Nipple coloring varies widely, and what’s “normal” looks different from person to person. The color of your nipples and areolas (the skin around your nipples) is influenced by a range of factors.
In this article, we’ll explore the most common reasons for nipple color changes and explain when it’s a good idea to consult with your doctor. Understanding these changes empowers you to be more proactive about your breast health.
Hormonal Influences on Nipple Color
Hormones can affect the color of your nipples, and the changes are most noticeable during times of hormonal upheaval.
Puberty
As hormone levels change during puberty, the nipples and areolas can darken. The hormones estrogen and progesterone play a significant role in melanin production, and these changes are a normal part of growing up.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy causes significant hormonal fluctuations that often lead to darker nipples and areolas. Again, this is due to increased estrogen and progesterone stimulating melanin synthesis. This darkening may persist even after pregnancy.
Menopause
As estrogen levels decline during menopause, nipple color may lighten or change. These changes are usually less dramatic than during puberty or pregnancy, but they can still happen.
Hormonal Birth Control
Hormonal birth control pills, patches, or injections can mimic pregnancy hormones, leading to similar nipple color changes. The extent of the change varies depending on the type and dosage of hormones involved.
Other factors that change nipple color
Besides hormones and genetics, nipple color can also change due to:
- Medical procedures: Breast augmentation or lumpectomies can sometimes change nipple color by disrupting blood flow or damaging nerves.
- Skin conditions: Eczema and dermatitis can inflame the skin around the nipples, causing discoloration, itching, redness, and flaking.
- Breastfeeding: Breastfeeding can temporarily darken nipples because of hormonal changes and increased blood flow. Sore nipples are a common problem, affecting up to 90% of breastfeeding people.
Nipple Discharge: When to Worry
Nipple discharge can happen for many reasons, including hormone changes, medications, and some breast conditions. For example, galactorrhea is when someone who isn’t pregnant or breastfeeding makes breast milk.
If the discharge is bloody, clear, or looks like pus, you should see a doctor, especially if it happens on its own or only comes from one nipple. If you aren’t breastfeeding, any nipple discharge should be checked out right away.
Some types of discharge could mean you have an infection or something more serious going on.
When Nipple Changes Warrant Medical Attention
Although nipple color changes are common, some changes are worth a trip to your healthcare provider.
Significant Color Changes
Any sudden or significant change in nipple color, especially if it’s accompanied by other symptoms, should be checked by a doctor. While color variations are normal, drastic changes may point to an underlying problem.
Nipple Retraction or Inversion
If your nipples suddenly become retracted or inverted, that’s a change you should report to your healthcare provider. Although about 10% of women have at least one inverted nipple, changes in the nipple are concerning.
Skin Changes
Itchiness, redness, flakiness, or scaling around the nipple could indicate a skin condition, such as eczema. In rare cases, these symptoms could indicate Paget’s disease of the nipple, a rare form of breast cancer.
Persistent nipple pain, itchy red nipples, or skin changes resembling the texture of an orange peel also need evaluation.
Other Concerning Symptoms
Any nipple changes that occur along with a lump, pain, or swelling in the breast require a prompt medical evaluation. Early diagnosis and treatment are key when it comes to breast and nipple health.
Conclusion
Nipple color can change for many reasons, and most of them are harmless. Still, it’s important to be aware of your breasts and nipples so you can maintain your overall breast health. Hormones, pregnancy, and other factors can affect the way your nipples look.
If you notice any unusual changes, talk with your healthcare provider right away to ensure early detection and treatment of any potential problems. Regular self-exams and clinical breast exams are also important for finding problems early, when they’re most treatable.