Breast secretions in women. Causes of discharge from the mammary glands when pressed

What does discharge from the mammary glands indicate when pressed?

Discharge from the mammary glands when pressed is a common reason for women to visit a mammologist.

But even if the patient is seriously concerned about the appearance of fluid, we are not necessarily talking about the presence of any pathology.

What types of discharge are found?

Exudate from the mammary glands can appear when pressed or on its own.

It can be of different shades:

• transparent or white;
• yellow;
• green;
• brown;
• bloody.

It also varies in consistency: either liquid, watery or thick.

What is the norm

Often, before menstruation, a woman may experience clear or whitish drops that come out of her nipples when pressed.

The appearance of such drops is considered normal and is due to the increased activity of the hormonal system at this time.

Women who have stopped breastfeeding may experience small amounts of milk from the nipples for up to six months. As a rule, if the areolas are not irritated, it goes away on its own.

It is also considered normal for fluid to be discharged from the mammary glands during pregnancy. This liquid (colostrum) most often has a yellowish tint.

The formation of colostrum is usually observed in the last trimester of pregnancy, but sometimes it can begin to be released earlier.

They can often accompany some pathological processes in the body.

Ectasia of the milk ducts (duectasia)

Duectasia is a pathological condition. This phenomenon is considered a disease when it is not caused by lactation or does not occur in the postpartum period.

The formation of milk in the female breast occurs not only after the birth of a child, but also throughout the entire reproductive period.

It is formed in small quantities because there is no stimulation, and the milk is absorbed even before reaching the nipples.

When, due to some circumstances, there is a violation of the patency of the ducts or a loss of elasticity of their walls, then in certain areas their expansion may be observed.

The duct begins to become inflamed and filled with greenish-brown fluid, which is then released from the nipple.

For reference!

Duectasis itself is not considered dangerous to a woman’s health, and if the disturbances are minor and there are no neoplasms, then only drug therapy and constant monitoring of the glands are prescribed.

In the later stages of duectasis, complications may arise, such as the appearance of cysts on the walls of the ducts or the accumulation of milk, which can lead to inflammation of the mammary glands.

Causes

The main causes of duectasis are considered to be hormonal changes, which result in increased formation of the hormone prolactin, as well as a number of diseases that lead to a narrowing of the lumen of the milk ducts.

This condition is usually observed in women over 40 years of age. During this period, estrogen levels decrease and prolactin levels in the blood increase, which leads to a slight increase in milk production and dilation of the ducts.

Along with these processes, a decrease in tissue elasticity occurs due to a decrease in the amount of collagen. All this leads to the fact that after the expansion of the duct, the walls no longer take their original shape.

All changes that occur in a woman’s hormonal system during menopause increase the risk of developing mammary gland pathologies. Women of this age are advised to especially closely monitor any changes in breast condition.

Duectasis can develop due to obstructions in the passage of milk. This blockage of the duct occurs in the following situations:

1. A woman walks around in tight underwear.
2. There was a chest injury.
3. Previously, surgical intervention on the mammary glands was performed.
4. Inflammation has begun in some part of the duct.
5. A tumor has developed that is compressing the mammary glands.

Duectasis is diagnosed much less frequently in young girls. This is usually due to the presence of ovarian diseases and disruptions of the endocrine system.

Symptoms

In addition to the appearance of dark exudate from the nipples, symptoms of ectasia include the following:

1. The shape of the nipples changes: they become wider and flatter.
2. Swelling occurs around the nipples and areolas.
3. The skin of the areolas becomes rough.
4. Red spots are visible on the chest.
5. There is a burning sensation and...
6. Chest pain.

Duectasia in most cases can be successfully treated with medication.

Galactorrhea

Galactorrhea is a discharge not associated with the lactation period.

Most experts consider it not an independent disease, but only a symptom of a hormonal imbalance in the body that arose due to some disease.

Causes

The following diseases can cause the development of galactorrhea:

• disorders in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland;
• neoplasms in the adrenal glands;
• polycystic ovary syndrome;
• renal or liver failure;
• disorders of the thyroid gland.

In addition, the disease can be triggered by long-term use of certain medications, such as hormonal contraceptives.

