What are inverted nipples?
The term inverted nipples refers to a usually congenital malformation of the nipples. The nipples are curved inwards. The inverted nipple can also occur unilaterally or asymmetrically.
Inverted nipples are medically known as inverted nipples.
The anatomy of inverted nipples:
The mammary gland has many small milk ducts, which in turn lead into larger ducts. These ultimately end in the large ducts at the nipples. In inverted nipples, these ducts are shortened. This also affects the neighboring connective tissue.
The shortening results in an invagination and the funnel-shaped exterior of the inverted nipples.
However, retracted nipples can also occur as a result of scarring caused by inflammation or breast cancer. These changes are not inverted nipples and must be clarified urgently.
What symptoms can be associated with the malformation?
Hygiene may be impaired if the inverted nipples are very pronounced.
Women with inverted nipples are often unable to breastfeed. There are special caps that can be placed over the nipples to enable breastfeeding.
Conservative correction treatment of inverted nipples with Niplette
There is a good conservative option for correcting inverted nipples: the Niplette.
The Niplette basically consists of a funnel that is placed on the nipple. A vacuum can be built up with a suction mechanism via an integrated tube. This pulls on the inward-facing nipple, causing the tissue to stretch. The milk ducts, connective tissue and skin should be permanently stretched so that the nipples remain erect if successful. Niplete can be purchased in pharmacies without a prescription. It should be worn for several hours a day for 4-6 weeks. However, the Niplette does not always help: if the nipples cannot be sufficiently improved conservatively, corrective surgery can be performed.
How is inverted nipple surgery performed?
The inverted nipple operation is performed under local anesthesia. An accompanying twilight sleep is pleasant.
An incision is made across the nipples or at their base and dissected approx. 1-2 cm deep. The most important step is to cut through all glandular ducts and the neighboring connective tissue structures. Even the finest strands that remain can lead to the recurrence of inverted nipples. Nevertheless, the procedure must not be so radical that it leads to a circulatory disorder in the nipples.
What should I bear in mind during aftercare?
The position of the nipples is fixed with a cannula at the end of the operation. This should be left in place for at least 1 week. It should be bandaged with an antiseptic or antibiotic ointment. The stitches can be removed after 10-14 days.
After the operation to remove the nipples, all mammary gland ducts are interrupted. This means that breastfeeding is normally no longer possible.
The skin sensation in the nipples may be worse after the operation.
You can find information on other breast topics under breast reduction, breast augmentation and breast lift, for example.
