Should I worry that my nipple inverts occasionally when taking off bra and sometimes when lying down flat on my stomach?

Question

My left nipple occasionally is inverted briefly after taking off my bra and one time I noticed it from laying down on my stomach. It always comes back out after a few minutes or after touching it. When I normally look at it it usually only has a slight indent but is not flat or inverted, more like a small dimple. I think it has always been that way but reading online is making me double guess myself. I'm 22 and I have no family history of breast cancer. Should I worry?

Phillip Chang, MD · Answer

Hi annie146

Inverted nipples can be corrected with a minor surgical procedure performed under local anesthesia. Nipple inversion correction surgery aims to preserve the nipple’s usual sensation, avoid visible scarring, and maintain the functioning of the breast duct to enable breastfeeding. For more information about this procedure, please visit our website.

George Volpe, MD · Answer

Inverted nipples are quite common and are seen very often in the course of a plastic surgeons practice. It may just involve one dimple or could involve both. Changes may be dynamic or static. Dynamic means that it retracts sometimes but is able to protrude. A static inverted nipple is a nipple that is always pulled in. The vast majority of these times this is a benign condition. Rarely but very seriously, a nipple could invert by the presence of a malignant tumor just under the nipple. One would not expect the nipple to be able to protrude in this scenario. If one has a new finding of an inverted nipple which it never had done before, whether one is young or old or male or female, it is worth investigation to rule out an underlying tumor. But if it has been a long-standing issue, the chances are extraordinarily slim that it could represent an underlying cancer.

Zoran Potparic, MD · Answer

Based on your history it looks that you have mild inverted nipple deformity. it can be corrected with surgery in local anesthesia preserving milk ducts to allow for breast feeding in the future. Only on the basis of in person evaluation one can rule out possible mass (malignancy) although it is very unlikely. good luck.

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

An inverted nipple is often due to natural and non concerning reasons but likely best to be evaluated for reassurance.

John A. Kotis, DO, FACS, FACOS · Answer

Hi
If the nipple is inverted and can be expressed the tethering must be minimal. If any cancer risk has been workedup and there is no history there are a few options. One is placing a filler or fat transfer under the nipple as a spacer. The other option is to transect the tethering causing the inversion and place a dissolvable quilting stitch under the nipple to prevent the nipple from inverting. I would like to see pictures in the future if possible. I recommend being examined by a board certified PS. Good luck

Sanjay Azad, MS, FRCSEd · Answer

Partial nipple inversion is not an issue and can be left well alone. Surgery in this area could lead to lack of breast feeding due to damage to the milk ducts and also loss of nipple sensation. Both of these effects are not desirable. I would suggest leaving matters alone or getting a consultation for reassurance.

Charles Nduka, MD · Answer

Based on the description, you may seem to have a degree of nipple inversion which can be corrected by a minor surgery under local anesthesia. Surgery is a choice, however. If you do not feel like it would affect your everyday living, a plastic surgery may not be the optimal option. Have them evaluated to rule out any other condition that can pose problems in the future.

Should I worry that my nipple inverts occasionally when taking off bra and sometimes when lying down flat on my stomach?

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