The short explanation
Milky discharge from both nipples when you are not pregnant or breastfeeding is often related to hormones, particularly a hormone called prolactin. Raised prolactin can also make periods irregular and affect ovulation, so it is relevant when trying to conceive. It is worth seeing a doctor, who can check your prolactin level and a few other things with a simple blood test. Discharge from both breasts that is milky, and comes from several openings, is much less likely to be from a problem in the breast itself.
What depends on your situation
The parts of this that change from woman to woman. Uncertainty is stated, not hidden.
- Prolactin can rise with some medicines, an underactive thyroid, stress, frequent nipple stimulation, and sometimes a small benign growth in the pituitary gland. Pregnancy should also be ruled out with a test.
- Discharge that comes from one breast only, from a single opening, appears without squeezing, or is clear, bloody or brownish is looked at differently and needs an examination.
- Mention any headaches or vision changes too.
What this answer cannot determine
The boundary of online education. These need a clinician who can see you.
- This cannot tell you the cause of the discharge. Blood tests and an examination are needed to find out.
Questions for your clinician
Take these with you. You can add any of them to an appointment card.
- Should my prolactin and thyroid be checked?
- Could any medicine I take cause this?
- Could this be affecting my chances of getting pregnant?
- Do I need any imaging?
When to seek help
Clinician-approved guidance for this topic. When in doubt, being seen is never the wrong choice.
Book an appointment soon
- See a clinician within days if discharge is bloody, from one breast only, or comes with a lump.
Raise it at a routine appointment
- Book a routine visit with your gynaecologist and mention that you are trying to conceive.
Sources
The evidence this explanation is built on.
- Nipple discharge NHS
- Breast diseases MedlinePlus (NIH)
Who wrote and reviewed this
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- Author
- AskHer Editorial (AI-assisted draft) AskHer's editorial team — not an individual clinician Works in English, தமிழ், हिन्दी
- Clinical reviewer
- Nobody yet No clinician has signed this answer off, and no person on the editorial team has read it yet. That is what the “Written with AI assistance” label means. It is queued for an editor to read, and then for a clinician who works in this area. The sources it was drafted against are listed above.
- Review status
- Written with AI assistance — not yet reviewed by a person
- Last reviewed
- Not yet reviewed by a person
- Version
- 1
Correction history
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No corrections have been made since this answer was first published.
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