Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat Causes Changes?Avoid Squeezing ThemInfectionSoothing the PainSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What Causes Changes?
Avoid Squeezing Them
Infection
Soothing the Pain
Seeking Medical Care
Montgomery tubercles keep the skin around the nipples lubricated, especially whenbreastfeeding. They often get bigger in response to hormonal changes, such as during pregnancy. This is normal. They can get clogged or infected, however, which can cause breast pain and swelling.
This article will cover what you need to know about Montgomery tubercles, including when and why they change, what to do if you notice signs of infection, and when to see a healthcare provider.
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Montgomery Tubercles and Nipple Changes: What Causes Them?
Montgomery tubercles can become enlarged and appear more prominent for various reasons – both related and unrelated topregnancy. This is usually nothing to worry about. Most often, this occurs because of shifting hormone levels.
Outside of Pregnancy
You may notice your Montgomery tubercles getting bigger and sticking out more in response to:
Can Men Have Montgomery Tubercles?Both men and women have Montgomery tubercles around their nipples.However, women are significantly more likely to notice them getting bigger during pregnancy and other times when their hormones are fluctuating.
Can Men Have Montgomery Tubercles?
Both men and women have Montgomery tubercles around their nipples.However, women are significantly more likely to notice them getting bigger during pregnancy and other times when their hormones are fluctuating.
In Pregnancy
Breasts go through many changes during pregnancy. Nipples and breasts themselves tend to get bigger, while areolas become wider and darker. These changes help to prepare your breasts for nursing and typically persist during the postpartum period.
Why Not to Squeeze Montgomery Tubercles
It may be tempting to squeeze Montgomery tubercles, especially if they’re enlarged or inflamed. However, it’s important not to pick at the bumps. This could introducebacteria, which could lead to infection. It’s best to stay hands off except for washing them when you bathe or shower.
Do Montgomery Tubercles Get Clogged or Infected?
Montgomery tubercles can become clogged, infected, and/or blocked if bacteria enters the affected glands. Signs of infection may include:
Infected Montgomery tubercles are typically treated with oral and/or intravenous (IV)antibiotics. Rarely, they may need to be surgically lanced and drained.
How to Soothe Painful Montgomery Tubercles
In most cases, enlarged Montgomery tubercles will get smaller and less prominent when you’re done breastfeeding. If they’re enlarged for another reason, such as hormonal changes during your menstrual cycle, they are also most likely to resolve on their own with time.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
You should reach out to a healthcare provider about your Montgomery tubercles if you experience any symptoms of infection, such as:
In very rare cases, breast changes could be a sign ofbreast cancer. Make an appointment with a healthcare provider right away if you experience any of the following symptoms:
Removal of Montgomery TuberclesMontgomery tubercles typically don’t need to be removed even if they get clogged or infected. However, surgical removal may be necessary in severe cases of infection, such as sepsis or an abscess on the areolar gland.
Removal of Montgomery Tubercles
Montgomery tubercles typically don’t need to be removed even if they get clogged or infected. However, surgical removal may be necessary in severe cases of infection, such as sepsis or an abscess on the areolar gland.
Summary
Montgomery tubercles are tinysebaceous glandsaround the areolas that help to keep the nipples moisturized. These small lumps often get bigger during pregnancy, nursing, puberty, menopause, and menstrual periods. This is typically healthy and normal.
Sometimes, Montgomery tubercles get infected or clogged. This usually requires treatment with antibiotics. Reach out to a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of infection.
