After menopause, your nipple area may become smaller and paler. This is perfectly normal and one of the many common changes that can affect your breasts over time. Changing hormone levels. Your hormones can have a lot to do with the darkening or lightening of your nipples and areolae.
A person's breasts will change over time due to natural events that include puberty and pregnancy. The nipples themselves do not change color, but the circular area of skin that surrounds each nipple, which is known as the areola, may change. Most of the time, color changes in the areola are benign.
Changes also occur in the nipple. The area surrounding the nipple (the areola) becomes smaller and may nearly disappear. The nipple may also turn in slightly. Lumps are common around the time of menopause.
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.
You may first notice darkening nipples during puberty. At this time, your ovaries have begun to make the hormone estrogen. This hormonal change leads to fat accumulation within your breast tissue. As your breasts grow, your nipples may become raised and the areolae may become darker in 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.
After menopause, your nipple area may become smaller and paler. This is perfectly normal and one of the many common changes that can affect your breasts over time. Changing hormone levels. Your hormones can have a lot to do with the darkening or lightening of your nipples and areolae.
Something you may not have known: Your nipples can clue you in to some serious health problems. If you notice sudden puckering or dimpling of the skin around or on your nipple—particularly if it occurs around just one nipple—call your doctor. This could be a warning sign of breast cancer.
Use coconut oil to naturally lighten the nipple and add moisture. Coconut oil is commonly used to make skin brighter and lighter, and it's safe for use on most skin types. Apply about 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of coconut oil to each nipple, and let it soak into the skin.
Treatment for Darkened Areolas and Dark Nipples
Darker areolas during pregnancy will in most cases return to their original color after childbirth, although they will most likely stay dark as long as you are breast-feeding. For some women, the darkened skin is permanent.
Pink nipples are normal, and so are other colors
Much like our eye color or skin color, nipples come in different shades of pinks to browns. Some people have naturally light pink ones, while others have them in a deep, dark brown.
Some people experience darkening nipples as a result of taking certain oral contraceptives or during menstruation. It's not common, but this could also be a sign of Paget's disease, a rare form of breast cancer.
Breast changes to look out for
a new lump, swelling, thickening or bumpy area in one breast or armpit that was not there before. a discharge of fluid from either of your nipples. any change in nipple position, such as your nipple being pulled in or pointing differently.
Genetics: Some men and women are predisposed to having a fuller breast size. This can be inherited from both the mother's and father's side of the family. Hormonal Changes: Women develop their breasts during puberty as estrogen increases.
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.
Causes of Inverted Nipples. Beginning in your mid-30s, your breasts start to change, and they keep changing as you get older. Your milk ducts shorten as you get closer to menopause. Sometimes this causes your nipple to move into your body.
A girl's breasts are typically fully developed by age 17 or 18, however in some cases they can continue to grow into her early twenties.
The breasts get bigger and rounder as the fatty tissue and milk-producing glands inside the breasts continue to grow. The areola also gets bigger and darker and the nipples may stick out. By the age of 17, a girl's breasts will usually be fully developed, although this may take a bit longer.
Some people are simply born with big areolas, while others have smaller ones. Neither is an indication of any health concern. Areolas can also change in size as you age, gain or lose weight, or experience hormonal changes during puberty, periods, pregnancy, or menopause.
"During perimenopause and menopause, there are hormonal fluctuations and eventually a drop in hormones that may cause weight gain," said Dr. Wider. "As a result, some of the weight gain can occur in the breasts, resulting in enlarged breasts."
Natural decline of estrogen
This reduced amount of estrogen causes the skin and connective tissue of the breast to become less hydrated, making it less elastic. With less elasticity, the breasts lose firmness and fullness and can develop a stretched and looser appearance.
They Get Bigger
Thanks to the triple whammy of weight gain, swelling from estrogen spiking, and inflammation (which increases in the body in your 40s), you might have a sudden need to go bra shopping.
A breast bud is like a small raised bump behind the nipple. After breast budding happens, the nipple and the circle of skin around the nipple (called the areola) get bigger and a little darker. Then the area around the nipple and areola starts to grow into a breast.
Nipples can change in size
This happens frequently during pregnancy. One 2013 study of 56 pregnant women showed that their nipples grew in both length and width during the course of the study and their pregnancy. Their areola width also increased significantly.