The nipples of a woman are generally protruding from the breast. They are about five to ten mm in length and become longer on stimulation or during pregnancy and when breast-feeding the baby. However some women do not have this normal type of nipple. Instead of pointing outwards, the nipples are retracted into the breast and are called inverted or invaginated nipples. They may be inverted and look like a slit or have a flat appearance. Both men and women can have inverted nipples. Some may even have one normal and the other inverted.
Some are born with inverted nipples and if it does not cause any problem except cosmetic ones, then nothing needs to be done. Sometimes, women wonder if they can breastfeed their baby if they have inverted nipples. A survey has shown that women with inverted nipples can breastfeed because the infant latches on and sucks the areola, the region around the nipples, and this can cause the nipples to become normal. In a survey of three thousand pregnant ladies it was found that about ten percent had inverted nipples but later had no problems while breast-feeding. around the nipples and try to force them out. During pregnancy or arousal the nipples may become normal. Using a breast pump during lactation may also draw them out. These pumps use
The causes of inverted nipples are not really known. However, if a normal nipple suddenly becomes inverted, then there is cause for worry, as it may be due to some disease like cancer or tumor or infection something akin to that. If a woman has inverted nipples, gently massaging them daily for a few minutes and trying to pull them out might help. Wearing nipple shields inside the bra for short durations at a time may also help. They press on the areola and the tissues suction to draw the milk. Sometimes the nipples may become normal for short periods of time, and then retract later on.
In cases where the woman feels strongly about inverted nipples, surgery can be done to make them normal. Incisions are made at the side of the nipples and they are drawn out. However, they may not be able to breastfeed their baby later on. Nipple piercing where the nipples are drawn out and pierced with jewellery to keep them drawn out is also a method of normalizing the nipples. Again this may cause problems, which interfere with breastfeeding. |
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