Popular Science | Do you know what nipple discharge is?

Many women accidentally find stains on their underwear when changing it, or find a small amount of water flowing from their nipples when taking a bath, and they are very scared. Today we will briefly talk about nipple discharge.

Normal lesbians have nipple discharge except during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Nipple discharge at other times is strictly abnormal. The common causes can be simply summarized into two aspects: 1. Local breast lesions, such as simple mammary duct ectasia, mammary ductitis, intraductal papilloma, and even intraductal papillary carcinoma. 2. Nipple discharge caused by elevated prolactin due to various reasons.

Therefore, when nipple discharge occurs, we also need to conduct a comprehensive analysis of the nature, color, amount of discharge, single tube or multiple tubes, single breast or double breasts, etc., and sometimes further examinations are required, such as cytological examination of discharge, breast color Doppler ultrasound, breast ductoscopy, prolactin detection and other auxiliary examination methods to confirm the diagnosis. The symptoms of nipple discharge are generally hidden. If nipple discharge occurs, unilateral, single tube, dark red, bright red, coffee-colored, it is recommended to go to a breast specialist for diagnosis and treatment immediately. The possibility of intraductal papilloma is high, and the possibility of intraductal papillary carcinoma cannot be ruled out.

If the discharge is clear and milky, it is likely to be breast duct ectasia or breast ductitis, but don't be careless and seek treatment as soon as possible. Some patients may have elevated prolactin due to pituitary microadenomas, which may cause excessive breast discharge and amenorrhea.

To sum up, although nipple discharge is a minor symptom, its causes are quite complicated and may lead to serious consequences. Therefore, female friends must pay attention to it and pay attention to the breast area when taking a bath or changing underwear. It is important to prevent and treat it early!

About the Author

Professor Feng Xiumei is an associate chief physician of the Breast Department of Qinghai Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine and a member of the Communist Party of China. She has been engaged in clinical work for 20 years and is currently the vice chairman of the Breast Branch of the Qinghai Medical Association, a member of the Breast Science Popularization Professional Group of the Science Popularization Committee of the Chinese Medical Education Association, a member of the Breast Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, a member of the Breast Branch of the Chinese Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, a member of the Qinghai Provincial Women's Doctors Association, a member of the Qinghai Provincial Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine, and a member of the Thyroid Surgery Committee of the Beijing Chaoyang District Preventive Medicine Association.