Two major factors lead to discoloration of women’s nipples

　　female The normal color of nipples and areolas is light red or pinkish brown. If the color of nipples and areolas changes, it can indicate some physiological or pathological changes in the endocrine system of women.

　　There are two reasons for the color change of nipples and areola:

　　1. Physiological changes

　　1. After a woman becomes pregnant, the color of her nipples and areola can deepen from early pregnancy, gradually changing from light red to dark brown. This change is mainly due to the increase in estrogen and progesterone in the body after pregnancy, and is a normal physiological change.

　　2. In some women, when they are not pregnant, the color of their nipples and areolas gradually deepens, from pink-brown to dark brown. If a breast examination does not reveal any lesions, this color change indicates that the woman has a "transient" increase in estrogen in the body. Perhaps after a period of time, due to self-regulation, the estrogen level returns to normal, and the color of the nipples and areolas also returns to normal. This is still a normal physiological change.

　　2. Pathological changes

　　1. After the color of the nipples and areolas deepens, accompanied by extreme itching around both nipples and areolas, hyperplasia in both or unilateral breasts can be found during breast examination. sexually transmitted diseases degeneration or cystic hyperplasia. The darker color of the nipple and areola indicates an increase in estrogen levels in the body. As the target organ, breast lesions occur, which is in line with the law of disease.

　　2. The nipple and areola simply deepen in color and become dark brown or dark brown. Small nodules may even be found around the areola glands, forming protrusions. At this time, there are no lesions when checking the breasts. You should think about whether the patient has serious liver disease?

　　This is because liver disease causes liver function to decline, and estrogen cannot be decomposed normally in the liver, causing the nipples and areola to deepen in color. male The "spider nevus" and "cinnabar palm" that appear in patients with severe liver disease are exactly the same.

　　3. Due to certain benign tumors in female ovaries, the amount of estrogen secreted by the ovaries increases, which can cause the nipple and areola to deepen in color, and many small nodules can appear around the areola glands. Such patients should seek medical attention as soon as possible Gynecology , identify the cause and provide timely treatment.

　　In view of this, during breast examination, be sure to pay attention to changes in the color of the nipple and areola. It is necessary to clarify whether the changes in nipple and areola color are physiological or pathological, and make a clear diagnosis and active treatment based on the characteristics of the changes.

　　Further reading:

　　Interpreting female nipple abnormalities

　　1. What does nipple and areola itching mean?

　　Some patients may not find clear lumps in their breasts, but only itching and rash on the nipple and areola, which looks like eczema Similarly, in fact, this may also be caused by a special kind of cancer, namely Paget's disease, which is nipple eczema. breast cancer . So, don't overlook the small changes.

　　Of course, eczema-like changes in the nipple and areola are not necessarily cancer, and some of them are simple eczema. So, what kind of situations should cause special vigilance? Generally speaking, if eczema-like changes occur on the nipple and areola of one side and persist for a long time, eczema-like cancer is more likely.

　　Its main manifestations are initial itching or mild burning of the nipple, followed by nipple and areola swelling. skin Redness, mild erosion, often yellow-brown or gray scaly scabs attached to the surface. The skin in the lesion area is rough, thickened and hard, with clear boundaries from the surrounding area. In the future, the affected nipple may be sunken or eroded, or a hard mass may be palpable in the breast.

　　2. Is sunken nipples in women a disease?

　　Nipple retraction is a common problem among women. The most common causes of inverted nipples are as follows:

　　Clothes that are too tight: Especially for women during the breast development period, underwear that is too tight can easily lead to nipple retraction.

　　Improper use of bras: Bras that are too small, too tight, or used too early can cause nipple indentation.

　　Nipple indentation is also related to heredity. clinical Observing mothers and their mothers’ generation, and those whose grandmothers have a history of inverted nipples, the next generation is more likely to suffer from inverted nipples than normal people.

　　There are ways to correct and treat inverted nipples, but the key is prevention.

　　Nipple retraction should start in teenage years. All mothers, aunts and other direct relatives of women with inverted nipples should be targeted for prevention.

　　3. What’s the matter with nipple discharge?

　　Nipple discharge may just be a normal part of breast function. If that is the case, then the nipple discharge problem will be solved on its own. Avoid irritation to the nipples, such as checking for nipple leakage frequently. Because, irritation can actually perpetuate the leakage problem.

　　In addition to the normal physiological functions of the breasts, other causes of nipple leakage may also be:

　　Breast bloating: Breast bloating is one of the most common causes of nipple discharge.

　　Papilloma: Papilloma is a small, benign tumor that grows in the milk ducts.

　　Breast leakage: Nipple discharge related to breast leakage is usually a clear white liquid oozing out.

　　Injuries: The impact of the air bag in a car accident or the impact on the breast during sports can cause nipple discharge.

　　Cysts: Nipple discharge in lactating women is usually due to cysts.

　　Fibrocystic changes: Fibrocystic changes in the breasts cause the breasts to become enlarged and fragile, and may ooze clear yellow to light green fluid.

　　Breast cancer: The chance of breast cancer causing nipple discharge is very low, but nipple discharge may also indicate intraductal breast cancer or invasive breast cancer. If your discharge is bloody, spontaneous, and only occurs on one breast, you need to consult a doctor promptly.