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What Causes Green Discharge From The Nipples?
Question: My wife is having a grey-light green liquid discharge coming from both of her nipples. (only when pressing the nipples) She is 47 years old. No previous history of breast problems. She has just finished her menstual period a few days ago. She is a long time smoker. (since age 14) Is this something that is normal?
Brief Answer:
Most probably hormonal changes, better to rule out other causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for the query about your wife.
To recapitulate: Female/47 - grey-light green liquid discharge - started last night - both nipples - on pressing only -no past history of any breast problems - just finished periods a few days ago - long time smoker - not visited a Doctor - no medications ...
First of all stop worrying as this may be a small variation due to the hormonal changes one goes at the age of 47.
Please check for the following and let me know:
Is there any lump at the nipple or areola or any other part of breasts and armpits?
Any change in skin?
Any tenderness or pain?
Any other symptoms?
If there are no other symptoms this can be due to hormonal changes as the discharge is from both the nipples.
In any other conditions worth seriousness the discharge is usually from only one nipple and there would be associated symptoms like swelling, lump, pain, redness of skin, changes in skin, tenderness and probably lump in the armpit too.
I would suggest the following in such a situation:
Get a regular check up done by her Doctor.
Mammography and ultrasound and further tests if required.
Send the discharge for gram staining, culture and sensitivity.
These will help to rule out any other serious condition like infection or cancer which arises in the mind the moment something like this happens in life for the first time.
I hope this answer helps you both.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Most probably hormonal changes, better to rule out other causes.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for the query about your wife.
To recapitulate: Female/47 - grey-light green liquid discharge - started last night - both nipples - on pressing only -no past history of any breast problems - just finished periods a few days ago - long time smoker - not visited a Doctor - no medications ...
First of all stop worrying as this may be a small variation due to the hormonal changes one goes at the age of 47.
Please check for the following and let me know:
Is there any lump at the nipple or areola or any other part of breasts and armpits?
Any change in skin?
Any tenderness or pain?
Any other symptoms?
If there are no other symptoms this can be due to hormonal changes as the discharge is from both the nipples.
In any other conditions worth seriousness the discharge is usually from only one nipple and there would be associated symptoms like swelling, lump, pain, redness of skin, changes in skin, tenderness and probably lump in the armpit too.
I would suggest the following in such a situation:
Get a regular check up done by her Doctor.
Mammography and ultrasound and further tests if required.
Send the discharge for gram staining, culture and sensitivity.
These will help to rule out any other serious condition like infection or cancer which arises in the mind the moment something like this happens in life for the first time.
I hope this answer helps you both.
Please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
My wife has a hard pea-sized "lump" behind the areola and just below the nipple of the left breast, which she says is something new. Her right breast has some lumps, which she says that she has had for some time now. She just handed me a "Visit Summary" from aprevious doctor visit which states that she has:
Mastalgia in female
Fibrocystic breast disease
Galactorrhea in female
Secondary amenorrhea
I have no idea what that means and this is the first I have heard this. Can you shed some light on this? And, do these new facts add anything to your previous statement?
Mastalgia in female
Fibrocystic breast disease
Galactorrhea in female
Secondary amenorrhea
I have no idea what that means and this is the first I have heard this. Can you shed some light on this? And, do these new facts add anything to your previous statement?
Brief Answer:
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Okay.
Mastalgia in females means pain in the breast/s
Fibrocystic disease means breast have fibrotic lumps and cysts that are benign means not cancerous. These can change size an can vary from time to time depending upon the hormonal status.
Galactorrhea means milk discharge.
Secondary amenorrhea means stopping of menstruation: You have given the history that she has finished her menstrual period just a few days ago so no amenorrhea.
Has she undergone any investigations like Ultrasonography and FNAC that is fine needle aspiration cytology.
As detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Okay.
Mastalgia in females means pain in the breast/s
Fibrocystic disease means breast have fibrotic lumps and cysts that are benign means not cancerous. These can change size an can vary from time to time depending upon the hormonal status.
Galactorrhea means milk discharge.
Secondary amenorrhea means stopping of menstruation: You have given the history that she has finished her menstrual period just a few days ago so no amenorrhea.
Has she undergone any investigations like Ultrasonography and FNAC that is fine needle aspiration cytology.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Dr. T. Chandrakant,
She has not had either of those procedures. She says that the reason that she realized that she had the discharge from the nipples was due to a dried "crust" found during showering. I just got a bonk on the head for forgetting that she has just had a birthday and is now 48 years old. (I thought most women liked being younger? lol) She wants to ask you if this is linked to starting menopause?
Thank you Dr. Chandrakant. We really appreciate the help and answers.
She has not had either of those procedures. She says that the reason that she realized that she had the discharge from the nipples was due to a dried "crust" found during showering. I just got a bonk on the head for forgetting that she has just had a birthday and is now 48 years old. (I thought most women liked being younger? lol) She wants to ask you if this is linked to starting menopause?
Thank you Dr. Chandrakant. We really appreciate the help and answers.
Brief Answer:
Not really - Wishing Her a happy birthday, have great time.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation and wishing Her a very happy birthday.
Linkage with menopause is not a regular phenomenon but considering the age, this is possible.
It is better to be sure by doing the investigations as mentioned above and be stress-free
Not really - Wishing Her a happy birthday, have great time.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for your appreciation and wishing Her a very happy birthday.
Linkage with menopause is not a regular phenomenon but considering the age, this is possible.
It is better to be sure by doing the investigations as mentioned above and be stress-free
Note: Revert back with your gynae reports to get a clear medical analysis by our expert Gynecologic Oncologist. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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