the duct of the gland);
  • chronic inflammatory process - mastitis;
  • fibrocystic disease resulting from hormonal disorders;
  • expansion, or ectasia, of the milk ducts;
  • (benign tumor);
  • ductal hyperplasia - thickening of the walls of the ducts;
  • nipple adenoma (benign tumor).

In addition to diseases of the glands themselves, the appearance of a secret is often accompanied by hyperprolactinemia, eczema or atopic dermatitis pacifier.

Of these diseases similar sign most often associated with ductal ectasia.

Separately, it should be noted that transparent, colorless discharge from the nipples is sometimes observed when using drugs, primarily metoclopramide and domperidone. These substances are part of popular drugs to eliminate nausea and motion sickness - Cerucal, Ceruglan, Motilium, Passazhiks and others.

Malignant

These are precancerous or cancerous diseases:

  • atypical ductal hyperplasia - thickening of the walls of the duct, in which precursors of cancer cells appear;
  • ductal carcinoma in situ - a superficial tumor on the wall of the duct;
  • lobular cancer in situ - localized small tumor glandular structures body;
  • invasive ductal carcinoma or lobular cancer - malignant tumors that grow into the tissues of the gland, affecting the lymph nodes and distant organs;
  • - Cancer of the nipple and areola.

With the decay of a malignant tumor, black discharge is observed, with the appearance of which it is necessary to urgently seek medical help.

The nature of the secret in different pathologies - common signs

For benign conditions:

  • usually bilateral;
  • appear when pressed;
  • without impurities and lumps;
  • with a sticky consistency;
  • colorless, but can also have a color - from white to yellow or green.

Discharge from the nipple with an admixture of blood is also more often associated with benign diseases. However, they can also be caused by cancer. Therefore, when such a symptom appears, an in-depth examination by a doctor is necessary.

For malignant diseases:

  • appear on one side
  • occur spontaneously, leak without pressure;
  • there are clear, light, pink or bloody discharge;
  • in the chest, when probing, a site of compaction is found, axillary lymph nodes are enlarged.

By the color of the secreted fluid, a possible cause of the pathology can be assumed:

  • white, yellow or green discharge from the nipples is characteristic of inflammatory processes, primarily mastitis;
  • dark green and thick appear with suppuration of ductal cysts;
  • brown are found in lactiferous duct ectasia;
  • transparent, watery - at;
  • bloody - with cancer or papilloma.

This symptom can be manifested in combination with other signs of breast diseases:

  • pain, hypersensitivity;
  • palpable formation in the tissue;
  • inverted nipple, uneven skin, discoloration, redness or itching of the skin;
  • change in the size of one of the glands;
  • fever;
  • violations menstrual cycle;
  • nausea and vomiting;
  • weakness, weight loss or gain.

More about an alarming symptom, as a norm or a manifestation of pathology

This symptom has features in various gynecological and endocrine problems as well as physiological conditions.

Pregnancy

Normally, before childbirth and after the birth of a child, colostrum begins to stand out from the breast, and then milk. Discharge from the nipples during pregnancy for more than early dates appear when the gland is preparing for lactation, its ducts become wider, and the cells are renewed. This happens under the influence of hormones, at the same time the skin on the nipples and areolas darkens. The color of this liquid is white or light yellow. Colostrum can appear in the 3rd trimester, less often from the 20th week and extremely rarely - at the very beginning of bearing a child, however, this is also a normal condition.

At first breastfeeding the glands become engorged, the amount of colostrum may be insignificant. With regular attachment of the child in the chest, secretory activity is improving. If as a result of feeding, pumping, or after discharge from the nipple, the breast becomes soft, this is a normal sign.

Not all women have such a symptom during childbearing. During the 2nd and subsequent pregnancies, breast sensations may also change. Lack of secretion does not mean that there will be difficulties with breastfeeding.

However, there are two cases when it is necessary to consult a doctor:

  • pinkish or bloody color liquids;
  • the appearance of seals in the chest, especially painful or sensitive when probed.

The glands before childbirth increase evenly, and the appearance of dense foci can be a symptom of a dangerous disease.

Menstrual cycle

Normally, at the end of the second phase of the menstrual cycle, the level of progesterone in the blood decreases. If this does not happen, discharge from the nipples appears before menstruation. This can happen with diseases of the ovaries, while painful engorgement of the mammary glands, irregularity of the cycle, and a change in its duration are often noted. The secretion of fluid before menstruation can also be associated with the use of hormonal contraceptives.