Symptoms

The main symptom of galactorrhea is the appearance of white or whitish exudate from the nipples. In addition, symptoms of the disease are:

• decreased sex drive;
• the appearance of acne on the face;
• menstrual irregularities;
• pain in the chest area.

If galactorrhea is caused by a malignant tumor, then patients may complain of intense headaches and loss of coordination.

For reference!

Since galactorrhea is a condition that accompanies a number of other diseases, its treatment consists of eliminating the cause that caused its appearance.

The disease is an inflammation that affects the tissue of the mammary glands.

In most cases, mastitis occurs during lactation or immediately after it. However, young girls and even little girls can also experience mastitis.

Causes

Typically, the causative agent of infection is staphylococcal bacteria, and less commonly, E. coli. Factors predisposing to mastitis may be:

• hypothermia;
• stagnation of secretions in the glands;
• transfer of infection through the bloodstream to the mammary gland.

The disease is accompanied by purulent tissue breakdown, and discharge from the nipples is purulent in nature.

Symptoms and treatment

In addition to discharge, mastitis has the following clinical manifestations:

1. Pain appears in the chest area, which increases over time.
2. Lumps appear in the chest.
3. In the area of ​​inflammation, the skin becomes red and hot to the touch.
4. The breasts swell and enlarge.
5. The woman feels weak and unwell.
6. The temperature is rising.

Mastitis is highly treatable, but in advanced cases it can lead to a number of serious complications, such as blood poisoning.

For reference!

At the initial stages of the disease, treatment is carried out with antibiotics, but if it turns out to be ineffective, surgical intervention is resorted to.

Intraductal papilloma

If a woman notices the discharge of clear, greenish or brown fluid, this may indicate the occurrence of intraductal papilloma.

It is a benign formation that develops in the milk duct. The growths can be single or multiple in nature - in such cases papillomatosis is diagnosed.

Both young girls during puberty and postmenopausal women are susceptible to this disease.

Causes

The main reason for the appearance of intraductal papilloma is considered to be hormonal imbalance and the diseases that lead to it, such as:

• ovarian dysfunction;
• obesity;
• adnexitis;
• oophoritis.

Hereditary predisposition to this pathology also plays an important role.

Symptoms

Along with discharge, a characteristic symptom of the development of intraductal papilloma is the presence of compactions that are felt upon palpation.

However, if the tumor is small, it cannot be felt. In this case, the presence of papilloma is determined based on laboratory analysis of discharge and ultrasound of the mammary glands.

In addition, a woman feels pain in the chest when it is compressed, and inflammation that begins near the papilloma often leads to swelling of the tissue and redness of the skin.

Mastopathy

Discharge from the mammary glands may indicate mastopathy.

This is a disease consisting of the proliferation of connective tissue of the mammary gland. The exudate may be transparent, but more often it is brown or green.

Which have a thick mucous consistency - a characteristic sign of mastopathy.

Causes and features of the course

The most common cause of this pathology is regular changes in hormonal levels in the female body.

In addition to hormonal imbalance, the appearance of mastopathy can lead to:

• abortions;
• previous sexually transmitted infections;
• some gynecological diseases;
• ovarian dysfunction;
• stress.

There are two main stages of the disease. The initial stage is called diffuse mastopathy and is characterized by the appearance of small nodules in the mammary gland.

The main symptom at this stage is breast pain, which appears before menstruation and subsides when it begins. In addition, lumps at the top of the chest may periodically occur.

At the next stage - nodular - dense nodes with a diameter of 5 to 20 mm are formed in the mammary gland. The pain increases and begins to radiate to the armpits and shoulders.

When palpating the breast, its granular structure is easily determined. In the second stage, pain and lumps no longer go away when menstruation begins.

Treatment

The formations arising from mastopathy are not malignant, and surgical
Intervention for this disease is very rarely indicated.

Standard drug treatment for mastopathy includes:

• taking hormonal medications;
• diet;
• taking vitamins.

If the pain bothers the patient greatly, painkillers may be prescribed.

Breast cancer

The most serious reason for the appearance of discharge from the mammary glands is the presence of a malignant tumor.

The liquid released during this process can have a different color: yellow, brown or greenish.

