The connective tissue that supports the breasts becomes less elastic, so the breasts sag. Changes also occur in the nipple. The area surrounding the nipple (the areola) becomes smaller and may nearly disappear.
Low estrogen levels can cause the mammary glands to shrink and the connective tissue in the breast to lose its elasticity. These changes may make the breasts appear soft or flattened. Breast aging is a natural process.
In addition, low estrogen may cause changes in your nipples and areolae. During menopause, you may notice that your nipples start to turn slightly inward. Your nipples and areolae may also start to shrink.
Menopause. After you go through menopause, your nipples may become paler in color. During this time, levels of estrogen are falling.
Change in Nipple Color
Common reasons for color change include general aging and/or pregnancy. However, one of the more overlooked reasons for changes in nipple color is associated with the presence of breast cancer. It's especially abnormal if it's occurring in only one nipple and not evenly on both breasts.
During breast development, trans women and others taking estrogen also notice changing nipple sensations. The nipple grows larger and more sensitive, and breast ducts appear on the nipple.
Menopause – Ageing and the menopause can cause your milk ducts to shorten, leading to inversion of the nipples. Scarring – Scarring or shortening of the milk ducts can lead to inversion. This may be a result of breastfeeding, surgery, or injury to the chest.
The breasts can enlarge after menopause due to the hormone oestrogen levels going down. When the breasts go through an " involution " process, the milk glands shut down, and the tissue is replaced with fat.
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.
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.
One effective solution is surgery on the inverted nipples. The procedure is performed under local anaesthetic and, depending on the age of the patient, it is able to preserve the lactiferous ducts to enable breast feeding in the future.
Areolas can get bigger if you gain a significant amount of weight due to the stretching of the skin. The color may also lighten. If you then lose weight, the size may not change all that much (or at all), but the color may darken somewhat.
You might notice that your nipples change as well. 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.
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.
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.
Within the first few months of hormone therapy, the tissue behind the nipple will start to develop. The area around the nipple will get more sensitive and tender, and the nipples themselves will probably feel sore, just like they do in adolescent females.
Swollen or tender breasts: High levels of estrogen in the body can make one's breast more tender and swollen especially around the nipples and front area. This happens because our breasts are sensitive to hormone changes.
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.
It appears as a red, scaly rash on the skin of the nipple and areola. The affected skin is often sore and inflamed, and it can be itchy or cause a burning sensation. The nipple can sometimes be ulcerated. The rash is often similar in appearance to other skin conditions, such as eczema or psoriasis.
During menopause, when the menstrual cycle ceases, the drop in estrogen, a naturally occurring hormone, can affect the shape and size of breasts. Some breasts will lose their elasticity, and the areolas may shrink.