When to see a doctor

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Nipple discharge is rarely a sign of breast cancer. But it might be a sign of an underlying condition that requires treatment.

If you're still having menstrual periods and your nipple discharge doesn't resolve on its own after your next menstrual cycle and occurs spontaneously, make an appointment with your health care provider to have it evaluated.

If you're past menopause and you have a spontaneous nipple discharge from a single duct in one breast only, see your provider right away for evaluation.

In the meantime, take care to avoid nipple stimulation — including frequent checks for discharge — because stimulation can result in persistent nipple discharge.

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Dec. 04, 2021

See also

  1. Amenorrhea
  2. Breast cancer
  3. Breast cancer chemoprevention
  4. Breast Cancer Education Tool
  5. Common questions about breast cancer treatment
  6. Breast cancer radiation: Can it cause dry skin?
  7. Infographic: Breast Cancer Risk
  8. Breast cancer staging
  9. Breast cancer types
  10. Infographic: Breast Reconstruction Options
  11. Dragon Boats and Breast Cancer
  12. Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)
  13. Fibrocystic breasts
  14. Galactorrhea
  15. Gene expression profiling for breast cancer: What is it?
  16. Genetic Testing for Breast Cancer
  17. Genetic testing for breast cancer: Psychological and social impact
  18. Male breast cancer
  19. Mammary duct ectasia
  20. What is breast cancer? An expert explains
  21. Paget's disease of the breast
  22. Paulas story A team approach to battling breast cancer
  23. Pink Sisters
  24. The Long Race Beating Cancer
  25. Weight Loss After Breast Cancer