Nipple Deeper
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Nipple Deeper
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Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved
Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more .
Medically reviewed by
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Learn about our
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How many types of nipples are there?
What type of nipples are best for breastfeeding?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pam Stephan is a breast cancer survivor.
Nipple Color and Other Changes: What's Normal?
6 Signs of Breast Cancer That You Might not Have Heard Of
Nipple and Areola Reconstruction After Breast Cancer Surgery
Breast Anatomy Is Complex and Intricate
Why Some People Have a Third Nipple
Everything You Need to Know About Nipple Pain
Know Which Breast Changes Warrant a Call to Your Healthcare Provider
What's Causing My Left Breast Pain?
What Does Breast Reduction Surgery Involve?
Teenage Breast Cancer: Facts and Myths About Strange Lumps
Why Are Breasts Sore During Pregnancy?
Most of the time a pimple on the nipple is no big deal.
How Pain and Swelling May Occur in Male Breasts
What’s the Difference Between Top Surgery and a Mastectomy?
Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved
Verywell Health is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Review our Privacy Policy
Serenity Mirabito, MSN, RN, OCN, is a published oncology nurse writer who advocates for those surviving and thriving with cancer.
Chioma Ndubisi, MD, is a board-certified OB/GYN who specializes in sexual and reproductive health in New York, New York.
The nipple is a protuberance (bump) of tissue found on the breast from which milk flows during breastfeeding. Just as breasts come in all shapes and sizes, so do nipples.
Although most people have protruding nipples, approximately 10%–20% have inverted nipples. 1 Flat nipples are another possible variation.
In addition to different shapes and sizes, nipples can point forward, to the side, or downward. People can have hairy nipples and sometimes extra nipples. Understanding that these differences are normal may come as a relief since people can be self-conscious about their nipples.
This article will explain normal variations in nipple types and describe when to call your healthcare provider with concerns.
Although protruding nipples are the most common type, their exact shape can vary from person to person. One study found that the average height of a nipple is 0.9 centimeters, or one-third of an inch. 2 Protruding nipples can become more erect if exposed to the cold, stimulated by touch, or during sexual arousal.
The nipple is surrounded by a pigmented circle called the areola. Depending on a person's skin tone, it may be pink to brown in color. The areola has glands that lubricate the nipple to help with breastfeeding.
It's important to become familiar with the usual shape and size of your nipples so you can report any changes to your healthcare provider.
About 1%–5% of people have an extra nipple or nipples. This is known as supernumerary nipples . 3 These extra nipples don't cause harm or need to be removed.
Instead of protruding, inverted nipples are tucked below the skin's surface. As a result, they can appear dented or sucked in. Nipple inversion is usually a congenital condition (one you're born with).
Inverted nipples result from shortened milk ducts that pull the nipple tissue inward. 3 Nipple protrusion can occur with inverted nipples, especially when they are being stimulated. Some inverted nipples, however, will never protrude. 1 Although harmless, inverted nipples can make breastfeeding difficult.
Protruding nipples that suddenly become inverted, especially on one breast, could be a sign of breast cancer and should be evaluated by your healthcare provider.
Some women are self-conscious about how their inverted nipples look. Here are some options for reversing inverted nipples:
Flat nipples are not raised or inverted—they lay even with the areola. Some flat nipples will always remain flat, and some will become erect with cold temperatures, stimulation, or sexual arousal.
Women with flat nipples who plan to breastfeed may experience some difficulty. Mothers can try gently pulling the nipple forward and rolling it between their fingers to cause the nipple to protrude. Using a breast pump for a few seconds before breastfeeding can also help pull the nipples forward. 5
Nipples that originally protruded but begin to pull inward, change position, or fold into a narrow crease are called acquired retracted nipples. A retracted nipple, unlike an inverted nipple, will not protrude when stimulated.
Nipple retraction may result from aging, duct ectasia (when milk ducts become swollen and clogged), or breast cancer. 6 A mammogram, breast ultrasound , or breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan will help diagnose the cause of the nipple change and guide your treatment. 7
Hair follicles surround the nipples, so it's normal to have a few strands grow there. However, plucking or tweezing around your nipple can cause ingrown hairs and infected follicles. Shaving can increase the risk of ingrown hairs. Cutting the hair is a better option.
If there are more than just a few hair strands around your nipples and you notice hair growth in other areas (like your face), this is a condition known as hirsutism .
Causes of excessive hair growth include:
See your healthcare provider if you notice excessive or icreased hair growth around your nipples or other areas of your body.
