What is the Cause of Discharge from One or Both Nipples?

What Causes Discharge From One Or Both Nipples?

Discharge from one or both nipples can have various causes, just like most other symptoms. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose discharge from one or both nipples, 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 "discharge from one or both nipples" as a symptom. Here are two possibilities:

Male Breast Cancer
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:

bloodstained nipple discharge

itchy/scaly nipples

breast cancer in mother

recent non-cyclical breast pain

swollen axillary nodes

extended bra wearing

breast cancer

history of breast cancer

discontinued non-human estrogen use

single-pore nipple discharge

low aerobic exercise level

almost-black nipple discharge

... 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 discharge from one or both nipples:

Cause	Probability	Status
Breast Cancer	96%	Confirm
Male Breast Cancer	71%	Possible

* 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, are one or both nipples affected?

Possible responses:

→ Don't know / I am pregnant or lactating
→ There is no discharge
→ One nipple only
→ Both nipples

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either discharge from one nipple only or discharge from both nipples, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

Breast Cancer

If the discharge is milky, and coming from both breasts, it may simply be an imbalance of prolactin hormone, which can easily be tested for through a blood test.

Male Breast Cancer

The chances of developing male breast cancer in both breasts simultaneously is extremely low.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™