However, bloody discharge is most often observed. The difference in color is due to:

• type of tumor;
• its shape;
• features of its location.

A type of breast cancer is Paget's disease, a neoplasm that affects the nipple and areola.

For reference!

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women. According to statistics, it is diagnosed in 16% of patients.

Symptoms

Unfortunately, breast cancer may not manifest itself for a long time. The earliest symptom is the appearance of bloody discharge from the chest.

Symptoms of breast cancer also include the following:

1. Nodules and lumps can be felt in the chest.
2. The integrity of the skin is compromised. These may be minor wounds that do not heal for a long time. Then they turn into ulcers, begin to merge and spread.
3. The shape and overall appearance of the breast changes. It enlarges, becomes deformed and loses symmetry.
4. The color of the skin in the affected area may change. You can observe the appearance of dimples and areas with flaky or rough skin.
5. The shape of the nipple and areola changes. The nipple “squeezes in” and becomes flattened. The lymph nodes in the armpits become enlarged.
6. The second stage of cancer is characterized by the penetration of cancer cells into the lymph nodes, and this may be associated with their hardening and enlargement, sometimes pain.
7. Chest pain.
8. Itching in the area of ​​the nipple, areola.

If a woman notices similar symptoms, it is recommended to immediately consult a specialist. The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the higher the chances of recovery.

Early diagnosis is the key to successful treatment, so any discharge from the mammary glands should not be ignored, as it may be signs of serious illness.

Drainage from the nipple is a cause for concern. This may be an alarming sign indicating a serious illness, but do not panic ahead of time. In fact, there are many pathological factors that can provoke such a phenomenon, and oncology is in the very last place. Discharge from the nipples of the breast can be provoked by much more trivial factors - mastopathy, papilloma, or a common cold of the chest.

Symptoms

You may notice discharge from one gland or from both. They pass through the same ducts as milk, so the pattern of their appearance is the same. Discharge from the nipples in women can be of different colors. Representatives of the fair sex who are of reproductive age may experience brown as well as green discharge. The latter usually indicate the development of mastopathy. In addition, the discharge can be transparent or resemble colostrum. This phenomenon is typical for girls expecting a baby, nursing mothers and those who have completed breastfeeding. In fact, after the cessation of lactation, slight discharge of fluid from the nipples may continue for another six months. If this phenomenon bothers you longer, consult a doctor.

Causes

A specialist mammologist will conduct a special examination to find out the causes of problems in the body. This symptom may bother you with galactorrhea - this is an ailment that occurs due to various causes:

Enlargement of the thyroid gland (a common occurrence after the birth of a child);
- the appearance of tumors (as a result of hormonal imbalances);
- consumption of medications;
- nipple stimulation (with a breast pump or baby);
- various kidney lesions.

Pathological reasons:

- Oncological lesion of the breast. Sometimes nipple discharge indicates such a disease, although it is very rare. This phenomenon manifests itself as intraductal cancer, as well as Paget's cancer. The latter disease is a tumor that is located with the nipple entering the affected area. Other symptoms of this type of cancer include a changed shape of the nipple, darkening of the areola area, as well as severe itching sensations in the chest. The discharge is most often bloody. Timely diagnosis is a guarantee of successful treatment.

- Mastopathy. This is a lesion of the breast, which is manifested by an imbalance of the mammary glands, which is accompanied by the formation of cystic components (hardening of certain areas of the breast). This disease can develop as a result of hormonal imbalances.

- Mastitis- this is an ailment that is accompanied by the formation of pus, and this, in turn, sometimes passes inside the milk ducts.

Injury. Even minor damage to the breast can cause uncharacteristic discharge from the nipples.

- Intraductal papilloma. This formation is benign, it is small in size and is located in the milk duct, causing discharge. Typically, this disease occurs in women between the ages of thirty-five and fifty-five. This formation appears for reasons unknown to science and is quite easily eliminated, sometimes without surgical intervention.

- Ectasia. This is an inflammatory lesion inside the milk duct. This disease can affect a woman over forty years old, and it is treated using compresses and antibiotics selected by a specialist. Sometimes the doctor recommends eliminating the affected duct through surgery.

