Table of contents:
- Causes of bleeding nipples
- 1. Breastfeeding
- 2. Mastitis
- 3. Intraductal papilloma
- 4. Other causes of bleeding nipples
- Are bleeding nipples part of the symptoms of breast cancer?
Bleeding nipples are a common condition experienced by women, especially breastfeeding mothers. So what if you don't breastfeed but your nipples are bleeding? To deal with this, first identify what can cause bleeding nipples.
Causes of bleeding nipples
When you find out that there is blood coming out of your nipples, of course it can make you worry and even panic. In fact, some women immediately fear that this is a sign of breast cancer.
In fact, bleeding nipples do not necessarily indicate breast cancer. Therefore, learning what causes this condition to occur is the right step to determine how you should behave next.
1. Breastfeeding
Are you a mother who is breastfeeding? If so, chances are that the answer to your anxiety has been because you are breastfeeding.
If you are a mother who has just given birth, the first few days when your breasts just release milk, your nipples may feel more sore and cracked. This condition can make your nipples blister and experience sores, resulting in bleeding around the nipple.
However, the breastfeeding process should not cause pain and bleeding. If these problems occur frequently, it is likely that your child is not breastfeeding properly and is causing some quite painful symptoms, such as:
- The nipples appear flat and white after breastfeeding
- Feeling pain during the breastfeeding process
- Your baby is still hungry even after breastfeeding
- The lower part of the nipple is not properly covered by the baby's mouth.
2. Mastitis
The cause of bleeding nipples on this one is also related to the breastfeeding process that you are doing. Mastitis is an infection of one or both breasts that can be caused by bacteria in the mouth of the baby. This condition can cause you to feel pain during the breastfeeding process.
One of the symptoms of mastitis is blistered nipples which can cause bleeding. From the blistered nipple, bacteria enter and cause this infection to occur.
If you experience some of the symptoms below, please check with your doctor for proper treatment.
- Breast pain
- Swollen breasts
- Fever
- Feeling pain and burning while breastfeeding
- Breasts look red
3. Intraductal papilloma
Intraductal papilloma is a condition when there is a benign tumor in your breast. This tumor is one of the reasons why your nipples bleed even though you are not breastfeeding.
The tissue that grows in your breast ducts is small, looks like warts, and is usually located on the back or side of your nipple. Because of this, your nipples can bleed and have clear fluids.
If you feel that your breasts are sore and your nipples are bleeding and blood, consult your doctor to determine the cause. It is intended to get treatment earlier if there is a tumor in your breast.
4. Other causes of bleeding nipples
Apart from various conditions that directly affect your breasts, there are several causes that can make your nipples bleed, such as:
- Use of birth control pills
- Trauma or injury to the breast
- Use of certain drugs
- Menstrual cycle changes
- Excessive breast stimulation
Are bleeding nipples part of the symptoms of breast cancer?
Many people think that bleeding nipples are a sign they have breast cancer. In fact, only 3-9% of women diagnosed with breast cancer experience this symptom.
To be sure, you can do mammography. Mammography is a test that aims to detect problems with your breasts, including breast cancer.
In general, bleeding nipples often occur in mothers who are breastfeeding. However, if this happens when you are not breastfeeding, consult a doctor immediately to get more definite answers and appropriate treatment.
Photo Source: Medical News Today
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