If you are 100 per cent sure that you are not pregnant, there are a few other possibilities as to what can cause either milk or discharge coming from the nipples.
If you have breastfed recently, it is worth bearing in the mind that it is possible to produce milk for up to two years after you have stopped breast feeding your child. The fluctuation of hormone levels or an imbalance of hormones can also lead to leaking nipples, particularly for pubescent or menopausal women. For some women, stimulation of the nipples can result in milk or discharge and another condition that can produce a milky or clear discharge is galactorrhoea, where an imbalance of hormones within the body can stimulate secretion.
There are some drugs which can lead to nipple discharge and some of the common ones include the oral contraceptive, Antihypertensives, including betablockers, methyldopa and verapamil. The traditional phenothiazine antipsychotics and haloperidol, illegal drugs such a marijuana, antidepressants and also some natural remedies.
In most cases, the leaking of milk or discharge will subside after a few days but it is worth seeing your doctor to find out if there is an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.
There are some drugs which can lead to nipple discharge and some of the common ones include the oral contraceptive, Antihypertensives, including betablockers, methyldopa and verapamil. The traditional phenothiazine antipsychotics and haloperidol, illegal drugs such a marijuana, antidepressants and also some natural remedies.
It is unlikely to be anything serious but it is strongly recommended that you see you doctor as it could be something like Mammary duct ectasia which can cause nipple secretions which may be milky or discoloured in appearance.
The discharge can be bilateral and from multiple ducts. Duct papilloma typically causes serious or bloodstained discharge from a single duct. Underlying malignancy is rare but needs excluding or if the discharge is persistent through a fistula, there could be an abscess. You should also see you doctor so that serious diseases such as breast cancer or, in some rare cases, lung cancer, can be ruled out.
In most cases, the leaking of milk or discharge will subside after a few days but it is worth seeing your doctor to find out if there is an underlying medical condition that needs to be treated.
