Most women have protruded nipples, which vary in color and size. Some women even have flat and inverted nipples which are normal. Due to the hormonal change during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause, there may be nipple appearance and sensitivity changes.
If you are born with flat or inverted nipples, they are not abnormal but are simply variations influenced by genetics. The same applies if your nipples change with age due to the loss of collagen and change in hormones.
You can do a “pinch test” by gently compressing the areola just behind the nipple. If your nipple remains flattened or appears to pull in, then you know you have flat or inverted nipples. Inverted nipples do not protrude from the level of the areola instead they are pulled inwards.
Just like with breasts, there's no one way that nipples are supposed to look. Both nipples and areolas (the circular skin around your nipple) come in different sizes and colors, from light pink to brownish black. The color of your nipples usually relates to your skin color.
Flat or inverted nipples may make it difficult for your baby to attach to your breast. However, it is still possible to breastfeed using nipple shields. Nipple shields are thin silicone covers that can be placed over the nipple to assist with breastfeeding.
Inverted or Flat Nipples. The size and shape of nipples and breasts vary from person to person and can change during the breastfeeding journey. It is common for nipples to gradually change shape, become more elastic and protrude more during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.
It's common for nipples to become smaller, and the area around them, called the areola, almost vanishes. Lumps. Older breasts may be more prone to lumps or bumps.
Breast development during puberty
2.1 Stage 1 This stage begins at about 8-12 years old, the nipples just begin to pop up, pink circle appears.
Back in 2017, experts on The Doctors, a daytime medical-related talk show on America's NBC, claimed the best natural lipstick is one which matches the colour of your areolas. Turns out your top lip is the same shade as your nips.
Bumpy nipples.
The areola contains numerous lubricating glands, called “Montgomery glands.” These show up as areola bumps and are completely normal.
There are hundreds of nerve endings in each nipple and while men and women have roughly the same number, women's are more spread out and are generally more sensitive to stimuli thanks to our hormones. Because of this Patt says they're easily irritated or stimulated by lots of things, clothing included.
“The nipple or areola colour can vary from person to person, but anywhere between pink to dark brown is considered normal. The colour can change due to hormonal fluctuations in the body, and also when you are pregnant. Several women feel that it goes darker when they are about to conceive.
Nipple Color
Nipples and areolas can range from pale pink to a deep brown. It's also possible for nipple and areola color to change throughout our lifetime. Hormonal fluctuations, especially during pregnancy, can cause the area to become lighter or darker.
Is it OK to sleep in my bra? There's nothing wrong with wearing a bra while you sleep if that's what you're comfortable with. Sleeping in a bra will not make a girl's breasts perkier or prevent them from getting saggy. And it will not stop breasts from growing or cause breast cancer.
Estrogen controls the growth of the ducts, which is why the areolas and nipples tend to get firmer and the ducts more prominent during the middle stages of the menstrual cycle (when estrogen levels are at their highest).
Sometimes, at least one of the nipples is inverted, rather than protruding. This is completely normal and doesn't affect a person's health in any way. This kind of nipple can be an innate feature or the result of breast development.
Stimulating, caressing or simply holding breasts sends nerve signals to the brain, which trigger the release of the 'cuddle hormone' called oxytocin, a neurochemical secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland in the brain.
Your nipples are very sensitive little organs! When they are stimulated either by touch, cold temperatures or sexual arousal, they harden (actually become erect) and part of that response is for the brown part (the areola) to shrink and wrinkle. It is kind of like a muscle contraction.
The most common cause of inverted nipples is being born with them, but some people may acquire inverted nipples due to aging, infection, breast injuries, or cancer. Although usually harmless, inverted nipples can lead to functional, psychological, and aesthetic consequences.
The skin on your breasts should naturally be more or less flat and smooth. Again, consistency is key. Bumps and birthmarks that are always present are not a problem. A sudden change in the skin on your breasts should be reported to a doctor.
04/5Rock hard nipples may be a sign of sexual arousal
While there are a lot of reasons why nipples get erect, sexual arousal might top the list. More often than not, the first sign of sexual arousal in women is the swelling up of the nipples up to 25 per cent.
As the excitement builds up, the number of fluid increases and the nipples of breast also become erect. This happens mainly due to the contractions in small muscle fibres of breasts that respond to sexual arousal.
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.