- Abscess. This is the name given to accumulated purulent masses inside the mammary gland. This situation can occur during the lactation period. Active sucking by a child often leads to the appearance of cracks in the nipples, and they can serve as a kind of entrance gate for pathogens of various ailments. This pathological process makes itself felt with purulent discharge, and the breasts may turn red and significantly increase in size. Therapy is usually performed surgically, and antibiotics must also be taken.

In this case, experts strongly recommend that women regularly palpate their breasts to determine lumps of various etiologies. In addition, you should visually examine both the mammary glands in general and the nipples in particular in order to promptly notice any deformations, redness and other possible changes.

Visit to the doctor

Regardless of your suspicions regarding the etiology of the discharge, you still need to visit a doctor. Only a specialist can determine the correct diagnosis and choose the right treatment.

You should tell your doctor about:

Color of discharge;
- frequency of their occurrence;
- whether they arise from one breast or from both;
- appear from one hole or from several;
- do they appear on their own or after pressing;
- the presence of any other ailments or symptoms that bother you;
- chest injuries;
- use of any medications.

The specialist will examine you and refer you for additional tests: ultrasound, mammography and other tests (CBC, blood test for hormones). Based on the data received, the doctor will make a diagnosis and select treatment. It may involve the use of hormonal drugs, antibiotics, folk remedies, or surgical intervention.

You should not ignore such an alarming symptom as discharge from the nipples. A timely visit to the doctor can save your health, and sometimes even your life.

If dark discharge occurs from the mammary glands when pressed, this cannot be considered a normal condition; you should be examined by a doctor and find out the cause of the deviation. After examining the patient’s chest and assessing the nature of the fluid, the doctor makes a preliminary diagnosis, which can be confirmed by further research. Often, fluid is released from the chest due to the presence of serious diseases that need to be identified and treated as soon as possible, without pushing the condition to a critical level.

Fluid can be released from the mammary gland for physiological and pathological reasons. If there is no disease, then we are talking about a woman who is going to breastfeed. The fluid comes out of the milk ducts, moves towards the nipple and flows out when pressed.

If a woman is not carrying a baby, and yellow, brown or black discharge appears when pressed, this may be the result of pathological processes in the body that need to be identified and treated.

A problem appears due to inflammatory processes, can be noted with mastitis, talk about the formation of malignant tumors, and be a harbinger of menopause.

If a woman, after pressing on her breasts, reveals a discharge, then it is not a fact that it is necessary to see a doctor and be examined.

Discharge from the mammary glands when pressed

Brown, yellow or black discharge may appear with slight pressure. If you put a little pressure on the nipple and breast, the fluid present in the mammary gland appears.

The female body is designed in such a way that this process is physiologically normal, although only during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

This manifestation may accompany menstruation or menopause, which cannot be called a significant deviation from the norm.

Pathological fluids appear from the nipple, as they pass through the same gland ducts as milk. The problem may appear due to hormonal imbalances, physical trauma, excessive stress, due to frequent stimulation of the nipples or during sexual intercourse. Whether the secretion is safe will be determined by its color, smell, consistency, and frequency.

What to do if you notice discharge

The mammary gland in women is designed to produce milk for the baby. Everyone knows that it is white, appears with childbirth and disappears when the mother stops feeding the baby. If something flows out of the gland for no reason, has a pronounced color and an unpleasant odor, then you need to do the following:

• Keep track of how often the problem is noted, what shade the liquid has, how abundantly it comes out.
• Go for a consultation with a mammologist.
• Get an initial examination from a doctor.
• Have a mammogram and ultrasound examination of the mammary glands.
• Submit a routine culture for microflora.
• Get an MRI and ductography.
• Take a blood test to determine your hormone levels.

After the research, a medical specialist will make a diagnosis and, if there is a disease, it will be treated.

Causes of breast discharge

Green, yellow or black discharge from the breast indicates the presence of a specific problem in the body.

The reason for the appearance of fluid may not be pathological or may indicate the presence of a specific disease.

Reasons why pus or other contents may appear from the chest include the following:

• Frequent nipple stimulation
• Failure of the hormonal system
• Presence of cancer
• Have a cyst or are experiencing early menopause
• The mammary gland was subject to mechanical damage
• Woman performing excessively heavy physical activity
• Galactorrhea or mastopathy is noted
• Milky ducts are too dilated

The exact cause of the secretion can be determined after examination; you cannot use medications on your own without knowing the true cause of the pathology.

