Inverted nipple: what are the causes and how to manage breastfeeding
Inverted nipple is a malformation of the breast, in which the nipple is "sucked" into the areola. This anomaly can involve only one breast or both breasts.
Inverted nipples in a milder form, so-called "reversible", can be everted (ie carried outwards) by stimulation (with the fingers or with the cold). indoor.
The inverted nipple is caused by the presence of milk ducts (the small channels that, during breastfeeding, carry milk to the nipple) that are too short. This is an anomaly that affects about 20 women out of a thousand and which, in most cases of cases, it has a "genetic origin. Other times, however, it can be linked to some pathologies such as breast cancer, or occur after" breastfeeding.
Let's find out together everything there is to know about 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 mammoplasty and, finally, its relationship with the "breastfeeding.
What are the causes of an inverted nipple?
As we have anticipated, the inverted nipple is in most cases of genetic origin, therefore hereditary. Women with this breast anomaly are born with too short milk ducts that 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 arose after surgery (and in this case should be resolved with corrective mammoplasty), the presence of breast cancer, mastitis (inflammation of the breast), dilation of one of the ducts or to 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: it's nothing serious! If, on the other hand, the anomaly occurred in old age, it is necessary to immediately take action to ensure that it cannot be breast cancer.
Pay particular attention if the nipple inside the areola has secretions, whether it is blood loss or serum: in this case it is advisable to contact your doctor immediately. Always remember that breast cancer prevention is very important ... here is a video to learn how to do the self-examination:
Inverted nipple and cosmetic surgery: does corrective breast surgery work?
If you are wondering if it is possible to 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: these are small suckers that 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.
There is also the possibility of resorting to cosmetic surgery by solving the problem of the introverted nipple with a 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 fixing the nipple to the outside. The costs of this intervention (which can last from half an hour to about an hour) they are between one thousand and two thousand euros.
If the surgeon manages the operation well and with experience, there will be no damage to the ducts, so breastfeeding will continue to be possible. But be careful: 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 have to breastfeed your baby and you have flat or inverted nipples, you don't have to worry too much or think about having to resort to cosmetic surgery: breastfeeding is often possible anyway! The baby, in fact, not only latches on to the nipple, but puts a larger part of the breast into his 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 maintaining the latch so that he can swallow enough milk to feed himself.
One of the most adopted solutions are, in these cases, the nipple molders, silicone discs to be worn under the bra, which create a slight pressure on the nipples, favoring the release. They can be worn as early as the 32nd week of pregnancy, but it is always better to ask for a medical consultation first.
There are also "nipple shields", which are thin and flexible pieces of silicone in the shape of a nipple with a hole on the end that allows the milk to pass from the breast to the mouth of your baby, giving it a more solid point of attachment. However, this is a short-term solution, so it is always good to 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.
