Patient's question:
Recently, I've noticed that my areola is shrinking. When I take a hot shower, it returns to normal, but once I leave the hot water and it cools down, it shrinks again. It's fine when I'm wearing clothes, but as soon as I take them off and it gets cold, it shrinks again. I wonder if it's a bit sensitive to cold? What could be the reason? Is it related to breast diseases?Doctor's answer:
Hello: Nipple inversion is a common condition in women. The most common causes of nipple inversion are as follows:Tight clothing. Especially during breast development, tight underwear can easily lead to nipple inversion.
Improper bra use. A bra that is too small or too tight, or one worn too early, can cause nipple inversion.
Nipple inversion also has a certain genetic relationship. Clinical observations show that if a mother or her mother's generation (grandmother) has a history of nipple inversion, the next generation is more likely to develop nipple inversion compared to the general population.
Nipple inversion is highly harmful.
First, it affects aesthetics and hinders breastfeeding.
Second, due to nipple inversion, nipples are often forcibly pulled out during breastfeeding. At this time, the nipples are very delicate, and any collision can easily cause damage, rupture, and bleeding, potentially leading to infection of the nipple and even the entire breast, ultimately resulting in mastitis.
Third, the nipple is a very important erogenous zone for women, and many women achieve sexual arousal through nipple stimulation. Once inverted, the effective sexual stimulation cannot be fully achieved, and it may even affect the male partner's libido.
Nipple inversion can be corrected and treated, but prevention is key.
Prevention of nipple inversion should start from the teenage years. Women with nipple inversion in direct relatives such as mothers or aunts should be considered as key targets for prevention.
Regularly pulling the nipples. The teenage years are a crucial period for breast development and also an important time for correcting nipple inversion. Regularly pulling the nipples