To the standards of beauty of a modern woman, more and more requirements are made each time. But the correction of some shortcomings can pursue not only an aesthetic goal, but also a practical one. Such features of the female body include inverted nipples. After the birth of a child, they can become a real problem, making feeding the baby difficult. Although sometimes this particular event can be a natural way to eliminate the deficiency.
Inverted nipples are a feature of the structure of the female breast. It can be either congenital or acquired. In the first case, bilateral retraction is observed; in the second, there is also one-sided retraction. This feature of the mammary glands looks like a nipple pressed into the skin, which is on a par with the halo. With normal development, it rises slightly above the skin.
In fact, this feature of the breast does not cause any complications or the development of diseases. But for some women, this is a subject for complexes. Although real problems can arise, as mentioned above, during breastfeeding, as the baby does not have enough strength to suck out milk, and pumping is, as you know, not the most painless procedure. After all, if you do not do it, lactostasis or mastitis may simply develop, and the child will have the wrong bite.
Types of nipples with this feature
Modern medicine distinguishes two types of retracted nipples. They differ to a large extent. Now we will tell you more about each. The first type is when the nipple restores its correct appearance with various stimulations. In this case, there are no problems with feeding and aesthetic appearance. A natural normal appearance with such a structure can completely restore breastfeeding. Experts classify such an inverted nipple in reviews as a hiding type. It is important to note that serious treatment for correction is not required.
The most serious doctors consider a truly inverted nipple, which is congenital. In this case, the risk of benign tumors increases. And breastfeeding then becomes simply impossible. This type of pathology has more than one stage of retraction of the nipple, there are as many as three:
- The first degree is characterized by the nipple's response to stimulation, albeit for a short time.
- For the second degree, the reaction of the nipple to longer stimulations is normal. At the same time, it takes the initial state for even less amount of time.
- The third degree of retraction is the most difficult. In this case, stimulation does not affect the condition in any way.
How is the diagnosis carried out?
Inverted nipples in women of a congenital type require compulsory treatment, which requires proper diagnosis by a specialist.
The examination is carried out by a mammologist - a doctor specializing in the treatment of problems and diseases of the mammary gland. A woman, having discovered the syndrome of inverted nipples, should contact him in order to exclude possible problems. The diagnosis itself includes:
- Questioning, during which the doctor needs to find out about heredity, injuries and interventions, and about when the anomaly occurred.
- After an external examination and palpation is performed, to exclude or confirm the presence of formations.
- If necessary, samples are taken for histological analysis.
- Additionally, an examination on an ultrasound machine, x-ray and other hardware studies can be prescribed.
- If cancer is suspected, samples are also assigned to tumor markers.
After all the research results have been obtained, and the likelihood of oncology and its possible development is excluded, you can proceed to direct treatment.
The reasons for the appearance of a similar problem
The appearance of any changes and deviations in the human body does not occur for no apparent reason. The same situation applies to such a pathology. Currently, it is customary to actively treat it. However, it is worth knowing separately about why the nipples are retracted and what affects this. So, among the main reasons, the following are distinguished:
- features during puberty;
- abnormalities in the development of the genital organs and mammary gland;
- heredity;
- underdevelopment of the milk ducts;
- chest injuries;
- wearing underwear that is not suitable in size, or incorrectly selected;
- education in the mammary gland of a different nature;
- mastitis, mastopathy and cancer.
That is, from the main causes of the inverted nipple, it is clear that the occurrence of pathology can be triggered by external influences, and not just by a predisposition. In this case, the process of the occurrence of pathology is known. It is described in a rather simple language, namely: retracted nipples arise due to the fact that the size of the connective tissue that forms the milk ducts at the site of attachment to the nipple is reduced. The causes of this phenomenon are described above, as a result of which the nipple is drawn into the areola.
The problem with the nipples. What can this feature lead to?
Unfortunately, this problem can cause female problems such as:
- aesthetic discomfort;
- decreased sexual activity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- psycho-emotional instability;
- various inflammatory processes.
Given the number of possible problems, the question of treating retracted nipples should not be delayed or ignored altogether. To do this, you need to see a doctor in a timely manner and follow all his recommendations. If correction of retracted nipples by treatment is not possible, a woman may be offered surgical intervention. Again, a decision cannot be made unilaterally. In this case, a comprehensive review of the issue is necessary, weighing the probable advantages in relation to the possible risk.
Methods for the treatment of inverted nipples (photo)
Correcting something is possible only after a diagnosis. As a non-surgical intervention, the use of:
- Special exercises, which are carried out twice a day, for one minute.
- The use of special nozzles on the nipple, which act on it by creating a vacuum. Such devices can be worn underwear. And you need to do this within a few days, the amount of which is determined by a specialist. The doctor must also remove the device. This is done in order to observe the woman's breast hygiene and to control possible injuries.
