What do Healthy Nipples Look Like?
When it comes to nipples, there is no specific way what it should look like. Normal nipple appearance can have natural variance in shape, color, texture, and size.
1. Nipples can have a different color
The nipple or areola color ranging from pink to dark brown is entirely normal. It can also change due to hormonal fluctuations in the body. Your nipple or areola (dark skin around the nipple) could change during pregnancy. It can get darker, which is also quite common. Moreover, your nipple’s colour may or may not lighten post-pregnancy.
2. Nipples can be big or small
If you find yourself googling average nipple size, then you are not alone. The size of your nipple or areola is not a matter of concern. Nipples can be big or small. This size can vary during puberty, pregnancy, menstruation, or breastfeeding. So, there is no need to worry about their size.
3. Nipples can be bumpy
Some women have bumps on their areola, making them insecure. Those tiny bumps are Montgomery glands. These glands produce oil secretions to lubricate the nipple/areola. However, not every bump is a Montgomery gland. Sometimes, this can be a cancerous lump.
How do you check if the lump is cancerous?
The common symptoms that can tell whether the lump is cancerous-
- If the bump is large, painless, and hard.
- If it appears spontaneously
- Constant pain in armpit or breast
- Discharge from one or both the nipples
Now, here's what is normal and you shouldn't be worried about.
#1 Nipples can be hairy
If you have hairy nipples, there is no need to feel awkward or insecure. Every woman doesn’t have hairy nipples, but there’s nothing abnormal about it if you do. There are no definite reasons behind nipple hair, and it’s ordinary in most cases. Having said that, it can be a sign of PCOS or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome. How can you identify this? Read on to know a few symptoms:
- There is sudden and excessive growth of facial hair, nipple hair, and body hair.
- Irregular periods or no periods at all
- Sudden weight gain or loss
- Thinning or loss of hair
- Acne on skin
#2 Nipples can have different shapes
Some nipples protrude outwards, and others are inverted or pointing inwards. Numerous women have inverted or retracted nipples. However, this might sometimes interfere with the breastfeeding process. How? It’s challenging for the infant to latch onto the nipple of the lactating mother. Apart from that, it’s not something to worry about.
Your nipples can get stimulated when you feel cold, are sexually aroused, or are touched by someone. The areola and nipple get harder and smaller in such cases. There are several reasons for erect or hard nipples. However, this change in shape is temporary.
Healthy vs. Unhealthy Nipple
The change of nipple colour is not regular under the following circumstances:
- If the colour change is occurring on one side of the nipple.
- If it is unevenly distributed on both sides.
- If it happens even when you’re not pregnant.
- If your nipple colour has suddenly changed and you are unaware of the cause.
- If there is a bloody discharge from your nipple.
If any of the above changes are seen in your body, you should definitely consult a doctor.
How to Grow Nipples?
Studies show that you can increase breast size naturally through exercises and alterations in diet, but “How to grow nipples”? You cannot grow your nipples naturally. To grow a nipple, a woman has to undergo surgical methods. Nipple surgery also causes complications among some women. Usually, most women who have undergone this surgery can produce milk, but not all can.
Foods to Eat to Increase Breast Size Naturally
Certain foods can help you to increase breast size naturally. Let’s have a look:
- Milk - Your breasts are entirely composed of fats. Consuming whole milk products rich in fat can help increase breast size.
- Fenugreek seeds - Fenugreek seeds are enriched with estrogen that encourages bigger breasts. Roast some fenugreek seeds and grind them into a fine powder. Form a paste, and mix with mustard oil. Massage this onto your breast gently.
- Flax seeds- Flax seeds are full of Omega-3 fatty acids. Due to these healthy fats, breast growth is stimulated. Flax seeds can easily be added to your diet.
- Nuts- Nuts are enriched with monounsaturated fats that trigger breast tissue growth.
Also read: Does breast kissing cause pregnancy?
Conclusion
Nipples and breasts come in different shapes and sizes. All of them are completely normal and nothing to be ashamed of or worried about. Variations in body parts are natural. We hope this article provided the gist of what healthy nipples look like. Remember, if there is a non-uniform or sudden change in the size or shape of a nipple, doctor consultations are the best step forward.
Reference
https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/cancer/Documents/ybyh_throughout_2011.pdf
https://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/cancer/Documents/ybyh_throughout_2011.pdf
