Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsNormal ChangesAreola and Breast CancerSelf-ExamsWhen to See a Healthcare Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Normal Changes
Areola and Breast Cancer
Self-Exams
When to See a Healthcare Provider
The areolas, the darker circular areas around the nipple, are located where the mammary gland ducts reside in women’s breasts.
Changes during puberty, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause are all normal, and irritations can occur over time. Most irritations are normal, but some symptoms may point to early breast cancer, which primarily develops in the mammary ducts.
This article outlines what breast conditions of the areolas to look out for.
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Normal Changes in the Areolas
During puberty the nipples are raised and the areolas darken, getting ready for the next stages of breast development, fully-formed breasts, during the teenage years.At this time, the breasts are developing and each month may change in texture during a typicalmenstrual cycle.
The areola also containsMontgomery glands, small, fleshy bumps that are a combination of mammary glands capable of producing milk andsebaceous glands. They aid in lubrication during breastfeeding, providing a layer of protection from the sucking mechanism of an infant. They also produce an odor during breastfeeding that helps infants find the right place to latch.
It is normal for Montgomery glands to change size due to hormonal changes, such as the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, and the postpartum stage. Swelling and irritation of Montgomery glands are most often associated with infection and abscess.
Duringmenopause, when the menstrual cycle ceases, the drop inestrogen, a naturally occurring hormone, can affect the shape and size of breasts. Some breasts will lose their elasticity, and the areolas may shrink.
Areola Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Areolas can change in color or size for many reasons, many of which are completely harmless. However, some changes are indicative ofbreast cancer. Knowing the different causes and expected changes can help you identify irregularities that might signal something more serious.
Every person has verydifferent nipplesand areolas, so do not try to compare yours to others as a sign of health or the presence of conditions. Instead, look for these signs:
Importance of Self-Exams
It’s important to also examine the areolas and nipples during your monthly self-exam. Be aware of your body’s normal appearance so that you can catch any changes or irregularities quickly. If you do find any irregularities, make an appointment to see your healthcare provider as soon as possible to undergo a medical screening.
Most lumps and bumps in the breast are completely benign.But it’s essential to get checked out to be sure.
Irregularities, pain, or discharge are symptoms that a medical professional should examine. If something seems abnormal, your healthcare provider may order tests and send you to a radiologist for amammogramorMRI, and a breast specialist. If it is breast cancer, seeking help right away will help you catch the disease early on when it’s easier to treat.
Summary
Breasts undergo many changes throughout a woman’s life, as well as at specific times each month and during each pregnancy.
Symptoms in areolas that should prompt you to see a healthcare provider include pain, nipple discharge, and other concerns, such as lumps, color changes, scaliness, or itchiness.
It’s important to know what feels and looks normal so that you can see a healthcare provider if something feels or appears unusual.
8 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mareti E, Vatopoulou A, Spyropoulou GA, et al.Breast disorders in adolescence: A review of the literature.Breast Care (Basel). 2021;16(2):149-155. doi:10.1159/000511924Biswas SK, Banerjee S, Baker GW, Kuo CY, Chowdhury I.The mammary gland: Basic structure and molecular signaling during development.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(7):3883. doi:10.3390/ijms23073883Luigi B, Carlo V, Corrado C, Orlando C.The nipple-areolar complex: anatomy, methods and pathologic findings, between senologist and dermatologist.J Ultrasound. 2022;26(1):239-247. doi:10.1007/s40477-022-00722-yNational Organization for Rare Disorders.Paget’s disease of the breast.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Benign breast conditions.Breastcancer.org.Eczema of the nipple.Malherbe F, Nel D, Molabe H, Cairncross L, Roodt L.Palpable breast lumps: An age-based approach to evaluation and diagnosis.S Afr Fam Pract. 2022;64(1):5571. doi:10.4102/safp.v64i1.5571Additional ReadingNicholson BT, Harvey JA, Cohen MA.Nipple-areolar complex: normal anatomy and benign and malignant processes.RadioGraphics. 2009;29(2):509-523.
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Mareti E, Vatopoulou A, Spyropoulou GA, et al.Breast disorders in adolescence: A review of the literature.Breast Care (Basel). 2021;16(2):149-155. doi:10.1159/000511924Biswas SK, Banerjee S, Baker GW, Kuo CY, Chowdhury I.The mammary gland: Basic structure and molecular signaling during development.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(7):3883. doi:10.3390/ijms23073883Luigi B, Carlo V, Corrado C, Orlando C.The nipple-areolar complex: anatomy, methods and pathologic findings, between senologist and dermatologist.J Ultrasound. 2022;26(1):239-247. doi:10.1007/s40477-022-00722-yNational Organization for Rare Disorders.Paget’s disease of the breast.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Benign breast conditions.Breastcancer.org.Eczema of the nipple.Malherbe F, Nel D, Molabe H, Cairncross L, Roodt L.Palpable breast lumps: An age-based approach to evaluation and diagnosis.S Afr Fam Pract. 2022;64(1):5571. doi:10.4102/safp.v64i1.5571Additional ReadingNicholson BT, Harvey JA, Cohen MA.Nipple-areolar complex: normal anatomy and benign and malignant processes.RadioGraphics. 2009;29(2):509-523.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Mareti E, Vatopoulou A, Spyropoulou GA, et al.Breast disorders in adolescence: A review of the literature.Breast Care (Basel). 2021;16(2):149-155. doi:10.1159/000511924Biswas SK, Banerjee S, Baker GW, Kuo CY, Chowdhury I.The mammary gland: Basic structure and molecular signaling during development.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(7):3883. doi:10.3390/ijms23073883Luigi B, Carlo V, Corrado C, Orlando C.The nipple-areolar complex: anatomy, methods and pathologic findings, between senologist and dermatologist.J Ultrasound. 2022;26(1):239-247. doi:10.1007/s40477-022-00722-yNational Organization for Rare Disorders.Paget’s disease of the breast.American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Benign breast conditions.Breastcancer.org.Eczema of the nipple.Malherbe F, Nel D, Molabe H, Cairncross L, Roodt L.Palpable breast lumps: An age-based approach to evaluation and diagnosis.S Afr Fam Pract. 2022;64(1):5571. doi:10.4102/safp.v64i1.5571
Mareti E, Vatopoulou A, Spyropoulou GA, et al.Breast disorders in adolescence: A review of the literature.Breast Care (Basel). 2021;16(2):149-155. doi:10.1159/000511924
Biswas SK, Banerjee S, Baker GW, Kuo CY, Chowdhury I.The mammary gland: Basic structure and molecular signaling during development.Int J Mol Sci. 2022;23(7):3883. doi:10.3390/ijms23073883
Luigi B, Carlo V, Corrado C, Orlando C.The nipple-areolar complex: anatomy, methods and pathologic findings, between senologist and dermatologist.J Ultrasound. 2022;26(1):239-247. doi:10.1007/s40477-022-00722-y
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Paget’s disease of the breast.
American Cancer Society.Inflammatory breast cancer.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.Benign breast conditions.
Breastcancer.org.Eczema of the nipple.
Malherbe F, Nel D, Molabe H, Cairncross L, Roodt L.Palpable breast lumps: An age-based approach to evaluation and diagnosis.S Afr Fam Pract. 2022;64(1):5571. doi:10.4102/safp.v64i1.5571
Nicholson BT, Harvey JA, Cohen MA.Nipple-areolar complex: normal anatomy and benign and malignant processes.RadioGraphics. 2009;29(2):509-523.
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