Regardless of the phase of the cycle, the appearance of a small amount of fluid from the chest is sometimes associated with its stimulation during sexual contact. The hormone oxytocin released during arousal causes contraction of the muscles of the milk ducts and the release of their transparent contents.

The appearance of such a symptom after menstruation is not specific to any one disease. This can be with a malignant tumor of the gland, and with hyperprolactinemia and other hormonal disorders.

During perimenopause, the female body undergoes significant hormonal changes. The function of the ovaries gradually fades away, to maintain it, the work of the hypothalamic-pituitary system can be activated. However, at the same time, the risk malignant neoplasms chest. Therefore, the appearance of a secret from the nipples during menopause should always be the reason for contacting a gynecologist or mammologist.

If the patient was performed for some reason, this does not affect the functioning of her mammary glands. Therefore, after removal of the uterus, the appearance of fluid from the mammary glands can be, as normal sign as well as a symptom of pathology.

fibrocystic disease

When discharge from the nipples does not occur in all patients. They appear if the pathology is accompanied by severe hormonal disorders. In the event that they are watery or contain blood, it is imperative to consult a doctor.

Mastitis and other infectious lesions

Inflammation is usually caused by bacteria, less often viruses or fungi. Most often develops lactational mastitis arising from the reproduction of pathogenic microflora during breastfeeding. The disease is accompanied by pain in the chest, its swelling, redness, white or yellow discharge appears from the nipple.

At severe course process in the tissues of the gland develops pyogenic microflora, an abscess is formed, gangrenous or phlegmonous. At the same time, the breast is significantly enlarged, very painful, pain may appear from the nipple. purulent discharge. Treatment of this condition is only surgical - opening and cleansing the cavity of the abscess.

Hyperprolactinemia

Prolactin is normally produced by the pituitary gland in small amounts. Its secretion is significantly enhanced during breastfeeding, ensuring the restructuring of the tissues of the gland and the formation of milk in it. If a woman is not pregnant or breastfeeding, her milk production is called and is associated with an abnormal increase in the amount of the hormone prolactin.

Hyperprolactinemia can result from the following conditions:

  • prolonged breast stimulation;
  • constant or sudden severe stress;
  • injury to the mammary gland;
  • intense mechanical action of the partner during sexual intercourse;
  • pituitary tumor;
  • diseases of the thyroid gland, especially with a decrease in its function - hypothyroidism;
  • kidney or liver failure;
  • reception oral contraceptives, antidepressants, some antihypertensive drugs.

At elevated prolactin emerges from the nipples white liquid resembling milk. This symptom can also be observed in men. In this case, it always serves as a symptom of a disease.

Mammary cancer

Liquid from the nipples may begin to be released already at an early stage of the disease, especially when the tumor is localized in the duct of the gland. Therefore, even with the isolated appearance of this symptom, it is urgent to be examined by a doctor.

The likelihood of a malignant tumor increases in such situations:

  • the secret is watery or contains blood;
  • palpable dense formation in the chest;
  • enlarged axillary lymph nodes;
  • nipple retraction;
  • breast deformity, "lemon peel" on the skin.

Discharge from the nipples in men

In 75% of cases, this is a sign of breast cancer.

Breast cancer in men is very rare and accounts for less than 1% of all cases of malignant tumors of this organ. The disease is accompanied by the appearance of compaction and soreness in the tissue of the gland. If discharge occurs, you should contact your surgeon or oncologist as soon as possible.

In addition to the tumor this symptom may be associated with hyperprolactinemia. In men, it occurs quite rarely, it is caused by a tumor of the pituitary gland.

The principles of diagnosis and treatment of such conditions in men are the same as in women.

What to do with discharge from the nipples?

If such a sign is observed in women who are not pregnant and not breastfeeding, it is necessary to find out its cause. Of particular concern to doctors are cases that occur in women over 40 years of age, with the appearance of constant discharge from one gland, with an admixture of blood and / or the presence of compaction. Another risk factor for breast cancer is having a family history of the disease.

When a patient uses any drug for substitution hormone therapy or contraception, which is accompanied not only by discharge, but also by soreness and swelling, the doctor should change the medicine to a safer one.

