Inverted Nipple - Is this something I need to worry about?

The inverted nipple can be everted with a small surgical procedure that is done in the office under local anesthesia.  It is a fairly straight forward procedure with minimal downtime.  I would recommend visiting a board certified plastic surgeon who has experience with inverted nipple surgery.

Inverted nipples are caused by tightened breast duct tissue and may be due to a variety of reasons, such as genetics, trauma, pregnancy and lactation. Cancer isn't usually a cause. You can see a doctor for a physical examination if you are concerned.

A true inverted nipple is one that does NOT come out at all with stimulation.  It sounds like yours comes out.  There is a fairly simple procedure that can be done where the bands that are tethering your nipple and pulling it in are cut and the nipple is thereby released.  I often do this under local anesthesia in my office.  The downside is that it may interfere or eliminate your ability to breast feed in the future.  A recurrence of the inverted nipple is also a possibility.

Although nipple inversion is a common issue, evaluation by a physician is warranted to ensure that it is not caused by an abnormality within your breast, most worrisome, a malignancy of your breast. Given your history of spontaneous eversion without difficulty and without other signs or symptoms, your instance is likely a benign finding.  A simple procedure to correct and evert your nipple is possible if you so desired.  However, I would wait until breast feeding and childbearing is completed.  Certainly, if it continues to progress, fails to evert with manipulation, or there is any drainage/bleeding, an examination with likely further imaging studies should be conducted urgently.  Hope that this helps!  Good luck!

Nipple inversion is caused by fibrous smooth muscle bands that cause the nipple to retract.  Nipple inversion can be corrected by a relatively simple surgical procedure where a small incision is made at the base of the nipple and the bands are released using a small scissors.  The release is much like popping a guitar string.  The only problem with doing this procedure at your age is the possibility of not being able to breast feed afterwards.

Thank you for the question.
It would be in your best interest to see a physician for consultation;  although rare, nipple inversion can be a sign of malignancy of the breast.
Inverted nipples can cause functional problems for women and emotional concerns. An inverted nipple can look flat or a slit like depression or hole at the normal nipple location. There are different degrees of inverted nipples possible. Whether a patient is a candidate for correction of inverted nipples  depends on the  extent of the problem.

Usually correction of the inverted nipples involve division  of the lactiferous (milk ducts). The risks  of the procedure include potential loss of sensation, inability to breast-feed, recurrence of the asymmetry and the potential need for further surgery.
My advice to patients go something like this...  If the nipple is permanently inverted and does not evert  with stimulation, then it is a useless nipple  when it comes to sensitivity and/or breast-feeding. In these  cases correction of inversion is indicated (because the potential gains outweigh the risks outlined above).  On the other hand, if the nipple does evert  spontaneously with  or without stimulation,  then I am more reluctant to perform the procedure given that the risks may outweigh the potential benefits.  At that point, the decision is the patient's to make after careful consideration.
I hope this helps.

Inverted nipples are quite common and typically are not an issue. If this has been present for a while and easily can be everted then it is probably fine. It can be easily "released" under local anesthesia in the office if you would like it repaired, but I would suggest you wait until after you are done having children and breast feeding.

Not to alarm you, but in rare cases a new nipple inversion may be caused by a tumor beneath the nipple. If you do not feel any masses you should be fine. If you are really uncertain and still concerned, a breast surgeon or plastic surgeon can evaluate this for you.