What are the causes of inverted nipples?

Breasts are one of the most prominent female sexual organs, and they can also have a positive impact on the image of women, making them more attractive. The most important part of the breast is the nipple, which is responsible for secreting milk, etc. The nipple generally protrudes outward, but some women have inverted nipples, which is called inverted nipples. Let’s take a look at the causes of inverted nipples. I hope all women can understand this.

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, causing infection or odor, what is more serious is that inverted nipples make it difficult for babies to suck milk and lose the breastfeeding function.

Causes of inverted nipples

The occurrence of inverted nipple is generally caused by congenital development, shortening of mammary ducts, fibrosis and contracture of some tissues, and hypoplasia of nipple smooth muscle. Among them, mammary duct shortening and tissue fibrosis and contracture are the main causes of nipple inversion.

Secondary nipple inversion (acquired nipple inversion) is caused by the nipple being pulled by pathological tissue in the breast or compressed by a bra or breast binder. It is often seen in diseases such as inflammation and tumors, which invade the ducts, ligaments, fascia of the breast and cause the invaded ducts, ligaments, and fascia to contract. Unreasonable breast binding or wearing too tight bras occurs in adolescence. Due to tight breasts and poor blood circulation, it causes breast hypoplasia and inverted nipples.