The meaning of the color of the discharge

If pressure was applied to the milk duct and a secretion appeared from there, then you need to pay attention to its color, consistency, smell, because this says a lot.

Green color

When, when pressing on the right or left nipple, a green liquid appears, then the following conclusion can be drawn:

• The breast tissue has grown excessively, and mastopathy is present.
• You need to go to the doctor and try treatment.
• The sooner you pay attention to the problem, the faster it will be resolved.

This pathology is not fatal, it is completely curable, the main thing is to pay attention to it in time.

The discharge is transparent

Liquid that has a transparent tint does not indicate serious pathologies. Often, such discharge becomes a consequence of mechanical trauma, appears during stress, and also indicates changes in hormonal levels during the menstrual cycle.

Yellow

Before a woman is about to have a baby, yellow discharge from the breasts is noted - this is colostrum. Also, such discharge may be the first sign of pregnancy.

Discharge is brown

If the discharge is brownish in color, we can say that bleeding has appeared in the ducts. It occurs due to mechanical damage to blood vessels, there is a cyst or tumors are growing.

The discharge is bloody

If the mammary gland secretes a bloody secretion, then we can talk about the presence of a benign or oncological tumor in the breast. You should be concerned if fluid mixed with blood is constantly being released from one gland, the breasts have enlarged, become denser and hurt when palpated.

White color

This type of secretion that flows from the mammary gland speaks of galactorrhea. This means that pregnancy has not occurred, but the hormone prolactin is actively produced by the body and there is milk in the milk ducts.

Discharge is dark

If the color of the discharge is dark, then there are neoplasms in the mammary gland. The discharge begins to darken due to blood impurities, sometimes its color is completely black or brown. This speaks not only of discharge, but also of infectious or purulent processes.

When nipple discharge is normal

A woman’s monthly cycle involves changes in hormonal levels, so if there are slight, transparent streaks during menstruation, this is normal.

The appearance of yellowish discharge from the nipples during pregnancy, pregnancy, or the second trimester is a normal condition.

If a woman undergoes a breast examination while she is taking hormonal pills and antidepressants, this also cannot be considered a deviation.

When, after looking at the breast secretion, a girl realizes that the shade looks too dark, she needs to think about visiting a doctor. The period during which a specific secret is allocated also plays an important role.

If this has been noted once, then there is nothing to worry about, but when the processes become regular and are accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, you need to go to a specialist and get a full examination. You shouldn’t pay attention to who writes what review on the Internet, because such problems should be dealt with by a professional, and not by people’s advisers and girlfriends.

If fluid is leaking from the chest, this is not necessarily a serious pathology, but to determine its exact cause, you need to go to the doctor.

If they are dark and smell unpleasant, then some pathological condition already exists and the sooner treatment begins, the better the result will be. You should not ignore such a manifestation, because it can be an alarming signal. The right decision for every woman is to regularly visit a doctor and be attentive to her health so that unpleasant problems do not arise at all.

Breast discharge, nipple discharge- a very common cause of complaints with which people turn to a mammologist.

Fluid may leak from one or both breasts, sometimes on its own, sometimes from pressure.

The color of breast discharge can be clear, cloudy, colostrum-like, white, gray, yellow, greenish, purulent, brown or even bloody.

The consistency of the discharge can be thick or completely liquid and watery.

It must be remembered that suddenly appearing breast discharge in non-breastfeeding women are quite an alarming symptom and are often a sign of various serious diseases.

Possible causes of nipple discharge:

. Dilation of the milk ducts (ectasia)- one of the most common causes of pathological discharge from the chest. One or more ducts become inflamed and the duct fills with thick, sticky green or black secretions. Most often occurs in women 40-50 years old. In some cases, surgery is required to remove the affected duct.

. Galactorrhea- secretion of milk, colostrum or milk-like fluid from the mammary glands. The reasons are an increase in the level of prolactin in the body, as well as other hormonal imbalances in the body as a result of taking hormonal contraceptives, insufficiency of thyroid function, pituitary tumor (prolactinoma), etc.