Laboratory research

The following tests are used for diagnosis:

  1. Determination of the level of prolactin. This hormone regulates the production of breast milk. It is determined to exclude a prolactin-secreting pituitary tumor.
  2. Thyroid-stimulating hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and regulates the activity of the thyroid gland. Its level is determined to exclude hypothyroidism.
  3. Chorionic gonadotropin, or pregnancy test, to rule out physiological reasons this symptom.

If cancer is suspected, the doctor may prescribe cytological examination secretion of the mammary glands to determine malignant cells in it. However, this study does not always help to identify the tumor, so it is rarely used.

A skin biopsy is done for Paget's cancer, which affects the nipple or areola. Symptoms of the disease include eczema-like skin changes (itching, cracking, dryness, flaking) and yellowish discharge from the nipple. Needle biopsy can confirm the diagnosis.

Instrumental diagnostics

  1. x-ray examination mammary glands to detect seals, calcium deposits, asymmetries, anomalies in the vascular pattern; used in women older than 35-40 years and often helps to detect early stage cancer.
  2. given to women under the age of 35 differential diagnosis seals and cysts filled with fluid, and is also used in guided biopsy and during surgical operations.
  3. Ductography - a study of the ducts of the gland after the introduction of a radiopaque substance into them, it is necessary to detect ductal tumors and exact definition their location.
  4. Magnetic resonance imaging - safe study that detects tumors minimum size; however, there is a high probability false positive result Therefore, such a study is prescribed less frequently than mammography.

Treatment Methods

Treatment for nipple discharge depends on its cause:

  • if it is determined that this symptom is caused by medicines, they are cancelled;
  • with hypothyroidism, thyroxine is prescribed;
  • with hyperprolactinemia, the use of dopamine agonists is possible, less often surgical removal pituitary tumors;
  • Without apparent reason discharge treatment is not prescribed, re-examination is carried out after 2 - 3 months;
  • with fibrocystic disease, hormonal drugs are used;
  • mastitis and other infectious processes require antibiotic treatment.

At permanent secretions surgical removal of the dilated lactiferous duct is possible. If a malignant tumor is detected, the patient is referred to an oncologist. She is assigned combined treatment, which includes surgery, radiation and in various combinations.

Prevention

Discharge from the nipples is often a sign of breast disease. For the prevention of pathology of the mammary glands, it is necessary:

  • avoid injury to the mammary glands;
  • maintain a normal weight;
  • lead a healthy lifestyle;
  • do not refuse breastfeeding a child, at least for six months after childbirth;
  • do not take without consulting a gynecologist;
  • regularly conduct self-examination of the mammary glands after the completion of the next menstruation;
  • when unusual symptoms consult a doctor without delay.

Any gland is an organ that produces and then releases specific substances. The mammary glands perform the same functions. Their main purpose is to produce milk, but even during normal periods there is a certain amount of secretion that comes out. It is usually a colorless, odorless liquid.

What discharge from the nipples is considered normal

The secret is able to stand out only from one breast or simultaneously from both. It can come out on its own or with pressure. Normally, this should happen rarely and in small quantities. A cause for concern should be an increase in the volume of discharge from the nipples, a change in color or consistency, especially if this is accompanied by fever, soreness in the chest and headache.

Sometimes an increase in secretion or clear discharge from the nipples is considered normal. This can be called:

  • hormone therapy;
  • mammography;
  • taking antidepressants;
  • excessive physical activity;
  • mechanical effect on the chest;
  • pressure drop.

What can the color of the discharge mean?

Often the discharge from the nipples of the breast differ in color. Their shade may indicate the presence of pathological processes.

White discharge

If white discharge from the nipples is not associated with pregnancy, breastfeeding, or continues for more than five months after the end of feeding, this may indicate the presence of galactorrhea. The disease occurs when the body produces excessive amounts of the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for milk production. White, less often brownish or yellow discharge from the chest, in addition to galactorrhea, can cause malfunctions in some organs, kidneys or liver, ovarian and thyroid diseases, hypothyroidism and pituitary tumors.

Black, dark brown, or green discharge from the nipples

Such discharge from the mammary glands is observed in women after 40 years. They are caused by ectasia. The condition occurs due to inflammation of the milk ducts, resulting in a thick substance that is brown or even black or dark green in color.

The discharge of pus from the nipple is not only extremely unpleasant, but also very dangerous symptom, which should alert and force you to immediately consult a doctor. And to know what to expect, find out possible reasons of this phenomenon.

