What's Abreast

Updated on March 13, 2009
G.L. asks from Fort Worth, TX
17 answers

I have had an issue with one of my breat leaking when pressure is applied. This has been going on for as long as I can remember. I am 47 years old and can not get pregnant. It seems like lately it is doing it a little more often. I had a mammo in January and everything is fine. Has this happened to anyone else? Does anyone have any suggestions on how to make it stop leaking?

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C.L.

answers from Dallas on

Yes, I imagine it is an elevated prolactin level, which can come from medications you use etc... Good luck.

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B.F.

answers from Dallas on

Certain medications can make you lactate or medical conditions. Either way you need to see a doctor that will listen and do somcthing about it.

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K.B.

answers from Dallas on

I don't want to scare you but you really need to get this checked out. Mammograms do not show everything! I had nipple leakage and after several tests later it ended up being ductal carcinoma(cancer in the milk ducts) I ended up having bilateral mastectomy. I was only 35yrs old and did not have breast cancer in my family. You need to get scheduled with a breast surgeon immediately. I'm not saying this is what you have but nipple leakage is not normal. Good Luck!

1 mom found this helpful
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A.P.

answers from Dallas on

Go see a Gynecologist or a very good family practitioner/internist - a mammogram does not rule out problems in this case - you need bloodwork and perhaps further testing done. I'm being completely serious.

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H.B.

answers from San Antonio on

I agree with the previous posters about an elevated prolactin level. I have the same thing. Have bloodwork done and check the prolactin. I had an MRI which showed a benign pituitary tumor (prolactinoma). Since your prolactin level is too high, you are not ovulating hence not being able to get pregnant. I do not have regular periods either. I actually didn't have a period for 5 years. I took a prescription med that that lowered my prolactin and allowed my body to ovulate. I now have a 2 year old son, so I know the med works. :) Your body "thinks" you are breast feeding, so you are not ovulating.

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C.H.

answers from Dallas on

Get a second opinion asap

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L.W.

answers from Dallas on

This happened to me, too. I had a mammo with sono, I had my levels checked...everything was fine. The Radiologist said that it is actually quite common and that many times it is related to an ill fitting bra.

I went and got fitted by a certified fitter and bought new bras and the problem went away. My bras did not fit correctly and they were stimulating my milk production, even though I stopped breast feeding nearly 6 years ago.

Yes, this can be quite scary. If you have ruled out medical causes then I would get fitted and see if it makes the difference.

Good luck!

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R.H.

answers from Dallas on

One of mine had done that for a few years before I got pregnant. I noticed it after a Bikram Yoga class-the 90 minute Yoga in a hot 104 degree room that is as challenging as an extreme sport. Then it would happen whenever pressure was applied to "squeeze" it out.
What I was told was that it was okay as long as it was odorless.

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M.B.

answers from Dallas on

Ditto the prolactin and they really should check all your other hormones at the same time, in particular thyroid (and as I preach in other responses, they can NOT rule out a thyroid issue by just looking at TSH - TSH is a pituitary hormone). They must measure Free T3, Free T4, TPO and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies, along with TSH to get the whole picture. If you have antibodies, then the other tests are not very meaningful until you are on replacement thyroid hormone. You need the replacement thyroid hormone when you have antibodies to somewhat suppress your thyroid function, since your body is destroying it and you want to even out your thyroid hormone levels. The prolactin can be a sign of thyroid problems per this article:
http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/prol...

That article also mentions some of the other hormones that should be tested, including testosterone, which women do need to have certain levels of.

You may have to be assertive with your doctor to get the right testing done. IF they won't do it, find another doctor. Few doctors understand the body as a whole and they are trained to treat organs in isolation.

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S.M.

answers from Dallas on

The exact same thing happened to me. Definitely go to the doctor and have them check your prolactin levels. It turns out that I have a prolactin producing pituitary tumor. Don't worry, this is a non-cancerous tumor and is usually just treated with medication. I would definitely get in to see your doctor immediately. Good Luck.

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J.J.

answers from Dallas on

You need your prolactin levels checked and the fluid cultured!! Discharge from the nipple at your age and not pregnant or lactating could be indicitave of something - NOT a good sign. Please get it checked!

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A.J.

answers from Dallas on

That does not seem normal, I would go to a breast specialist and not take a regular mamo's word for it... you might need a more indepth test done and should have your hormones checked as well.

also what is it leaking? blood, milk, fluid? it should not be leaking milk if you are not breast feeding or dont have a baby...and any bloody discharge is SERIOUS...

good luck
A. J

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D.C.

answers from Dallas on

I don't want to alarm you, but I had a cyst in my nipple that did not show up on my mammogram, but did show up in an MRI. It was not cancerous and the doctor told me that if left unchecked it could cause leakage around my nipple. I would call you OB/GYN and ask for an appointment and if she feels it needed a referal to a breast doctor. Just to be sure.

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B.S.

answers from Dallas on

I don't want to scare you, but there is another kind of breast cancer that is NOT diagnosed by a mamogram. It is Inflamatory Breast Cancer. Please get your doctor to check you for this. It could be nothing, but if I were you, I would rather be safe than sorry.
God bless you,
B.

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A.F.

answers from Dallas on

There is a safe supplement for women issues that has helped many women. Let me know if you would like more information.

Best Wishes.

A.

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K.S.

answers from Dallas on

I don't know what it is officially called, but there is a name for the unexplained leaking...if there is nothing that comes back showing any problems in bloodwork, then it could be this...(I wish I remembered what my OBGYN called it!) Nothing to worry about, he said

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L.K.

answers from Dallas on

This happened to me, too. I have a pituitary tumor (benign) which causes high prolactin levels. I went on meds. to shrink the tumor and bring the prolactin levels back to normal about 8 yrs. ago. I just have to have my levels checked annually to make sure they stay in the normal range. Not a big deal at all but something you want to have checked out.

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