. Mastopathy(usually fibrocystic form). Discharge from the nipples is clear, yellow or green.

Acute or chronic diseases of the pelvic organs(uterus, appendages), as well as condition after abortion or miscarriage

. Closed breast injury. The discharge may be clear, yellow or bloody

. Purulent diseases of the breast(accumulation of pus). Treatment: surgical (opening of the abscess) + antibiotics

. Mastitis(acute infectious inflammation of the mammary glands). Treatment can be either conservative or surgical, depending on the degree of neglect

. Intraductal papilloma(benign tumor). Discharge from the breast is usually bloody and has a thick consistency. Surgical treatment with mandatory histological examination of the removed material (to exclude malignancy)

. Mammary cancer(malignant tumor). Just like intraductal papilloma, it can be asymptomatic. Particularly alarming signs are the presence of spontaneous bloody discharge from only one breast, as well as at the same time an increase in the size of the mammary gland and/or the detection of nodular formations

. Paget's disease(a special form of breast cancer) is a tumor that specifically affects the nipple. Signs of this cancer are burning, itching in the nipple area, redness or darkening of the areola, peeling of the skin of the nipple and areola, changes in the appearance of the nipple (deformation, retraction, ulceration), bloody discharge from the nipple. The standard treatment is a mastectomy (removal of the entire breast). Sometimes it is possible to remove only the tumor within healthy tissue.

If you detect any discharge from the breast, you should consult a mammologist for examination.

To clarify the cause of the discharge and make the correct diagnosis, a thorough comprehensive examination is necessary:

Examination by a mammologist,
. Ultrasound of the mammary glands ,
. cytological examination of nipple discharge,
. blood test for hormones,
. if necessary, mammography with duct contrast.

If, in addition to discharge, there are any warning signs of trouble in the mammary gland, such as swelling, hardening, pain, this is a reason for an emergency unscheduled visit to the doctor and an additional in-depth examination.

Discharge from one nipple deserve special attention and research.

If you have bloody discharge from the chest, you should consult a doctor URGENTLY!

When fluid is released from the breast, this phenomenon often indicates the development of breast disease.

The exception is the period of gestation, when such discharge from the breast may appear throughout pregnancy. Therefore, as soon as a non-pregnant woman begins to experience white discharge from the nipples or liquid of any other color over a long period of time, she urgently needs to undergo examination and undergo the treatment prescribed by the doctor as soon as possible.

This symptom should also alert representatives of the stronger sex. After all, it can manifest itself if inflammation of the mammary gland in men or other pathological processes develops. Therefore, fluid from the mammary glands in representatives of both sexes is an alarming sign that should be addressed to a specialist immediately.

What causes discharge?

Women's breasts contain milk ducts, which are located between fibrous and fatty tissue. Each canal has an opening at the top of the nipple. All women have an individual number of ducts, but the maximum number can reach up to fifteen. Through the milk ducts, not only milk and colostrum are produced, but also physiological secretion.

In the absence of diseases or the influence of external negative factors, the following condition is inherent in whitish, transparent discharge from the mammary glands:

• scanty and abundant;
• thick and watery;
• viscous or slimy.

Any uniform consistency of secretion from the canals is normal, but only against the background of a transparent shade of liquid and a small volume. If there is too much discharge, it is not recommended to postpone a visit to the mammologist.

For a certain condition, there are indicators of the norm of physiological secretion:

1. Scanty, thick (one or two drops). It is noted when pressing on the chest in young girls and nulliparous women a few days before menstruation and during increased sexual arousal.
2. Not very abundant, liquid. Characteristic of older women and women who have given birth, but the appearance of thick liquid is possible.
3. Viscous. Colostrum occurs during gestation, breastfeeding, and for several years after cessation of lactation (individual indicator).

What could it be?

The first alarming symptom that indicates a possible disease is discharge from the mammary gland, which occurs when pressed and independently.

The causes of discharge are:

1. Physiological: at birth - engorgement of the glands with the flow of colostrum, the period of pregnancy and lactation, when the gland produces milk, residual discharge after the end of feeding.
2. Pathological-hormonal disorders in the body, age-related changes, inflammatory diseases of the mammary glands, tumors.

