What to do if nipple is sunken?

Retracted nipple is an undesirable condition that occurs in many women. Retracted nipple does not protrude, but the nipple is sunken inward. This phenomenon is called inverted nipple. The degree of nipple inversion varies from person to person. In mild cases, the nipple is relatively flat, or a little retracted. It can usually bulge out after being stimulated, or it can be squeezed out gently. In severe cases, the nipple will be completely inverted into the areola and cannot be pulled out. It will look like the shape of a crater. What should I do if the nipple is inverted? Let’s take a look at it next.

1. What is inverted nipple?

The nipple does not protrude but is sunken inward, which is called inverted nipple. The degree of nipple inversion varies from person to person. In mild cases, the nipple may only be flat or retracted to varying degrees. The nipple may bulge out or be squeezed out after stimulation. In severe cases, the nipple is completely sunken into the areola and cannot be pulled out, forming a crater shape, and is often accompanied by secretions or odor. Even if the inverted nipple is squeezed out, it is generally smaller, often without an obvious nipple neck, and appears split. The incidence of inverted nipples in women is 1% to 2%, usually bilaterally but may occur on only one side. The degree of nipple inversion may be inconsistent. Inverted nipples affect the appearance of the breasts. In addition, since inverted nipples can accumulate dirt or grease, they may cause infection or odor. More seriously, inverted nipples make it difficult for infants to suckle milk and the breastfeeding function may be lost.

2. The depth of nipple inversion varies and can be divided into three degrees

1. Partial nipple inversion, nipple neck exists, can be easily squeezed out, after squeezing out the nipple size is similar to that of normal people;

2. The second degree is that the nipple is completely sunken in the areola, but it can be squeezed out by hand. The nipple is smaller than normal and most of the time there is no nipple neck;

3. The third degree is that the nipple is completely buried under the areola and the inverted nipple cannot be squeezed out.

3. Treatment methods

1. Manual traction

Puberty is an important period for breast development and also an important period for correcting inverted nipples. Regularly pulling the nipples can make them protrude, stretch and lengthen the mammary ducts, fiber cords and smooth muscles, and the nipples will naturally bulge outward gradually. But this requires a long time and gradual progress to achieve good results.

2. Suction therapy

Similar to the working principle of manual traction, the negative pressure suction device is used to pull the inverted nipple, thereby achieving the purpose of lengthening the mammary ducts and fiber cords.

3. Surgery

(1) Stent-based nipple correction surgery. So far, this method is the only surgical method that can preserve the breastfeeding function. The inverted nipple is fixed to an external stent with a steel wire. After 3 to 6 months of continuous traction, the purpose of lengthening the nipple and correcting the inverted nipple is achieved. Suitable for patients with mild, moderate and severe degrees of depression. This method does not require making an incision on the skin, does not damage the mammary ducts, can preserve the breastfeeding function, and will not affect the sensation of the nipple, and has a low recurrence rate. The disadvantage is that the treatment time is long and may cause inconvenience in life.

(2) Incisional nipple correction surgery can be used for women who have given birth and do not plan to breastfeed in the future, or for patients with recurrent local inflammation and severe inverted nipple deformity caused by scar traction. During the operation, the mammary ducts are completely cut off, the inverted nipple is fully loosened, and a tissue flap is designed to fill the tissue defect at the root of the nipple to strengthen the support for the nipple.

The inverted nipple correction surgery can be completed in one stage and the treatment time is short. However, the incision method requires the severance or partial severance of the mammary ducts, which will affect the postoperative breastfeeding function; if the scar deep on the nipple contracts, it will cause the recurrence of inverted nipple.