Montgomery glands The darker area of skin around the nipple is called the areola. On the areola there are some little raised bumps. These are quite normal and are called Montgomery glands. They produce fluid to moisturise the nipple.
You might notice small bumps around your areola, which is the colored part of your nipple. Those bumps are Montgomery tubercles — glands that release substances to lubricate your nipples and alert your baby when it's time to eat. Hormone changes during pregnancy can cause these glands to enlarge.
Montgomery glands are normal skin glands that appear as small, painless bumps on the areola, which is the area of darkened skin around the nipple. Every person has Montgomery glands, though they are more apparent in some than others. These glands secrete oil to help keep the skin lubricated.
Montgomery glands can become filled with a waxy substance. The gland then resembles a pimple with a white or yellowish head. These spots are known as Montgomery tubercles. Women do not have to be pregnant or breast-feeding for this to occur.
Even if you're not pregnant, it is still common to notice Montgomery tubercles around your nipples or surrounding areola. These are usually quite normal and nothing to worry about.
Squeezing Montgomery glands
Tubercles around the breast and nipples should not be squeezed or picked at. Although they look a bit like small pimples that could be popped, they're a normal part of your breast anatomy and should be left alone.
Answer: Montgomery glands can be removed
If there are a few particularly unsightly ones, they can usually be removed leaving only a tiny scar in the areola which is usually much less noticeable than the gland. This is a minor procedure that can be done in the office.
Bumpy nipples.
The areola contains numerous lubricating glands, called “Montgomery glands.” These show up as areola bumps and are completely normal.
During puberty: Montgomery's tubercles may appear during puberty and certain phases of your menstrual cycle, as activity in areolar glands increases with the amount of estrogen in your body.
Some general tips for treating bumps and irritation on your nipples include: Keep the skin on your breasts clean and dry. Wash your breasts daily with mild soap and warm water. Refrain from using highly fragranced detergents or lotions on the breasts.
Named after Irish obstetrician William Fetherstone Montgomery,2 the Montgomery tubercles — sebaceous glands found on the breasts, emit an aroma which attracts new-born infants to their mother's breasts and entices them to breastfeed.
Many women notice their tubercles during pregnancy. But hormonal imbalances, stress or significant weight change can also make them look more noticeable. If you're not pregnant, you can always talk to your doctor about getting your hormone levels checked. Montgomery tubercles are a normal part of most women's lives.
Montgomery glands are a healthy part of your breast anatomy. Once your baby is born, and breastfeeding has ended, those little bumps may shrink back down on their own. However, if they don't go away or you have concerns about them, you can talk to your doctor.
While it may seem odd to you, the presence of these bumps is completely normal and there is no reason to fret. According to Dr Tanaya, who goes by the name of 'Dr Cuterus' on Instagram, the bumps are present on the areola, which is the pigmented area on the breast surrounding the nipple.
Montgomery's glands are large sebaceous glands capable of secreting milk; they represent an intermediate stage between the sweat and the mammary glands.
Montgomery glands are sebaceous glands (like those on our face) that are part of the areola and enlarge during pregnancy and lactation to lubricate the nipple. On occasion, these can become blocked (most often from lubrication agents applied to pump flanges) and form a pimple-like swelling.
In rare cases, Montgomery's tubercles can become infected. You may notice redness, pain and swelling around your nipple if one of these tubercles has become blocked or inflamed.
Montgomery tubercles look like small, raised bumps on your areolas. The number of bumps varies from person to person. Some women don't have any, while others have more than 20. Sometimes they fill up with a waxy substance, so they can occasionally look like a pimple with a white or yellowish head.
The nipples and the area around the nipples (areola) become darker and larger. Small bumps may appear on the areola. These bumps will go away after you have your baby.
During pregnancy: Along with a darkening of your nipples and enlargement of your breasts, the appearance of Montgomery's tubercles is an early sign of pregnancy. These areola bumps become noticeable in 30% to 50% of pregnant people.
The areola surrounds the nipple, both having more pigment than the surrounding skin, and contains the glands of Montgomery which provide a protective lubrication during lactation. The areola also has circular smooth muscle fibres and may contain auxiliary breast tissue which secretes milk during lactation.
The most common cause of Montgomery's tubercles is pregnancy. Along with breast tenderness, darkening veins, and sore nipples, breast changes are one of the earliest signs of pregnancy.
As pregnancy hormones increase the blood supply to your breasts, you may feel a tingling sensation around your nipples (Bharj and Daniels 2017). This can be one of the earliest symptoms of pregnancy, and is sometimes noticeable by the third week (Bharj and Daniels 2017).
Hormone changes during the menstrual cycle may lead to breast swelling. More estrogen is made early in the cycle and it peaks just before mid-cycle. This causes the breast ducts to grow in size. The progesterone level peaks near the 21st day (in a 28-day cycle).
It's possible to check the position and firmness of your cervix at home. You can do this by inserting a finger into your vagina to feel for the cervix. Your middle finger may be the most effective finger to use because it's the longest, but use whichever finger is easiest for you.