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Breast discharge in pregnancy
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
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Most women experience tingling and soreness in their breasts; many report that they experience breast discharge during pregnancy.
With the onset of pregnancy, a woman's body undergoes a radical restructuring of the hormonal system, which is aimed at performing the reproductive function. The most important part of this function is lactogenesis, that is, preparation for breastfeeding. The size of the mammary glands during pregnancy increases, the pigmentation zones around the nipples (areola) expand and become more intensely colored, their sensitivity increases.
Causes of Breast Discharge During Pregnancy
The preparation of the mammary glands for lactation is controlled by hormones: prolactin, estrogen and progesterone. Progesterone (which is first produced by the corpus luteum and then by the placenta) and the estrogen hormone estriol ensure the growth of the number of alveoli, milk lobules and excretory ducts of the secretory sections in the breast of the expectant mother. And prolactin, produced by the anterior pituitary gland, is responsible for the maturation and secretion of colostrum, its conversion into milk and maintaining milk production after the birth of the child. A constant increase in the production of this hormone occurs at the end of the second month of pregnancy (from the 8th week of gestation). Around the 24th week, the content of prolactin in the blood plasma reaches its maximum level, and then the volume of discharge from the breast during pregnancy may increase.
So the reasons for breast discharge during pregnancy - in the form of a special secretion colostrum (colostrum) - pregnancy itself. By the way, the mammary glands are ready for lactation already at the beginning of the second trimester. But the action of the hormone prolactin before childbirth is restrained by the same estrogen and progesterone. After childbirth, the content of progesterone in the woman's blood drops, and then prolactin begins its "work", which stimulates milk production. It turns out that - in principle - there should be no discharge from the mammary glands during pregnancy...
However, everything is much more complicated. In addition to prolactin, a special peptide hormone, chorionic somatomammotropin, plays an important role in preparing the mammary glands for the lactation process. It is synthesized only during pregnancy by the placenta. In its structure and functions, it is similar to the growth hormone. Moreover, as researchers have established, the lactogenic activity of somatomammotropin is much higher than the activity of prolactin. And progesterone is not able to restrain the action of this hormone. Therefore, breast discharge during pregnancy is considered physiological, that is, normal. Moreover, this discharge is an obvious sign of the preparatory stage of breast milk production.
According to most obstetricians and gynecologists, the presence or absence of physiological discharge from the breast during pregnancy is not an indicator of the intensity of milk production after the birth of the child. So their absence should not cause concern.
But in case of uneven or non-uniform enlargement of the mammary gland, aching pain in the chest, enlarged lymph nodes, pain and swelling in the area of the areola of the nipple, as well as pathological (non-colostrum) discharge from the breast during pregnancy, you should immediately contact a mammologist. These signs may indicate pathological processes. Among their possible causes: trauma, ectasia (inflammation) of the ducts of the breast, papilloma of the ducts, abscess of the mammary gland or fibrocystic mastopathy.
Diagnosis of breast discharge during pregnancy
The condition of the mammary glands during pregnancy is monitored by the doctor of the antenatal clinic, who supervises the pregnant woman. And with all questions regarding discharge from the breast during pregnancy, you need to contact him.
In case of any pathology, it is necessary to consult a mammologist who conducts diagnostics of breast discharge during pregnancy. For this - after examining the mammary glands - blood and fluid secreted from the breast are tested, and an ultrasound examination (ultrasound) is prescribed.
The characteristic discharge during inflammation of the ducts (ectasia) is thick, sticky to the touch, greenish or brown in color. With a papillary polyp (papilloma) in the duct of the mammary gland, the discharge is thick with an admixture of blood, and with the accumulation of pus in the tissues of the mammary gland (that is, with an abscess), it is purulent. In addition to pain and swelling, with a bruise of the breast, transparent, slightly yellowish discharge from the nipple of the injured gland may be observed.
In fibrocystic mastopathy, pain and compaction of a separate area of glandular tissue may be accompanied by transparent yellowish discharge from the nipples. It is believed that this disease occurs due to a violation of the level of hormones, primarily sex hormones. During pregnancy and breastfeeding - under the influence of changes in the general hormonal background - fibrous compactions can significantly decrease or completely dissolve.
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Treatment of breast discharge during pregnancy
Physiologically conditioned increase of prolactin content in the body (hyperprolactinemia) is a natural condition for pregnancy. And discharge from the breasts during pregnancy does not require any treatment.
The colostrum secreted during gestation should not be expressed or squeezed out under any circumstances. It should be borne in mind that any irritation or physical impact on the mammary glands (especially on the nipple area) can cause the uterine muscles to tone and provoke a threat of termination of pregnancy...
When colostrum is secreted, you should wear a comfortable, well-supporting and non-compressive bra, and also use special sanitary pads in the bra. It is necessary to maintain hygiene of the mammary glands to prevent any infection.
During pregnancy, breast discharge is not a disease, so there is no prevention of breast discharge during pregnancy.
Forecast
The prognosis is positive: after stopping breastfeeding, clear discharge from the nipples can be observed for 2-6 months, which is not considered a pathology in obstetrics.
If a woman has any questions about breast discharge during pregnancy, it is best to ask your gynecologist. Professional advice will help dispel the future mother's doubts, improve her mood and well-being.
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