Nipple discharge

Nipple discharge is a common symptom of breast disease, which can be divided into physiological discharge and pathological discharge. Physiological discharge is a normal physiological phenomenon, such as lactation during pregnancy and breastfeeding, discharge caused by oral contraceptives or sedatives, and a small amount of discharge in postmenopausal women. Physiological discharge is usually clear, low in viscosity, and needs to be squeezed out by hand. Pathological discharge is caused by different diseases. Common causes include mammary duct ectasia, intraductal papilloma, infection, tumors, systemic diseases, or endocrine disorders. Pathological discharge is often bloody or mucous, often flows out spontaneously, and is often accompanied by breast lumps, swelling, local redness, nipple retraction, etc. The discharge may last for several weeks to several months.