If the mom is seeing an Ob/Gyn  I doubt if he/she will be surprised.
         Black/green discharge may be a sign of fibrocystic breasts.
However it is my understanding that it is not uncommon in women who are
many years post lactation as well. I do not consider it related to smoking
as many non smokers can also express black/green. Many women can only
express anything in the days just before menstruation. There may also be a
relationship to frequent manipulation of the breasts by partners. I simply
do not have any experience with this in never lactated breasts.
         At one ed. session I attended several years ago the breast surgeon
asked the room to put up their hands if they experienced periodic breast
pain. Almost everyone raised their hand. She asked if anyone had been able
to express small amounts of fluid years after lactation again almost the
whole room raised their hand. ( the youngest in the group was probably in
their late 30s most were 45 plus) She considered it normal if there was no
spontaneous leaking and basically said stop trying to express :) But if
there was spontaneous leaking even if it was just occasional spots to
immediately refer.

Is there anything in the literature?? I don't know but there might be
something in the ob/gyn journals.

Rhoda

Rhoda Taylor, B.A., IBCLC
Vancouver Island, Canada

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