First, it is worth noting that pus is an exudate resulting from purulent or serous inflammation fabrics. Such a liquid has a viscous consistency, a yellowish or grayish tint, often bad smell. It consists of leukocytes, cholesterol, globulins, fats, albumins, particles skin and soft tissues, DNA impurities, as well as enzymes and waste products of inflammatory pathogens - pathogenic microorganisms.

Given the above, we can conclude that pus does not form in the chest just like that, its accumulation and release is preceded by an inflammatory process. And in most cases pathological changes flowing in the tissues of the mammary glands do not go unnoticed and provoke a number of other symptoms:

  • puffiness
  • hyperemia
  • bursting
  • discomfort
  • soreness
  • redness
  • engorgement
  • burning

Pus can be released from the nipples only when exposed to them (for example, when pressed) or flow freely if its amount is significant.

Non-purulent discharge that may cause anxiety

Far from always, the discharge is purulent, although sometimes in consistency and shade they really resemble pathological exudate. But if the leakage of fluid from the nipples is not accompanied by severe and obvious inflammation, and there are no other symptoms, then most likely it is not pus.

Possible situations in which a liquid similar to pus may be released from the nipples:

  • Pregnancy. In the second half, colostrum begins to form in the breast, which future mom may notice on underwear. Its release does not cause concern, and the liquid itself has a rather thick consistency and a yellowish-transparent color.
  • Lactation. The allocation of milk between feedings is quite normal phenomenon, so it shouldn't be a concern.
  • If the discharge is very scarce and extremely rare, almost transparent or slightly yellowish, has no smell and is released when you press the nipples, then this can also be considered a variant of the norm. In the mammary glands, even outside the lactation period, a small amount of a special secret is secreted, which can go out through the milky tubules. The volume of discharge can increase with overheating, with intense physical activity, as a result of stimulation of the mammary glands or after certain procedures.
  • Galactorrhea is the spontaneous secretion of milk outside the period of breastfeeding. Normally, it can be released for some time after the end of lactation, but, as a rule, no longer than 6-12 months (in some cases, 1.5-2 years). If a woman has not been breastfeeding for a long time, and even more so she has never fed, then galactorrhea is caused by hormonal disorders, namely, an increase in the level of prolactin responsible for lactation. An increase in its amount in the body may be the result of an abortion or miscarriage, taking oral contraceptives and other hormonal drugs, diseases of the thyroid gland, adrenal glands or pituitary gland, liver failure(this body ensures the utilization of hormones), certain gynecological or oncological diseases.
  • Mastopathy. With such a common disease, discharge from the nipples can also be observed, but in most cases they are not purulent in nature.
  • Milk duct ectasia pathological expansion, most often developing in women over forty-five years old. With such a pathology, the resulting secret does not dissolve in the chest, as with normal condition ducts, and rushes along them to the tubules located in the nipples and goes out. In some cases, the deviation requires medical intervention.

Possible causes of purulent discharge

Suppuration of the nipples may be due to next states, pathologies and diseases:

  • Mastitis - having inflammatory character disease. In most cases, it develops during the lactation period due to damage to the skin as a result of improper attachment or insufficient emptying of the breast. With such a disease, the discharge is accompanied by pain, hyperemia, severe swelling, bursting, an increase in the size of the mammary gland, as well as an increase in body temperature and clearly palpable lumps.
  • Intraductal papillomas. These are neoplasms resembling warts, located on the walls of the ducts and, accordingly, deforming them. In some cases, with papillomas, purulent discharge from the nipples is observed. And when probing, seals can be detected.
  • Malignant or benign neoplasms, especially located inside the milk ducts and deforming them. Pus can be released with a significant size of the tumors, therefore, during examination, they will certainly be clearly palpable.
  • Damage and further infection of the tissues of the nipple. This zone can be damaged as a result of rough stimulation, invasive procedures(including piercing), non-compliance with the pumping technique (especially manual), injuries.
  • Cracks in the nipples occur when improperly applied during lactation and become peculiar entrance gate for various pathogenic microorganisms, such as streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, enterobacteria. Their activity causes inflammation and, as a result, the release of pus.
  • Mastopathy can lead to the formation of pus if the tissues that grow pathologically in the breast irritate and deform the milk ducts, damaging their walls. With this disease, a number of other symptoms are observed: engorgement of the mammary glands, seals in them, discomfort, changes in shape and size, soreness.
  • Recently transferred surgical operations on the chest. If tissue infection occurs during or after them, this can provoke suppuration.
  • Furuncles or carbuncles. If they are located on the nipples, which, although rare, happens, then pus from the cavity can exit through the lactiferous tubules if it does not find another way out. Such neoplasms look like red abscesses rising above the skin, very painful under mechanical influences.