9 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.National Cancer Institute.Montgomery tubercle.Almuhanna AF, Almuhanna AF, Alzuabi RS, Alshamlan RA, Almarhoon FH.Cyst of Montgomery: An uncommon adolescent breast lump.J Family Community Med. 2020;27(2):138-141. doi:10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_288_19Shah N, Delost GR, Sharma TR, Scott JF.Unilateral nipple hyperkeratosis.JAAD Case Rep. 2019;5(8):709-712. doi:10.1016/j.jdcr.2019.06.006Alex A, Bhandary E, McGuire KP.Anatomy and physiology of the breast during pregnancy and lactation.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1252:3-7. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-41596-9_1Zucca-Matthes G, Urban C, Vallejo A.Anatomy of the nipple and breast ducts.Gland Surg. 2016;5(1):32-6. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2227-684X.2015.05.10Karaayvaz S.Clinical evaluation of breast in childhood.Eur J Breast Health. 2019;15(3):137-140. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2019.4745National Health Service.Sore nipples.MedlinePlus.Subareolar abscess.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.
9 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.National Cancer Institute.Montgomery tubercle.Almuhanna AF, Almuhanna AF, Alzuabi RS, Alshamlan RA, Almarhoon FH.Cyst of Montgomery: An uncommon adolescent breast lump.J Family Community Med. 2020;27(2):138-141. doi:10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_288_19Shah N, Delost GR, Sharma TR, Scott JF.Unilateral nipple hyperkeratosis.JAAD Case Rep. 2019;5(8):709-712. doi:10.1016/j.jdcr.2019.06.006Alex A, Bhandary E, McGuire KP.Anatomy and physiology of the breast during pregnancy and lactation.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1252:3-7. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-41596-9_1Zucca-Matthes G, Urban C, Vallejo A.Anatomy of the nipple and breast ducts.Gland Surg. 2016;5(1):32-6. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2227-684X.2015.05.10Karaayvaz S.Clinical evaluation of breast in childhood.Eur J Breast Health. 2019;15(3):137-140. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2019.4745National Health Service.Sore nipples.MedlinePlus.Subareolar abscess.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.
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.
National Cancer Institute.Montgomery tubercle.Almuhanna AF, Almuhanna AF, Alzuabi RS, Alshamlan RA, Almarhoon FH.Cyst of Montgomery: An uncommon adolescent breast lump.J Family Community Med. 2020;27(2):138-141. doi:10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_288_19Shah N, Delost GR, Sharma TR, Scott JF.Unilateral nipple hyperkeratosis.JAAD Case Rep. 2019;5(8):709-712. doi:10.1016/j.jdcr.2019.06.006Alex A, Bhandary E, McGuire KP.Anatomy and physiology of the breast during pregnancy and lactation.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1252:3-7. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-41596-9_1Zucca-Matthes G, Urban C, Vallejo A.Anatomy of the nipple and breast ducts.Gland Surg. 2016;5(1):32-6. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2227-684X.2015.05.10Karaayvaz S.Clinical evaluation of breast in childhood.Eur J Breast Health. 2019;15(3):137-140. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2019.4745National Health Service.Sore nipples.MedlinePlus.Subareolar abscess.American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.
National Cancer Institute.Montgomery tubercle.
Almuhanna AF, Almuhanna AF, Alzuabi RS, Alshamlan RA, Almarhoon FH.Cyst of Montgomery: An uncommon adolescent breast lump.J Family Community Med. 2020;27(2):138-141. doi:10.4103/jfcm.JFCM_288_19
Shah N, Delost GR, Sharma TR, Scott JF.Unilateral nipple hyperkeratosis.JAAD Case Rep. 2019;5(8):709-712. doi:10.1016/j.jdcr.2019.06.006
Alex A, Bhandary E, McGuire KP.Anatomy and physiology of the breast during pregnancy and lactation.Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1252:3-7. doi:10.1007/978-3-030-41596-9_1
Zucca-Matthes G, Urban C, Vallejo A.Anatomy of the nipple and breast ducts.Gland Surg. 2016;5(1):32-6. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2227-684X.2015.05.10
Karaayvaz S.Clinical evaluation of breast in childhood.Eur J Breast Health. 2019;15(3):137-140. doi:10.5152/ejbh.2019.4745
National Health Service.Sore nipples.
MedlinePlus.Subareolar abscess.
American Cancer Society.Breast cancer signs and symptoms.
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