- It is also possible correction after the birth of the baby, which boils down to the fact that you can purchase a special pad on the nipple made of silicone that mimics the normal shape.
All these types of correction are effective only if the nipple is of a hiding type. Unfortunately, when the inverted nipples are the result of a congenital pathology, the main recommended correction method is surgery. It requires preliminary preparation for and rehabilitation. There is no stage in this process that is more important, everyone matters. After all, the result should be not only beautiful breasts, but also full recovery.
Surgical intervention
How to fix inverted nipples? If other methods have not helped, then you can have plastic surgery. But you must follow the general recommendations. Indeed, during the operation, a person receives anesthesia. In addition, you need to notify the doctor in advance whether future pregnancy and breastfeeding are planned or not. This will help determine to the surgeon how to correct the inverted nipple during surgery.
Surgical Preparation
The main recommendations before surgery include:
- A complete examination and the elimination of problems associated with the heart, lungs, thrombosis and other possible and chronic diseases.
- One week before the operation, the rejection of alcohol and tobacco is strongly recommended.
- Fasting is quite useful, that is, the stomach should be empty.
- Be sure to inform the doctor about reactions to certain drugs, and about which drugs were taken the day before. Some of them negatively affect coagulability.
Negative consequences after surgery
Everything else must be carefully acquainted with the possible negative consequences after carrying out these operations. These include:
- Possible infection and the formation of ulcers at the site of the suture.
- Scar formation, however, this problem with timely intervention can be corrected.
- The appearance of hematomas is probably the most harmless that can happen during an operation to correct the inverted nipples. As a rule, they pass by themselves within a few days or weeks.
Two kinds of operations that are done with a similar problem
If the inverted nipples, what will the doctor do in this case? What kind of operation to carry out, the surgeon decides on the basis of information received from the patient. As already noted, there are two types of correction:
- In the first method, if breastfeeding is planned in the future, the incision is minimized. In this case, only the dissection of the base of the halo occurs, followed by the release of tissue that did not allow the nipple to take the correct position. This method does not affect the milk ducts and paths. Such work is comparable to jewelry and requires a specialist to have a high level of preparation and use of technology for a detailed examination and control of each of its movements.
- The second method is applicable for those who do not plan to breastfeed. To perform nipple repair, the surgeon cuts the nipple along with the milk ducts. Then it separates the fibers that draw it inward. After this, a nipple shape is created that is sutured. Such an operation is easier, but it also requires qualifications.
Additionally, we say that both types of intervention are performed either under general anesthesia or under local anesthesia. His choice accordingly depends on the patient. After the operation, the recovery period is very important, in other words, rehabilitation.
Rehabilitation after correction
In order to prevent any complications, it is very important that all the recommendations of the doctor are followed. A responsible approach by a woman will make the recovery process faster. Now consider a sample list of recommendations:
- It is very important to listen to your feelings, and, as necessary, consult a doctor.
- Compliance with the hygiene recommended by the doctor, the use of healing ointments, creams and painkillers.
- It is necessary to abandon uncomfortable underwear and underwear not in size in favor of compression.
- When prescribing antibiotics, their use is mandatory. This will protect against possible infectious diseases.
- It is important to ensure peace of the chest so that there are no deformations.
- During the rehabilitation period, it is necessary to abandon classes in the gym.
- Preference should be given to a looser cut of clothing.
- Sleep also has its limitations, that is, you only need to sleep on your back.
After healing of sutures and wounds, all restrictions will be removed. Then the woman will be able to return to the full life that she had before the operation. As for scars or possible scars, they are almost imperceptible and corrected by special means.
How to choose the right specialist for the operation to correct the nipple?
In addition, we note that the quality of the result largely depends on the specialist. Therefore, when choosing it, you need to pay attention to some points:
- his work experience, qualifications and specialization;
- conditions of the operation;
- patient opinions;
- work examples;
- the level of equipment in the clinic as a whole for all stages of preparation and operation.
It is very important to approach the choice of clinic and doctor with full responsibility. Before performing a nipple plastic surgery, which is a paid service, it is important to sign an agreement that clearly defines possible risks and insurance. In general, such a document should comply with all legal standards.
Little conclusion
Inverted nipples, the photo of which does not cause any positive emotions, are not really such a common problem. It occurs in only 10% of women, and for most of them, only 30% actually shows surgery. Nevertheless, the appearance of such a problem can cause psychological discomfort. For this reason, the popularity and demand for plastic retracted nipples is growing. Although the main reason for anxiety and correction should be breastfeeding, which is impossible for a complex degree of pathology.
For the rest of women, it is feeding the baby that can make the nipple the way it should ideally be. To achieve this result, doctors recommend the use of breast pumps, silicone pads and massage. This approach will save you from surgical intervention, making the breast the way a woman wants.