Okay freaking out a bit- BLOOD

[Hideyoshi]

Okay, another lactation thread.  I've been lactating (if you can call it that.. clear liquid, consistency resembling pre-seminal fluid) since 2 months in on HRT, had doc check it out, blood tests, etc, everything checked out fine.

Yesterday.  Minor freak out.  In the shower, I noticed an oh-so-tiny streak of blood in the fluid out of one breast (KIND OF SCARED BUT RELAX).

Luckily, I had a doc appointment the same day.  Went there, explained my situation.  He said (of course) that the clear discharge is normal, but the blood is not.  It comes out of only one boob.  He checked my boobs and said he didn't feel anything out of the ordinary such as cancerous lumps, and to keep an eye on it.  He gave me a blood test and the usual other stuff.

I'm wondering if, since I entice the fluid out once every day/every other day, if I could have hurt myself in the process.  Or if I should be freaking the hell out.  Right now I'm kind of on the fence. My doctor doesn't seem super concerned.

As of the typing of this message, I can still coax a tiny amount of blood out along with the fluid out of one breast, but the other breast is normal (just fluid)

[JLT1]

There are a number of things that could cause this.  Excessive manipulation is one.  However, laboratory analysis of the discharge and a mamogram are normally recomended.

Wouldn't worry but I would get it checked.  On the other hand, I'm paranoid.

Hugs,

Jen

[Ms Grace]

Having lactated myself when coming off HRT the first time I know it can feel a bit weird. My hormones were out of whack then so it made sense. I never enticed/expressed it though, and I remember reading in another thread here that someone who was massaging and trying to express the milk from their breasts had also experienced bleeding, I never followed up if they found out how or why.

It's possible you may have bust a small blood vessel in one of the milk ducts. Perhaps? Is there a reason you're trying to express the fluid? Has the doc recommended it? I wouldn't have thought that lactation was generally a function for developing breasts so maybe give them a rest for a few days...? Definitely get them checked though, especially if it continues.

[Doctorwho?]

Right usual disclaimer. I am only a medical student and therefore what follows does NOT constitute medical advice in any way shape or form. I am merely sharing my understanding of this, which could be incomplete or incorrect.

From what I understand of this it seems quite likely that what you may have done, by milking yourself, is induced a small infection.

This is quite a common problem in breast feeding mothers of neonates. We all have pathogens on our skin and when baby is suckling away it's easy for them to get into the milk ducts where they find a high sugar high fat environment... in other words bacterial heaven.

In some cases the infection can clear itself, in others it needs some form of treatment, either antibiotic or in extreme cases surgical draining of the abscess. Either way it is relatively simple to resolve and unless it becomes chronic, and is untreated, is unlikely to do lasting damage.

Bottom line - constantly encouraging milk expression in this way may seem like novel fun, especially for someone as highly motivated to being female as most of you clearly are, but is probably not the wisest idea. In any case you have done the right thing in drawing it to your doctor's attention. Don't be afraid to go back promptly if you notice any worsening or discomfort.

[Hideyoshi]

Thank you all for your responses.

As far as why i do it... sometimes it's during sex, sometimes for the hell of it, sometimes to check if it's changed or stopped.

I've left them alone since the opening of this thread, though