Nipple Discharge After Childbirth: Causes & When to Worry

Question
I am 22 and 4 months post partum from my second child.  while doing my monthly breast self exam i noticed discharge from both nipples that is about the color of breast milk.  between white and yellow. is this normal?  all discharge had stopped about 2 months ago and now started back.  i briefly breastfed and i take the birth control pill aviane 28.  thank you

Answer
If you are not breastfeeding the baby, and it is more than 4 months since the delivery, it is abnormal to have any milky discharge from your nipples. YOu must go to your doctor and get a Prolactin level. If the prolactin level is high, you will then have to have imaging studies (X-ray or MRI) of the sella turcica in your brain to assess if there are any abnormalities in your anterior pituitary gland. This is easily treated.