What to do

If you notice the discharge of pus from mammary gland, then this is clearly warning sign requiring immediate medical attention. A specialist mammologist will conduct a thorough examination and prescribe a number of diagnostic procedures: ductography, x-ray, mammography, ultrasound, blood tests. Based on the results obtained, a diagnosis will be made.

Treatment depends on the causes of suppuration. To stop inflammation, antiseptics and anti-inflammatory drugs may be recommended. At bacterial infections antibiotics are prescribed. Sometimes admission is required hormonal drugs. And to open the abscesses and remove the neoplasms localized in the chest, surgical intervention will be required.

Pus exuding from the nipples - unpleasant symptom, which should alert any woman who cares about her health and force her to visit a doctor.

Discharges from the mammary gland are lactational ( breast milk after the birth of the baby) and non-lactation. The latter may be symptoms dangerous diseases. They differ in color, consistency, for example, yellow discharge from the mammary glands. Based on the characteristics of discharge from the mammary gland when pressed, the doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis, which is then confirmed by diagnostic studies.

How does this happen

Secretions from the mammary glands pass through the same ducts as breast milk. However, it is not at all necessary that liquid will flow from all channels at the same time. It often happens that the secretions come out of only one gland. It is important to remember the nature of the discharge, their frequency, in order to inform the mammologist to make the correct diagnosis.

There are discharges from the mammary glands with pressure for completely different reasons. It can be both oncology and simple hormonal disbalance in organism. In order not to guess how it will turn out, you should visit a doctor.

With age and the number of pregnancies, the risk of discharge from the mammary glands with pressure increases.

When discharge is the norm

In some situations, discharge from the mammary glands are variants of the norm.

Sterile liquid

A clear liquid from the mammary glands is a secret, sometimes released in small quantities. It has not only color, but also no smell.

The appearance may be due to:

  • chest injuries;
  • taking certain medicines;
  • arousal during sexual contact;
  • frequent stimulation of the nipples.
  • white liquid

    In pregnant and lactating women, white discharge from the mammary glands is quite normal, since this is milk. In expectant mothers, the liquid is released in a smaller volume, only with pressure. For some period of time after lactation, milk may still be secreted, this is also normal.

    Pathologies

    Discharge from the mammary glands when pressed, which are accompanied by an unpleasant odor, bright color, are the main sign of a serious illness.

    duct expansion

    When the ducts expand soft tissues chest, with pressure on the mammary gland, fluid is released. This is due to the fact that a very viscous mass of dark color affects the milky ways, changing their shape. Pathology may be accompanied inflammatory process, but this is optional. The color of the discharge depends on the individual.

    Drug and alternative treatment does not solve the problem, it can only alleviate the condition. Ectasia can only be cured with surgery.

    Injury

    Bloody discharge from the breast may appear due to severe bruise, for example, when hitting the simulator. They appear within two days, accompanied by painful sensations.

    Injury can provoke the appearance of neoplasms in the chest, inflammatory processes.

    Fluid from the mammary glands when pressed occurs when papilloma, a benign tumor, forms in the milky tract.

    However, it does not occur as a symptom of the virus, but for reasons still unknown to science. Such an ailment is treated only promptly. Allocations are not specific.

    Mastitis

    Purulent discharge from the mammary glands, when pressed, appears due to inflammation of the chest area. Mastitis is a disease characteristic of the period of breastfeeding.

    Passing signs are fever, chills, general deterioration of well-being, soreness at the site of compaction. Pus from the mammary gland is also released during an abscess, the difference of which is not inflammation of the site, but the accumulation of pus in the mammary gland in one place.

    Galactorrhea

    If a girl has never given birth, has not been pregnant, but she secretes milk, this is due to a hormonal surge in prolactin.

    This can happen after frequent nipple stimulation or hormone therapy.

    Mastopathy

    disease in fibrocystic form, as a rule, is accompanied by dark secretions from the mammary glands when pressed. In addition to this symptom, a woman may not have other symptoms.

