Expert: Claes-Gustaf Nordquist, M.D. - 4/28/2007

Question
 Hello, first a little background, I have been on the pill Nordette for about 6 years with a 3 month break about 3 months ago. (kind of weird why I stopped, no big deal)
My hormones went crazy when I stopped, I was very emotional etc. so I started them back up!
Since I have started back up, which has been about 3 months I have had a couple things happen, one I missed two pills so had a period in the middle of a cycle and second and my main reason for typing to you is breast leaking, it started out as breast soreness and enlargement, then last night they started leaking, both of them, milky/cloudy fluid.
Just by chance I  have my yearly physical (gyn exam) on Tuesday where I will for sure bring this up, but in the meantime can you give me any possibilites?
I am almost 100% sure pregnacy isn't an issue, due to not wanting to become pregnant my husband and I use condoms as well.
Thanks for anything you can tell me.

P.S. I have not had a child recently either, I am 28. One breast leaks more than the other, but they both are leaking, they are not real sore now though.

Answer
Your symptom is not unusual. As long as there is no blood in this fluid the risk of cancer is low. However since I can not examine you and an examination is necessary in order to be SURE I do suggest that you take this up with your dr. An examination should include x-ray mammography, breast ultrasound scans and breast MRI scans - all of both breasts. Probably also galactography (x-ray mammograms with x-ray contrast in your milk ducts) of both your breasts. Exfoliative cytology (like a gynecological Pap smear) of the fluid from both breasts should also be done! If these examinations do not show anything dangerous you do not need to worry! Please do keep me posted!