Although most people have protruding nipples, they can vary in appearance. Flat and inverted nipples are variations that people are born with or that can develop due to aging. During puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, hormonal fluctuations can affect nipple appearance and sensitivity.
A few hair strands around the nipple are normal, but excessive hair growth can be caused by certain medical conditions. Notify your healthcare provider of any nipple changes, especially if they occur suddenly or on only one side.
Variations in nipple shape are common. Changes in nipple shape can signify breast cancer. Becoming familiar with how your nipples typically look and feel is important so you will notice changes right away. Doing a monthly breast self-exam is one way to do this. Nipple inversion, pain, leaking, or swelling in one breast should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately. If caught early, breast cancer is treatable, and often curable.
Many women worry that the size or shape of their nipples will make breastfeeding impossible. While flat and inverted nipples may make breastfeeding challenging, some devices and techniques help babies easily latch on to the breast. A lactation consultant can be helpful for breastfeeding mothers.
There are three common types of nipples: protruding, flat, and inverted. Each of these variations can vary in appearance from person to person.
Having protruding nipples may help the baby latch onto the breast more easily, but with the support of a lactation consultant, successful breastfeeding is possible with any type nipple.
Nagaraja Rao D, Winters R. Inverted nipple. StatPearls.
Sanuki J ichi, Fukuma E, Uchida Y. Morphologic study of nipple-areola complex in 600 breasts. Aesth Plast Surg . 2009;33(3):295-297. doi: 10.1007/s00266=088-9194-y.
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
Yukun L, Ke G, Jiaming S. Application of nipple retractor for correction of nipple inversion: A 10-year experience . Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2016. 40(5):707-15. doi:10.1007/s00266-016-0675-0
Schavelzon D, Mussi Becker M, Blugerman GA, Blugerman G. Chandler's modified technique for simple correction of inverted nipple deformities . In: Shiffman MA, ed. Nipple-Areolar Complex Reconstruction: Principles and Clinical Techniques . New York: Springer International Publishing; 2018.
Moon JY, Chang YW, Lee EH, Seo DY. Malignant invasion of the nipple-areolar complex of the breast: usefulness of breast MRI . AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2013;201(2):448-55. doi:10.2214/AJR.12.9186
McCartney CR, Marshall JC. Clinical practice. Polycystic ovary syndrome . N Engl J Med . 2016;375(1):54–64. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp1514916
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Cushing's syndrome .
By Serenity Mirabito RN, OCN
Serenity Mirabito, MSN, RN, OCN, advocates for well-being, even in the midst of illness. She believes in arming her readers with the most current and trustworthy information leading to fully informed decision making.
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Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved
Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more .
Medically reviewed by
Doru Paul, MD
Learn about our
Medical Expert Board
What hormone causes nipple changes?
When should your nipples be fully developed?
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Pam Stephan is a breast cancer survivor.
Variations in Nipple Shapes and Sizes and When to Be Concerned
6 Signs of Breast Cancer That You Might not Have Heard Of
Nipple and Areola Reconstruction After Breast Cancer Surgery
Overview and Causes of Galactorrhea
Everything You Need to Know About Nipple Pain
What Does Breast Reduction Surgery Involve?
Teenage Breast Cancer: Facts and Myths About Strange Lumps
What is the Connection Between Areolas and Breast Cancer?
What's Causing My Left Breast Pain?
Know Which Breast Changes Warrant a Call to Your Healthcare Provider
Why Are Breasts Sore During Pregnancy?
Breast Anatomy Is Complex and Intricate
How Pain and Swelling May Occur in Male Breasts
What’s the Difference Between Top Surgery and a Mastectomy?
Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Our website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Ⓒ 2022 Dotdash Media, Inc. — All rights reserved
Verywell Health is part of the Dotdash Meredith publishing family.
We've updated our Privacy Policy, which will go in to effect on September 1, 2022. Review our Privacy Policy
Serenity Mirabito, MSN, RN, OCN, is a published oncology nurse writer who advocates for those surviving and thriving with cancer.
Doru Paul, MD, is triple board-certified in medical oncology, hematology, and internal medicine. He is an associate professor of clinical medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College and attending physician in the Department of Hematology and Oncology at the New York Presbyterian Weill Cornell Medical Center.
Nipples color can temporarily change due to things like normal hormonal shifts, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. The same goes for nipple size and texture.
Permanent changes of the nipple can also occur and are often seen with breast surgeries, weight loss, and aging.
