As you already know, in the vast majority of women, the nipple projects outwards. Although there may be cases in which the projection is abnormal and the nipple goes inward. These are the so-called inverted nipples. A priori they do not have to present a health problem, although they do occur after puberty, it would be advisable to see a doctor. Below we will tell you everything about reversed nipples and they can present health problems in women.
Are they inverted or retracted nipples? Acquired or congenital?
Congenital inverted nipples can be determined to be benign in 100% of cases, as María José del Río, gynecologist, mastologist and director of the Chilean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, has come to determine when talking about this topic.
It can be affirmed that around 3 percent of inverted nipples in women are congenital and that they arise during an alteration in the embryonic period. These usually present a complete inversion and are bilateral.
During puberty or adolescence is when they manifest, since that produces mammary development. At this time, it is when patients usually go to the specialist for their aesthetic concern by having inverted nipples, although it can be determined that there is no risk to health.
Of course, on the other side of the coin, it can be said that inverted nipples acquired after puberty can be due to malignant or benign causes, since they are not from birth. Regarding the benign, we can highlight the infectious-inflammatory causes (for example, mastitis), a dilation of the mammary ducts due to surgery or a fistula. Although, as we have already said, there may also be a malignant reason, and it may be one of the first symptoms of breast cancer that is developing.
When can they present a health problem and do you have to see a doctor?
If there is something that you have to be clear about, it is that you have to consult a medical specialist when the inversion is unilateral, that is, only in one nipple and it has occurred quickly and not progressively. In these cases, we could be facing a malignant cause and that the medical specialist could examine with some studies such as ultrasound, mammography, etc.
Inverted or retracted nipples can also occur in men, and benign causes are much less common.