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Preparing for your appointment
By Mayo Clinic staffYou're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred immediately to a breast health specialist.
What you can do
The initial evaluation focuses on your medical history. You'll give details about your symptoms and any other relevant health concerns. To prepare for this discussion:
- Take note of all your symptoms, even if they seem unrelated to the reason for which you scheduled the appointment.
- Review key personal information, including major stresses or recent life changes.
- Make a list of all medications, vitamins and supplements that you regularly take.
- Write down questions to ask your doctor. List your questions from most important to least important in case time runs out.
What to expect from your doctor
Your doctor may ask you questions about:
- The color and nature of the nipple discharge
- Whether nipple discharge occurs in one or both breasts
- If you have any other breast signs and symptoms, such as a breast lump or area of thickening
- If you experience breast pain
- How often you perform breast self-exams and if you have noted any new breast changes
- Whether you're pregnant or breast-feeding
- Whether you're still having regular menstrual periods
- If you're having trouble getting pregnant
- What medications you're taking
- Whether you're experiencing headaches or vision problems
What you can do in the meantime
Until your appointment, follow these tips to deal with unwanted nipple discharge:
- Avoid breast stimulation to reduce your chances of nipple discharge. For instance, don't touch your nipples during sexual activity. In addition, avoid clothing that causes too much friction on your nipples.
- Use breast pads to absorb nipple discharge and prevent it from seeping through your clothing.
- Lobo RA. Hyperprolactinemia, galactorrhea, and pituitary adenomas: Etiology,
- differential diagnosis, natural history, management. In: Katz VL, et al., eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202383887-3/1002403495/1524/257.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-02951-3..50042-X_1261. Accessed May 24, 2010.
- Ferri FF. Galactorrhea. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2010. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202383887-3/1002403495/2088/252.html#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05609-0..00016-2--sc0010_5179. Accessed May 24, 2010.
- Snyder PJ. Causes of hyperprolactinemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 24, 2010.
- Mancini T, et al. Hyperprolactinemia and Prolactinomas. Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America. 2008;37:67.
- Snyder PJ. Clinical manifestations and diagnosis of hyperprolactinemia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 24, 2010.
- Snyder PJ. Treatment of hyperprolactinemia due to lactotroph adenoma and other causes. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 24, 2010.
- Iglehart JD. Diseases of the breast. In: Townsend CM, et al. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202388075-8/0/1565/325.html?tocnode=54737836&fromURL=325.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3675-3..X5001-1--section7_1642. Accessed May 24, 2010.
- Pruthi S (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 3, 2010.
- Nippoldt TB (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. June 8, 2010.
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