What Causes Nipple Discharge?

Nipple discharge can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'needs attention' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose nipple discharge, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "nipple discharge" as a symptom. Here are three possibilities:

Pregnancy Issues
Breast Cancer
Male Breast Cancer

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

multiple swollen axillary nodes

history of birth control pill use

breast cancer in mother

being pregnant again

extended bra wearing

current birth control pill use

single-pore nipple discharge

low aerobic exercise level

recent oily hair

high alcohol consumption

history of breast cancer

long-term low-carb dieting

... and more than 10 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of nipple discharge:

Cause	Probability	Status
Breast Cancer	92%	Confirm
Male Breast Cancer	23%	Unlikely
Pregnancy Issues	3%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate having nipple problems, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

If you have any unusual discharge from your nipples, what color is it?

Possible responses:

→ Don't know / I am pregnant or lactating
→ There is no discharge
→ White or almost white
→ Yellow-green
→ Almost black

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate no nipple discharge, whitish nipple discharge, yellow-green nipple discharge or almost-black nipple discharge, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Breast Cancer

Nipple discharge is usually harmless, and should not signify anything seriously wrong. Most women can squeeze some discharge out of their nipples, especially if they have had children in the past.

Male Breast Cancer

Nipple discharge, either bloody or serous, is distinctly abnormal in men and must always be taken seriously. Although it may very well turn out to be nothing, it should always be followed up with mammography and biopsy if any mammographic abnormality is found.

Pregnancy-Related Issues

Some women have nipple discharge very early in pregnancy.

Nipple Discharge Color