Pathological causes of breast discharge

The main causes of pathological discharge are:

1. Chest trauma (blows, bruises). If this happens without violating the integrity of the skin, then within two days the bloody fluid can be easily squeezed out of the nipple.
2. Ductectasia is a disease characterized by pathological dilatation of ducts called subareolar canals. The disease is typical for women after 40, since its main cause is age-related changes. The disease does not pose a health hazard, but only if treated in a timely manner. Otherwise, serious consequences cannot be ruled out.
3. Mastitis and abscess. Ailments either occur during lactation, or are a consequence of penetration of an infected object. With mastitis, the area of ​​the gland becomes inflamed. The cause is a bacterial infection, in most cases Staphylococcus aureus. With an abscess, pus accumulates in the breast tissue, the affected area is limited from the healthy area.
4. Intraductal papilloma– papillary benign tumor. It appears in the duct near the nipple. Due to the development of the tumor, a thick fluid is released, which sometimes contains blood impurities.
5. Fibrocystic mastopathy– the appearance of compacted areas of tissue in the mammary gland. The condition is dangerous because it can develop into cancer.
6. Malignant neoplasm (breast cancer)– a tumor that forms unnoticed due to uncontrolled cell division. Discharge appears when pressure is applied from both mammary glands or only from one.
7. Galactorrhea is a disease in which pressure from the nipple causes milk to leak, but this does not apply to breastfeeding. The main cause of galactorrhea is hormonal imbalance, excess prolactin. The disease sometimes accompanies diseases of the brain or thyroid gland.
8. Paget's disease is a malignant tumor that involves the nipple or areola. The disease is extremely dangerous and requires prompt diagnosis and treatment.

Physiological causes of discharge

Physiological features explain the discharge:

1. Some time after finishing feeding. Discharge may continue for the next two or three years. It depends on the woman’s age and the number of pregnancies she has had.
2. During pregnancy. In the female breast, preparations take place for the birth of a baby and its feeding. The glands train how to produce milk and remove it. Similar processes occur in the third and final trimester. Increased uterine tone stimulates the secretion of cloudy white or yellowish fluid from both mammary glands.
3. When using contraceptives. Oral contraceptives contain hormones that stimulate lactation. The discharge should disappear after discontinuation of contraceptives. They should be replaced with another type. But it is wise to do this only on the recommendation of a doctor.
4. After an abortion. The presence of discharge and its duration are determined by the period at which the artificial termination of pregnancy occurred. They can bother a woman from several days to a month.

The release of a small amount of clear fluid is possible during treatment with hormonal drugs or the use of antidepressants. The cause could be a too-tight bra or physical overload.

Determining the color

Based on the color of the discharge, the doctor can easily determine the disease that is causing the disease:

1. Yellow. Yellow discharge with a creamy tint (colostrum) is released after childbirth in the first days. If a yellowish tint appears before menstruation and is accompanied by pain, then mastopathy can be assumed.
2. Purulent. They appear when an abscess develops inside the ducts, and are observed with mastitis. Bloody discharge is dangerous. They often indicate a malignant neoplasm.
3. White. Appear after taking contraceptives and with a pituitary tumor.
4. Greens. The dark green color is given by the pus that is released during mastitis.
5. Brown. Occurs when a cyst or tumor forms in the mammary gland. A dark-colored liquid is released when it enters the milk ducts when the capillaries are damaged.
6. Transparent. If they appear before menstruation, this is normal.
7. Bloody. This is a sign of the development of a malignant neoplasm or damage to blood vessels.
8. Black. Observed during the disintegration of a malignant neoplasm.

The amount of fluid released may be small or quite large when it is necessary to use breast pads.

Breast self-examination

In order to “catch” the onset of a disease in time, it is useful to conduct periodic breast examinations yourself. It's easy and doesn't take much time.

The examination is carried out in the first half of the monthly cycle after the end of menstruation

1. Once naked to the waist, you need to stand in front of the mirror. With your hands down, carefully examine your chest to see if there is any redness, swelling, or changes in the shape of the glands. Raise your hands behind your head and examine your chest in this position.
2. Gently squeezing the nipples at the bases, check for any discharge.
3. Holding one hand behind your head, use gentle circular movements to examine each gland from the nipples to the armpits. Repeat the examination in the supine position.

