Nipple Inversion

Nipple Inversion may be present from birth or from the time of breast development. In this case it is a developmental problem caused by insufficient growth in length of the major milk ducts underneath the nipple. The short ducts pull the nipple inwards causing inversion. Sometimes the muscle within the nipple can temporarily bring the nipple out again (this particularly occurs in cold weather). Often nipple inversion develops in a previously normal nipple. This is most often the result of inflammation underneath the nipple (periductal mastitis), which eventually causes scarring of the ducts. The milk ducts which are scarred shorten and gradually pull the nipple inwards. Breast cancer can also pull on the breast ducts and cause nipple inversion, it is therefore very important to have a breast check if you noticed that your nipple has recently come inverted.

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