It is caused by tight connective tissue or other problems with the ductal system connected to the nipple. Although many people have inverted or retracted nipples since birth, they can also occur late in life. That is known as acquired nipple inversion or retraction.
Up to about 10-20% of cisgender women are born with inverted nipples – most often on both sides – and they are usually harmless. Some people's nipples may naturally become inverted gradually over time.
Inverted nipples are nipples that point inward or lie flat, rather than pointing out. It's also called retracted nipples. It can happen in one breast or both. You may have been born this way. But if it starts to happen later in life, it could be a sign of a medical problem that needs to be checked by a doctor.
Inverted Nipple Correction is a surgical procedure to correct a turned-in nipple so that it protrudes normally. It is usually carried out under local anaesthetic. Your surgeon will make a small incision (cut) in the lower outer border of the nipple.
“They are nipples that point out to the sides like sides of a compass,” she says. “This is genetic, and if an implant is put into a breast with sideways-pointing nipples, they will be accentuated.” South-facing nipples are common too, especially as you age or if your weight has fluctuated a lot, Dr Horton says.
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. This process takes quite a long time.
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.
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.
Inverted nipples are a hereditary condition where your nipples point inward. It usually appears at birth but can develop later in life. This condition can affect men and women and is usually caused by underdeveloped tissue or the structure of the nipple itself. However, some may develop this condition over time.
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.
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 is caused by tight connective tissue or other problems with the ductal system connected to the nipple. Although many people have inverted or retracted nipples since birth, they can also occur late in life. That is known as acquired nipple inversion or retraction.
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. However, some studies suggest that hormone replacement treatment may help prevent these changes.
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. Breast lumps are common around the time of menopause.
Nipple retraction and inversion
This is completely normal and does not require assessment by a doctor. Nipple retraction or inversion that is new, occurring only in one breast, or where the nipple does not come out on stimulation can be a concerning sign of breast cancer.
Conclusion: Manipulation of the nipples/breasts causes or enhances sexual arousal in approximately 82% of young women and 52% of young men with only 7-8% reporting that it decreased their arousal.
Falling oestrogen levels at the menopause make breast tissue dehydrated and less elastic, so breasts can lose their rounded shape and begin to sag. The change in shape can leave you with nipples that point downwards.
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.
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.
The crustiness you're referring to is likely related to the discharge from the nipple that has dried, forming a crusty scale. In most cases, nipple discharge is nothing to worry about. It could be due to cysts in the breasts, non-cancerous tumors, or infection, among other conditions.
True Flat Nipples
Many women have nipples that appear flat most of the time, but then become erect when they are exposed to cold temperature or sexual stimulation.
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.
Most nipples fit into one of three categories: • Erect nipples stand out and are easiest for a baby to latch on to. Inverted nipples sink in and may, or may not, become erect with rolling, breastfeeding or pumping. Flat nipples do not stand out or sink in.