Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsColorSizeTextureBumpsHair GrowthDischargePainInverted Nipples
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Color
Size
Texture
Bumps
Hair Growth
Discharge
Pain
Inverted Nipples
Nipple color changes are most commonly the result of normal hormonal shifts, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. The same goes for temporary nipple size and texture variations. Permanent nipple changes are often seen with aging and after breast surgeries and weight loss.
While usually no cause for concern, some nipple changes can indicate an underlying condition that needs evaluation.
Remember that anything out of the ordinary for your body is worth consulting a healthcare provider about.
Nipple Color
It is normal for your nipple andareolacolors to be slightly different. The areola is often darker than the nipple itself. Depending on your skin tone, the color can range from pale pink to dark brown.
Your nipples/areolas can become lighter or darker in response to:
Nipple color will return closer to normal as hormones normalize and after pregnancy.
See a healthcare provider about nipple changes immediately if:
Nipple Size
Nipples and areolas vary in size. The areola is usually between 3 and 6 centimeters (1.2 inches to 2.4 inches) across.
It’s normal for nipples and areolas to change in size during:
See a healthcare provider about nipple size changes if:
In general, breasts begin to develop between the ages of 8 and 13. Typically, female breasts are fully developed between 17 and 18 years old. However, they can continue to grow into the early 20s.
Nipple Texture
The skin texture of the nipple is usually smooth, whereas the areola can be bumpy and pimple-like.
Montgomery glands, which lubricate the nipple and areola during lactation, are the raised areas on the areola. They may look like bumpy, white dots.Eczema, a treatable skin rash, can change the texture of the areola.
See a healthcare provider about nipple texture if you notice:
While a skin condition may be at play, serious conditions likeinflammatory breast cancerorPaget’s disease of the nippleare also possibilities.
Bumps on the Nipples
When touched or exposed to the cold, your nipples normally become erect, and the areolas may become firmer as well.
During pregnancy, Montgomery glands enlarge in preparation for breastfeeding. As a result, they can become clogged, resulting in an infection. Clogged Montgomery glands can be treated with antibiotics and home remedies.
Areola Hair
It’s normal to have a few hairs on your areolas. More hair than that can be a sign of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
PCOS is a hormonal imbalance (when there are more androgen hormones than typical) that can cause infertility.
See a healthcare provider about areola hair if:
Nipple Discharge
Nipple discharge is typically released from the milk ducts and may be:
The consistency can vary from thick and viscous to thin and watery. If benign (not harmful), the discharge usually comes from both breasts. The fluid may leak spontaneously or only when the breasts are squeezed or stimulated.
A milky discharge is expected during pregnancy as the breasts prepare to produce milk.Sometimes, certain stages of the menstrual cycle can causedischarge.
Other causes of nipple discharge include:
See a healthcare provider about nipple discharge if:
Though there are other possibilities, these are all signs that the nipple discharge is more likely to be related tobreast cancer.
Nipple Pain
Somenipple painis normal/expected. For example, it’s common for your breasts and nipples to be sore just before menstruation. In addition, breastfeeding can cause raw, cracked, and bleeding nipples.
Researchers estimate that 80% to 90% of people who breastfeed experience sore nipples at some point.
Several benign and treatable conditions associated with nipple pain include:
Raynaud’sphenomenon can cause nipple vasoconstriction, resulting in episodes of pain, burning, and/or tingling.This can occur with:
In rare cases, nipple pain is a symptom of breast cancer, particularly Paget’s disease of the nipple.
See a healthcare provider about nipple pain if you have:
Nipple variations are usually something people are born with.They include inverted nipples, also called retracted nipples, which look sunken or indented. Inverted nipples can also occur as part of the normalaging process, typically on both sides.
See a healthcare provider about inverted nipples if:
In some cases, this can be a sign of breast cancer.
Summary
Nipples and areolas vary in size, shape, color, and texture. It is important to become familiar with how your nipples and areolas look. Sudden changes in their appearance should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately.
Other issues, such as excessive hair growth, leaking nipples, sudden retraction, or inversion of the nipples, also need to be evaluated. Although these changes may be normal depending on hormonal changes, pregnancy, or aging, they could also be signs of serious conditions or illnesses.
13 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.
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