What causes inverted nipples?

Inverted nipple in women is also a relatively common symptom. The main cause is genetic reasons. Of course, it may also be due to secondary inverted nipple, which is quite harmful to women. On the one hand, it is easy to cause bacteria to breed. On the other hand, the baby may not be able to suck normally during breastfeeding. At this time, it can be treated by certain methods, and it can be corrected if it is not particularly serious.

What causes inverted nipples?

1. Primary nipple inversion

(1) Smooth muscle dysplasia. The nipple has 15 to 20 lactiferous duct openings, and the lactiferous ducts are surrounded by smooth muscle fibers. The nipple is pulled inward by the muscle fiber bundles that surround the lactiferous ducts and insert into the nipple dermis. The texture of these muscle bundles is significantly different from that of the lactiferous ducts.

(2) Lactiferous duct hypoplasia. The immature lactiferous ducts fail to ductalize and appear as cords.

(3) There is a lack of supporting tissue under the nipple.

2. Secondary inverted nipple

(1) Caused by disease. Caused by contraction of invaded ducts, ligaments, and fascia.

(2) Malignant breast tumor. Women with normal breasts who experience inverted nipples without obvious cause should undergo mammograms and other examinations to rule out the presence of breast malignancy.

(3) Breast surgery. When using dermal pedicles in breast plastic surgery, nipple inversion may also occur due to tension and scar contraction.

3. Other common causes

(1) Clothing that is too tight. If women's underwear is too tight during the period of breast development, it is easy to cause nipple retraction.

(2) Improper use of bra. Wearing a bra that is too small, too tight, or too early can cause inverted nipples.

(3) Related to genetics. Clinical observation shows that if the mother and her maternal generation or grandmother has a history of inverted nipples, the next generation is more likely to suffer from inverted nipples than normal people.

Notes on surgical correction

1. Please do not take medications containing aspirin within two weeks before surgery, as aspirin can reduce the coagulation function of platelets.

2. Patients with hypertension and diabetes should tell their doctor the details during the initial consultation so that the doctor can confirm the surgical plan.

3. Before the operation, make sure that the patient is in good health and has no other infectious diseases or inflammation.

4. Surgery should not be performed during menstruation, pregnancy, or within 6 months of lactation.

5. Avoid raising your upper limbs after the operation. Bandage your chest if necessary.

6. 4-5 days after the operation, you can massage your breasts, squeezing them in all directions, once in the morning and once in the evening to prevent capsule contracture.

7. If the wound is red and swollen, or there is a small amount of exudate, and the subcutaneous tissue is hardened, physical therapy is required.

8. Avoid sexual intercourse within one week after the operation, and be extremely careful with your breasts within one month thereafter.