The inverted nipple is one breast malformation, in which the nipple is "sucked" into the areola. This anomaly may concern one breast only or both the breasts.
Inverted nipples in a milder form, so-called "reversible", can be everted (i.e. carried outwards) by stimulation (with your fingers or with the cold). The inwardly inflected nipple in a more severe form, on the other hand, always stays inside.
Inverted nipple is caused by the presence of milk ducts (the small channels that, during breastfeeding, carry milk to the nipple) too short. It is an anomaly that affects about 20 women out of a thousand and which, in most cases, has a genetic origin. Other times, however, it can be linked to some pathologies such as breast cancer, or present after breastfeeding.
Let's find out together everything you need to know on this topic, what are in detail the causes that cause the inverted nipple, how to solve the problem by means of Cosmetic Surgery with a corrective breast surgery and, finally, his relationship with breastfeeding breast.
What are the causes of an inverted nipple?
As we anticipated, the inverted nipple is in most cases of genetic origin, therefore hereditary. Women with this breast anomaly are born with gods milk ducts too short which prevent the nipple from coming out of the areola.
If, on the other hand, you are not born with an inverted nipple, but this malformation occurs in adulthood, the causes can be different, of traumatic origin. It may be due to complications that have arisen after surgery (and in this case it should be resolved with a corrective mammoplasty), in the presence of a breast cancer, mastitis (breast inflammation), a dilation of one of the ducts or a retroareolar abscess. It will obviously be the responsibility of the doctor to arrive at a diagnosis.
When is it good to worry?
If a woman is born with inverted nipples she needn't worry: this is nothing serious! If, on the other hand, the anomaly occurred at an advanced age, it is necessary to immediately take action to make sure that it cannot be a breast cancer.
Pay particular attention if the nipple is inside the areola has secretions, whether it is loss of blood or serum: in this case it is good to contact your doctor immediately. Always remember that the breast cancer prevention it is very important ... here is a video to learn how to make yourself self-examination:
Inverted nipple and cosmetic surgery: does corrective mammoplasty work?
If you are wondering if it is possible correct the anomaly of the inverted nipple, the answer is yes! If it is not a serious case, devices that act as a "correction" for the nipple are often enough: it is small suckers which create a vacuum from the outside, thus pushing the nipple out of the areola. They must be applied for several hours a day for a period of at least three months, and they are not without contraindications: in addition to not being particularly comfortable to wear under clothing, they can lead to nipple irritation.
Then there is the possibility of resorting to Cosmetic Surgery solving the problem of the introverted nipple with an intervention of corrective mammoplasty. This kind of intervention under local anesthesia allows to free the milk ducts that are too short from adhesions, and then to carry out further operations of attachment of the nipple to the outside. The costs of this intervention (which can last from half an hour to about an hour) are between one thousand and two thousand euros.
If the surgeon manages the operation well and with experience, there will be no damage for the learned, so breastfeeding will continue to be possible. Be careful though: in certain cases of greater severity it will be necessary to cut the ducts, thus losing the possibility of breastfeeding.
Inverted nipple and lactation
If you need to breastfeed your baby and you have i flat or inverted nipples you do not have to worry too much, nor think of having to resort to cosmetic surgery: it is often possible to breastfeed anyway! The child, in fact, it doesn't just attach to the nipple, but puts a larger part of the breast in the mouth.
The problem could arise in the first days of breastfeeding, when his mouth is still quite small: the baby may have difficulty latching on to the breast or in maintaining the attack so that he can swallow enough milk to feed himself.
One of the most adopted solutions are, in these cases, the nipple molders, silicone pads to be worn under the bra, which create a slight pressure on the nipples, favoring the leakage. They can be worn starting as early as the 32nd week of pregnancy, but it is always better to ask for a medical consultation first.
Then there are gods "Nipple shields", i.e. thin and flexible pieces of silicone in the shape of a nipple with a hole in the end that allows the milk to pass through from the breast to your baby's mouth, giving it a firmer attack point. However, it is a short-term solution, so it is always good consult an expert.
If none of the proposed solutions allowed you to breastfeed, it will be good to resort to another type of breastfeeding.
For more information on the subject, you can consult the Humanitas website.