Normally, no hardness or swelling should be felt in the chest. Any oddities should alert you - discharge, inverted nipples, bulges, changes in skin color.

You need to examine your breasts yourself once every 3-4 months, this will allow you to notice any changes in a timely manner.

If you detect discharge from the mammary glands, be sure to consult a doctor immediately. There is no need to panic or be afraid. The vast majority of glandular discharges are not cancer. The term “cancerophobia” is even common among doctors, the fear of this disease is so strong among patients. Timely diagnosis and treatment will prevent the development of complications.

When should you see a doctor?

There are a number of symptoms, if they occur, you should immediately contact a specialist:

• discharge bothers you for more than two days;
• they contain an admixture of blood;
• the secretion comes out of only one mammary gland;
• the discharge has a thick consistency;
• peeling appears on the skin of the nipple;
• loss of symmetry (increase in size, formation of dense knots);
• the color of the nipple and the area around it changes;
• pain appears in the chest.

Discharge from the mammary glands when pressed, as well as any changes in this area should not be ignored. Timely visits to the doctor, diagnosis, and therapy will help avoid complications and serious illnesses.

Competent diagnostics

Pathological processes in the mammary gland are the sphere of influence of the mammologist. When contacting him, you will be assigned:

• mammography;
• microscopy and culture of breast discharge;
• ultrasonography;
• Magnetic resonance imaging;
• clinical blood test;
• cytological examination;
• tests for the level of various hormones in the body;
• radiography;
• ductography;
• biopsy, etc.

These diagnostic methods allow you to examine the structure of the mammary gland, assess the degree of its functionality, identify the presence of an inflammatory or infectious process, and also eliminate the risk of developing a cancerous tumor.

In addition, the doctor will listen to the patient, analyze her complaints, trace her medical history, and find out about cases of malignant neoplasms in the woman’s family.

He will then conduct a thorough contact examination of the breast. The concentration and appearance of the discharged fluid will be assessed, as well as the presence of blood in it. The specialist will carefully examine the condition of the breast itself. First of all, he will check for compliance with the norm the size, shape, color, type of nipple, its color and the severity of any changes.

If there are nodules, lumps or painful tumors in the patient’s mammary gland, he will conduct a differential diagnosis.

How to treat?

Discharge is not a disease, but only a symptom of it. It is necessary to find out the cause that caused the symptoms of a particular disease in order to select a therapeutic treatment regimen. It can be conservative, but surgical opening of purulent cavities is not excluded:

1. Treatment of galactorrhea involves eliminating the underlying cause of the disease.
2. Therapy for breast discharge with mastopathy is conservative and symptomatic.
3. In Paget's disease, the affected mammary gland is removed followed by a course of chemotherapy.
4. Lacteal duct ectasia is treated with compresses, and if it becomes infected, antibiotics are prescribed. In special cases, surgical treatment is indicated.
5. Mastitis and abscess can be cured with antibiotics or opening the purulent cavities.
6. Intraductal papilloma (benign formation) develops in the milk duct near the nipple. Treatment consists of surgical removal of the affected area.
7. Hormonal imbalance has serious consequences for a woman’s body. A blood test is required to test sex hormones. Hormonal drugs are prescribed for treatment.
8. In case of breast injury, anti-inflammatory medications are prescribed after a mammological examination.

With constant discharge, surgical removal of the dilated milk duct is possible. If a malignant tumor is detected, the patient is referred to an oncologist. She is prescribed a combination treatment, which includes surgery, radiation and chemotherapy in various combinations.

Prevention

To prevent the development of breast diseases it is necessary:

1. Maintain optimal body weight and daily physical activity
2. Maintain proper diet and sleep
3. Avoid blows, bruises, cuts, punctures and other damage to the chest and décolleté area.
4. Do not neglect natural feeding
5. Give up bad habits, minimize the number of stressful situations
6. Limit from excessive use of hormonal drugs
7. Be examined by a mammologist twice a year

It is equally important to regularly self-palpate the glands. If there are neoplasms, they can be most clearly felt during menstruation. In everyday life, it is better to use comfortable underwear made of natural fabric. The bra should support the breasts, not compress them.