A woman's breasts secret some fluid throughout most of the adult life. The difference between lactating (milk producing) and non-lactating breasts is mainly in the degree or amount of secretion and to a smaller degree  the chemical composition of the fluid. In non-lactating women, small plugs of tissue block the nipple ducts and keep the nipple from discharging fluid.

Nipple discharge are often yellow, green, brown, bloody,
or milky in appearance.

Nipple discharge is of concern if it is:

1. bloody or watery (serous) with a red, pink, or brown color
2. sticky and clear in color or brown to black in color (opalescent)
3. appears spontaneously without squeezing the nipple
4. persistent
5. on one side only (unilateral)
6. a fluid other than breast milk

Common Presentations