    However, when discharge appears, you should immediately contact a specialist, because such symptoms indicate the transition of mastopathy to oncology.

    A malignant tumor is manifested not only by dark and unpleasant smelling discharge from the mammary gland, but also by its external deformation.

    As soon as a woman has noticed such a sign in herself, an urgent consultation of a doctor is necessary, which will refer to diagnostic examination to confirm or refute the diagnosis.

    nipple cancer

    Bloody discharge is a symptom not only of injury, but also of oncology.

    If the nipple is flaky, retracted, reddened, and the areola itches, it may be Paget's disease.

    Types and color of secretions

    The color of the discharge can suggest a disease:

    1. Greens. Thick and slimy green discharge from the mammary glands when pressed is a sign of progressive mastopathy. Adverse symptoms: soreness, fever, seals in the affected areas. Greenish discharge from the mammary glands, when pressed, occur in young girls with mastitis.
    2. yellow. If the yellow discharge from the mammary glands is light or milky when pressed, there is no point in worrying. This happens due to hormonal adjustment in the body associated with pregnancy. yellow discharge from the chest of a purulent nature are signs of inflammatory and infectious processes. Accompanied severe discomfort, elevated temperature, swelling of the chest.
    3. Brown. In the milky way, bleeding occurs due to the development of neoplasms. It's accompanied brown discharge from the mammary glands when pressed. In addition, the liquid of this color from the chest - clear sign cancer or mastitis.
    4. Transparent. Because of frequent stress, reduced immunity, hormonal imbalance arise transparent selection from the mammary glands when pressed. If they do not bring discomfort, are not accompanied by fever, swelling or fetid odor, then this is normal. In older women, due to duectasia, clear discharge from the mammary glands may also appear when pressed. They also accompany chest injuries in mild form, and happen after sexual contact.
    5. black. Black discharge from the chest is the most dangerous. Their constant companions are severe pain in the mammary glands, changing their shape. They occur both in severe cases of mastopathy and in cancerous diseases. Required urgent appeal to the doctor.
    6. Bloody. Such fluid can be seen after a severe bruise. Also bloody issues- a symptom of a benign or malignant tumor.

    Diagnostics

    Mammologist sends to diagnostic tests to determine why fluid is secreted from the mammary glands.

    What types of examinations can he order?

    1. Breast ultrasound.
    2. Mammography.
    3. Analyzes of discharge from the nipples (cytology and seeding for microflora).
    4. Ductography.
    5. MRI of the pituitary gland (located in the brain).
    6. Blood test for hormones.

    Treatment and prognosis

    As soon as a woman notices that fluid is secreted from the nipple, she should get an appointment with a specialist. He will prescribe examination methods, after which he will determine the diagnosis, in accordance with which he will select the treatment.

    Therapy may include conservative methods therapy: antibiotics, hormonal drugs. It is prescribed, for example, when pus appears from the breast. But there are times when the only way to get rid of the disease is through surgery.

    Alternative methods of treatment usually do not give the desired result, they can have a short-term effect, relieve pain a little, remove some symptoms, but they will not completely cure the disease. Methods folk treatment it is better to include in the therapy complex, but not to be treated in any way, using only them.

    How more dangerous diagnosis, the worse the prognosis. It also depends on the stage at which treatment began. If the discharge is related to human physiology, then they will soon pass by themselves.

    Prevention

    A woman should always take care of her health reproductive system. The mammary glands are often hormonal changes, so they can be the first to indicate that something is wrong in the body.

    To avoid diseases that are accompanied by liquid from the nipples, you need:

    1. Avoid stress.
    2. Stick to healthy lifestyle life (rejection bad habits, balanced daily menu, sports).
    3. Monitor your weight and correct it if it is overweight.
    4. When choosing hormonal drugs, be sure to contact an experienced doctor who, based on tests and examinations, will prescribe a remedy that is suitable individually. However, it must be remembered that taking it a long period it is forbidden!
    5. Perform breast self-examination.
    6. Regularly visit a mammologist, gynecologist in order to preventive examination. Women over 30 should do this at least once a year.

    Discharge from the mammary glands when pressed can be different in color, smell and consistency. So they testify various diseases V female body. But there are cases when the fluid released from the nipples is associated with physiological processes. In any case, it is better to make an appointment with a doctor so that he can diagnose and recommend treatment.

    Video

    What the discharge from the nipple says, our video will tell.

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