"No Baby to Breastfeed, Yet Milk Is Coming Out?" ... Turns Out, It Was a "Head" Problem

[Financial News] If a milky discharge comes from the nipples despite not being pregnant or breastfeeding, the cause may need to be sought in the brain rather than the breasts. Nipple discharge is often first suspected to be related to a breast condition, but it can also result from various factors, including hormonal changes, medication, and nipple stimulation. If the discharge keeps recurring, that is why causes beyond the breasts should also be checked.
When a white discharge appears, it is worth checking the prolactin level first. Prolactin is a hormone secreted by the pituitary gland that helps produce breast milk. If prolactin levels rise when a person is not pregnant or breastfeeding, milk may be discharged from the nipples.
There are various causes of elevated prolactin levels, including medication and hypothyroidism. A prolactinoma, a benign tumor that develops in the pituitary gland, is another possible cause. High prolactin levels may also be accompanied by irregular menstruation, amenorrhea, or infertility.
On the other hand, if discharge comes from one nipple without squeezing it, or if the discharge is bloody or clear, a breast condition should be investigated. The cause may be an abnormality in the milk ducts, and possibilities range from benign breast conditions to, in rare cases, malignant disease.
During diagnosis, doctors first assess whether the patient is pregnant or breastfeeding, what medications they are taking, and the nature of the discharge. If a breast condition is suspected, breast ultrasound or mammography may be performed depending on the symptoms and the patient's age. Even when breast examinations show no abnormalities, a blood test can be used to check prolactin levels if a hormonal disorder is suspected.
If prolactin levels are high, doctors first check for other causes, such as medication or thyroid dysfunction. If there is no clear cause or the levels remain elevated, additional tests may be conducted to determine whether a pituitary disorder is present.
Cha Jeong-hwan, chief of the Breast and Thyroid Center in the Department of Surgery at Seran General Hospital, said, "It is difficult to determine the cause of nipple discharge based solely on its color or amount. The timing of the discharge, whether it comes from one or both nipples, and whether it occurs without stimulating the nipple should all be considered together." He added, "In particular, if the discharge recurs regardless of pregnancy or breastfeeding, or if it occurs spontaneously from one nipple, do not ignore the symptom. It is best to see a doctor and determine the cause."




[email protected] Jeong Myeong-jin, medical correspondent Reporter