Preparing for an appointment

You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or gynecologist. However, you may be referred to a breast health specialist instead.

What you can do

To prepare for your appointment:

• 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 take.
• Write down questions to ask, noting which are most important to you to have answered.

For galactorrhea, possible questions to ask your doctor include:

• What's likely causing my symptoms?
• Are there any other possible causes?
• What kind of tests might I need?
• What treatment approach do you recommend for me?
• Is there a generic equivalent for the medicine you're prescribing me?
• Are there any at-home remedies I might try?

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor may ask you questions, such as:

• What color is your nipple discharge?
• Does nipple discharge occur in one or both breasts?
• Do you have other breast signs or symptoms, such as a lump or area of thickening?
• Do you have breast pain?
• How often do you perform breast self-exams?
• Have you noticed any breast changes?
• Are you pregnant or breast-feeding?
• Do you still have regular menstrual periods?
• Are you having trouble getting pregnant?
• What medications do you take?
• Do you have 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 or stop nipple discharge. For instance, avoid stimulating the nipples during sexual activity. Don't wear clothing that causes a lot of friction on your nipples.
• Use breast pads to absorb nipple discharge and prevent it from seeping through your clothing.