While these are usually no cause for concern, there are some nipple color and other changes that can indicate an underlying condition that needs evaluating.
This article discusses the normal and abnormal variations of nipple color, size, and more. Changes in the areola—the dark skin around the nipple—are also discussed.
While suggestions on when you should absolutely see a healthcare provider about nipple changes, remember that anything out of the norm for you is worth bringing to your practitioners attention.
It is normal for your nipple color and areola color to be a little 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 change color because of:
Nipple color will return closer to normal as hormones normalize and after pregnancy.
See a healthcare provider about nipple changes immediately if:
Nipples and areolas vary in size. The areola is usually between 3 centimeters and 6 centimeters (1.2 inches to 2.4 inches) across. 1
It's normal for nipples and areolas to change in size during: 2
See a healthcare provider about nipple size changes if:
The skin texture of the nipple is normally smooth, whereas the areola can be bumpy and pimple-like.
Montgomery glands, which are responsible for lubricating 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 like inflammatory breast cancer or Paget's disease of the nipple are also possibilities.
Your nipples normally become erect when touched or exposed to the cold. The areolas may become more firm 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.
See a healthcare provider about nipple size changes if:
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. 4
See a healthcare provider about areola hair if:
Although nipple discharge is uncommon, it's not always abnormal. It can be caused by hormonal changes or pregnancy.
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.
During pregnancy, a milky discharge is normal as the breasts are preparing to produce milk. 5 Sometimes, certain stages of the menstrual cycle can cause discharge.
Other causes of nipple discharge include:
See a healthcare provider about nipple discharge if: 5
Though there are other possibilities, these are all signs that the nipple discharge is more likely to be related to breast cancer .
Some nipple pain is normal or 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. 8
A 2018 study estimated that 80% to 90% of people who breastfeed experience sore nipples at some point. 8
Several benign and treatable conditions associated with nipple pain include:
Raynaud's phenomenon 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. 10
See a healthcare provider about nipple pain if you have: 11
Nipple variations are usually something people are born with. 12 They include inverted nipples, also called retracted nipples. Inverted nipples look sunken or indented. They can also occur as part of the normal aging process , typically on both sides.
See a healthcare provider about inverted nipples if:
In some cases, this can be a sign of breast cancer. 13
Nipples and areolas vary in size, shape, color, and texture. Becoming familiar with how your nipples and areolas look is important. Sudden changes in their appearance should be reported to your healthcare provider immediately.
Other issues like 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.
Estrogens are responsible for nipple, areola, and breast changes.
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.
Zucca-Matthes G, Urban C, Vallejo A. Anatomy of the nipple and breast ducts . Gland Surg . 2016 Feb; 5(1): 32–36. doi:10.3978/j.issn.2227-684X.2015.05.10
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health. Polycystic ovary syndrome .
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Benign nipple conditions .
Suthar N, Pareek V, Nebhinani N, Suman D. Galactorrhea with antidepressants: A case series. Indian J Psychiatry . 2018;60(1):145. doI: 10.4103/psychiatry.IndianJPsychiatry_317_17
Niazi A, Rahimi VB, Soheili-Far S, et al. A systematic review on prevention and treatment of nipple pain and fissure: Are they curable ? J Pharmacopuncture . 2018;21(3):139-150. doi:10.3831/KPI.2018.21.017
Management of breast conditions and other breastfeeding difficulties . In: Infant and Young Child Feeding: Model Chapter for Textbooks for Medical Students and Allied Health Professionals. Geneva: World Health Organization; 2009
National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute. Paget disease of the breast .
Sathian B, Nagaraja SB, Banerjee I, et al. Awareness of breast cancer warning signs and screening methods among female residents of Pokhara valley, Nepal . Asian Pac J Cancer Prev . 2014;15(11):4723-6. doi:10.7314/apjcp.2014.15.11.4723
Ryerson AB, Miller J, Eheman CR. Reported breast symptoms in the National Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program . Cancer Causes Control . 2015;26(5):733–740. doi:10.1007/s10552-015-0544-1
Shaheed SU, Tait C, Kyriacou K, Linforth R, Salhab M, Sutton C. Evaluation of nipple aspirate fluid as a diagnostic tool for early detection of breast cancer . Clin Proteomics . 2018;15:3. doi:10.1186/s12014-017-9179-4
Yılmaz R, Bender Ö, Çelik Yabul F, Dursun M, Tunacı M, Acunas G. Diagnosis of nipple discharge: Value of magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography in comparison with ducto
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