The urgency of the problem of mammary gland diseases is due to the persistent growth of this pathology: benign breast diseases are diagnosed in 35-60% of women, in the presence of gynecological abnormalities their frequency increases to 75-96%. There are only four situations where transparent or white discharge from the chest is considered the norm: sexual arousal (2-3 drops under orgasm), pregnancy, breastfeeding, 2-3 days before the onset of menstruation. In all other cases, the secretion of fluid from the mammary gland is a disturbing symptom indicative of the development of the disease, so it can not be ignored.
Anatomy of the breast
The mammary gland is a paired organ, the main function of which is the allocation of milk during lactation. Each gland has 15-20 lobes, separated by connective tissue septa. The lobes consist of lobules, the latter from the alveoli. From all the lobes in the direction of the nipple go the milk ducts. Blood supply of the glands is carried out by the thoracic arteries - lateral and internal, innervation occurs through the supraclavicular nerves from the cervical plexus. The thoracic gland is a hormone dependent organ, therefore the production of a small amount of a transparent secretion is exclusively physiological in nature. Caution should be atypical discharge, not associated with the menstrual cycle and pregnancy, accompanied by painful sensations and heaviness in the chest.
Discharge from the chest - predisposing factors:
- hormonal imbalance, wearing uncomfortable underwear;
- taking antidepressants;
- sexual disorders, hereditary predisposition;
- childbirth, pregnancy;
- inflammatory processes in the biliary tract / liver;
- stressful situations, recurrent depression;
- period of menopause / menarche.
White discharge from the chest - causes
Galactorrhea. It occurs due to hormonal failures against the background of an increased level of the female sex hormone prolactin, which leads to an excess production of white fluid from the mammary glands. According to the intensity of the discharge, four degrees of the galactorrhea are determined: the first - discharge from the chest appear when pressing on the nipple, the second - single drops are spontaneously allocated, the third - independent release of medium intensity, the fourth - very abundant discharge. The causes of galactorrhea: neoplasms of the hypothalamus, pituitary tumor, ovarian / adrenal gland pathologies, hepatic / renal failure. Concomitant manifestations: acne, decreased libido, violation of the menstrual cycle.
Mastitis. Disease of the breast of an infectious genesis. The clinical picture is characterized by an increase in body temperature to 39-39.5 degrees, swelling and soreness of the mammary glands, redness of the skin, white / purulent secretions from the nipples. With the progression of the process, the disease passes into the abscessing phase, which can lead to serious complications.
Transparent discharge from the chest - causes
Ectasia of the milk ducts. Expansion of the milk ducts with their further inflammation causes the appearance of transparent discharge from the chest, tenderness in the armpits and the mammary glands. Chronization of the process worsens the condition - the segregations become sticky and thick, acquire a brown / green tint.
Fibrous-cystic mastopathy. It is a fibro-cystic pathology, which manifests itself as a whole spectrum of regressive and proliferative (inflammatory) changes in the tissue material of the breast with violation of the proportion of connective tissue and epithelial elements. The risk of developing the disease increases in the absence of birth and pregnancy, abortion, late first pregnancy, short-term / long-term breastfeeding (a year or more).
Thrush + intestinal dysbiosis. Disbacteriosis is caused by: uncontrolled antibiotics, hormonal therapy, inadequate nutrition, chronic / acute intestinal infections, decreased immune response of the body. Characteristic symptoms: stool (constipation, diarrhea), bloating, dyspeptic abnormalities (vomiting, nausea, eructation), signs of intoxication (insomnia, weakness, fast fatigue). If the intestinal dysbacteriosis occurs against the background of the yeast infection, the disease can additionally manifest itself as a transparent discharge from the breast.
Inflammation of the ovaries (oophoritis). The process affecting the ovaries and fallopian tubes. Pathogens of the disease are representatives of conditionally pathogenic microflora (E. coli, streptococci, staphylococcus, gonococci). With inflammation, the infection gradually spreads from the uterine cavity to the fallopian tubes and ovaries. Chronic oophoritis manifests itself as a violation of the menstrual cycle, aching pain in the lower abdomen / in the groin, meager regular transparent / white discharge from the chest and vagina.
Injury of the mammary gland. Traumatic closed / open damage to the tissues of the breast with the formation of a hematoma. Can be accompanied by broken ribs, bruised chest. The woman is concerned about swelling and pain in the chest, in case of damage to the milk ducts - transparent discharge with the injection of blood.
Admission of hormonal drugs. The development of the mammary glands, changes in their functions in the sexually mature age, during pregnancy occurs under the influence of hormones, any fluctuations in the balance of which provoke dysplastic deformations of the tissue of the mammary glands. Against the background of a long reception of oral contraceptives, the level of estrogen and prolactin content can sharply increase, which leads to the appearance of transparent discharge from the chest.
Discharge from the mammary glands - what can not be done:
- use heat. The use of hot baths or heated compresses can aggravate inflammation and significantly worsen the general condition;
- to be treated with the help of folk remedies;
- stimulate / squeeze the secretions;
- take hormones. It is only the physician who can prescribe hormonal drugs to exclude cyclic jumps in the levels of sex hormones and ovulation blockade, provided that it is advisable to include these drugs in the therapeutic regimen.
Discharge from the chest - diagnosis and treatment
Any unaccustomed discharge from the mammary glands is an occasion for consultation with a mammologist. Diagnosis of the pathological conditions of the breast is based on their examination, palpation, ultrasound, mammography, puncture of problem areas, cytological examination. Breast examination is performed in the first phase of the cycle (2-3 days after the end of menstruation), because the risk of diagnostic errors increases in the second phase because of the overload of the glands.
Diagnostic measures:
- inspection / palpation. An assessment of the appearance of the mammary glands is performed (absence / presence of asymmetry, position of the nipples, coloration of the skin). Palpation is performed in a standing and lying position on the back, palpable at the same time supraclavicular, subclavian and axillary lymph nodes;
- Ultrasound. Harmless and informative research method, allowing to detect neoplasms of mammary glands (cysts, tumors);
- mammography. Radiography of the mammary glands, which is performed in two projections. The method is highly reliable (up to 95% with oncology, up to 97% with mastopathy). Contraindications: pregnancy, lactation, age under 35 years.
Treatment is carried out taking into account the patient's age, the form of the disease, the nature of menstrual irregularities, the interest in contraception / preservation of the reproductive function, the absence / presence of concomitant gynecological and endocrine pathologies. Conservative methods: hormone therapy, vitamin therapy, phytotherapy, physiotherapy.
White or transparent discharge from the chest is a potentially dangerous symptom requiring careful examination and treatment. The mammary glands are an integral part of the reproductive system, so their condition should be treated carefully - this will help to preserve women's health for a long time and significantly improve the quality of life.