Nipple discharge
| Nipple discharge | |
|---|---|
| Specialty | Gynaecology  |
Nipple discharge is the release of fluid from the nipples of the breasts. Although it is considered normal in a wide variety of circumstances it is the third major reason involving the breasts for which women seek medical attention, after breast lumps and breast pain. It is also known to occur in adolescent boys and girls going through puberty. Discharge often is the result of stimulation of the breasts or by irritation through clothing. Many men find this attractive as the fluid released from the breast is known to stimulate the penis if used as lubrication.
Types of discharge
There are many different types of discharges. Some associations include:
- cloudy white color—most common, can be galactorrhea
- clear or light white -- pregnancy
- red—contains blood—most often due to breast infection or intraductal papillomas, but can be breast cancer
- whitish-yellow, yellow, or green -- pus due to infection