Some women suffer from one or more abnormal tips. The nipple abnormality(s) may be associated with serious underlying conditions or structural defects that affect the functioning of the nipple. These abnormal nipple(s) may also cause emotional problems, such as anxiety and shame. In some cases a nipple correction is possible. The doctor will also treat any underlying condition or other complaints.

• Normal nipples
• Athelie and missing nipples
• Inverted nipples
• Inverted nipples
• Polythely and a congenital extra nipple
• Prominent nipples
• Trauma to or loss of nipple
• Other nipple abnormalities in women

Normal nipples

Normally, the nipple is present on the areola on each breast and protrudes slightly. Some women sometimes suspect that they are suffering from abnormal nipples because the two nipples are different in shape, size or color. But just like the breasts, which are asymmetrical in shape and size, the nipples also show slight external differences. This is a normal physiological phenomenon and doctors do not label it as a deformity or nipple abnormality. However, if the nipples suddenly become disproportionate in size compared to the breast or areola, and may also cause nipple pain, medical advice is necessary.

Athelie and missing nipples

In the rare congenital condition athelia, a woman has one or two missing nipples. Usually only one nipple is missing. Athelie is sometimes a feature of Poland syndrome (abnormalities of the chest and hand). Bilateral (absence of nipples on both breasts) atthely occurs in certain forms of ectodermal dysplasia.

Inverted nipples

Inverted nipples are reminiscent of inverted nipples, but this is not the same. The nipples are retracted when they previously rose above the surface of the areola but have now been pulled inward. They do not protrude due to stimulation.This may be due to:

• age-related changes
• breast cancer
• a breast abscess (painful lump with pus in breast)
• an infection of the milk duct
• a trauma resulting in fat necrosis (area of fatty tissue after trauma, often on the chest) or scarring
• a sagging breast
• mastitis (inflammation of breast tissue, often during breastfeeding)
• sudden and excessive weight loss
• postoperatively after breast or nipple surgery
• tuberculosis (bacterial infection with lung problems)
• enlargement (ectasia) of the milk ducts

 Pregnant women are more likely to have inverted nipples / Source: PublicDomainPictures, Pixabay

Inverted nipples

With inverted nipples (nipple inversion), the nipples are turned inwards into the areola. One or both nipples are inverted. If the woman presses on the breast, they will emerge from the areola. Even during pregnancy and breastfeeding, the nipples are no longer rotated in the areola. Breastfeeding is sometimes a problem, but it is usually possible to get the nipples into a normal position if the baby holds the nipples properly in the mouth, or if the woman uses a breast pump.In a large number of cases, nipple inversion is congenital. Sometimes genes are the cause of the difference in nipple shape. An inverted nipple is also sometimes part of a condition such as:

• congenital glycosylation disorder
• the chromosome 2q deletion syndrome
• the Fryns-Aftimos syndrome
• the Kennerknecht-Sorgo-Oberhoffer syndrome
• the Weaver syndrome (neurological disorder)

Polythely and a congenital extra nipple

A woman with polythely has an extra nipple above or below the normally situated nipple from birth. Sometimes the nipple also appears elsewhere on the body, usually along the milk line that extends from the armpit to the groin area.

Prominent nipples

The nipples are sometimes unusually large and protrude a lot. These prominent nipples are especially visible during puberty in women and are due to the growth and development of the breasts (female sexual characteristics). These large and protruding nipples are also evident during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Finally, prominent and swollen nipples are visible with tubular breast deformity, where the underlying breast tissue protrudes.

Trauma to or loss of nipple

Trauma to the breast or nipple may cause deviated nipples. A nipple piercing in particular may cause an infection and/or a scar. Burns can also cause deformed nipples, or even a loss of one or both nipples. Occasionally a woman has incomplete nipples due to trauma. There are no openings on the surface for the outflow of milk.

Other nipple abnormalities in women

Scaly, cracked or cracked nipples may result from the following conditions:

• Paget’s disease of the nipple (form of breast cancer)
• eczema (chronic skin disease with dry skin and itchy skin)
• irritant dermatitis (jogger’s nipples)
• psoriasis (chronic skin disease with dry skin and flakes)

Doctors also sometimes see these abnormal nipples in breastfeeding women.

read more

• One or more extra nipple or nipples: Usually harmless
• Inverted (inverted) nipples: Causes of nipple inversion
• Athelie: Missing nipple or absent nipples on breast