Nipple discharge

Nipple discharge is often normal

Lots of women have nipple discharge from time to time. It may just be normal for you.

It's also not unusual for babies (boys and girls) to have milky nipple discharge soon after they're born. This should stop in a few weeks.

Nipple discharge in men isn't normal.

The colour of your discharge isn't a good way of telling if it's anything serious. Normal discharge can be lots of colours.

See a GP if you have nipple discharge and any of these:

• it happens regularly and isn't just a one-off
• it only comes from 1 breast
• it's bloodstained or smelly
• you're not breastfeeding and it leaks out without any pressure on your breast
• you're over 50
• you have other symptoms – such as a lump, pain, redness or swelling in your breast
• you're a man

It's probably nothing serious. But there's a small chance it could be cancer, so it's best to get checked.

Causes of nipple discharge

Nipple discharge has many possible causes.

Common causes include:

• breastfeeding or pregnancy – see leaking nipples in pregnancy
• a blocked or enlarged milk duct
• a small, non-cancerous lump in the breast
• a breast infection (mastitis)
• a side effect of a medicine – including the contraceptive pill

Breast Cancer Care has more on common conditions that can cause nipple discharge.