4 Ways to Get Rid of Inverted Nipples

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4 Ways to Get Rid of Inverted Nipples
4 Ways to Get Rid of Inverted Nipples

Video: 4 Ways to Get Rid of Inverted Nipples

Video: 4 Ways to Get Rid of Inverted Nipples
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Inverted nipples, which "enter" the chest, can occur in both men and women. There are several potential causes for the problem: some people are born this way, while others develop the inversion as a result of illness. If you didn't have the problem during childhood or puberty, talk to a doctor. Anyone who begins to develop inverted nipples after age 50 should be screened for breast cancer. The problem may be just a cosmetic concern or have more serious consequences such as difficulty breastfeeding. Luckily, there are several ways to reverse the reversal, including plastic surgery and manual stimulation.

Steps

Method 1 of 4: Deciding How to Act

Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 1
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 1

Step 1. Determine the inversion degree

Take off your shirt and look at yourself in a mirror. Hold the edge of the areola (the dark area of skin around the nipple) between your thumb and forefinger and apply pressure behind the nipple. Use a filmy but gentle touch. The nipple's response will help identify the level of inversion of the nipple.

  • Grade I inversion: The nipple easily elongates by applying light pressure to the areola. When pressure is released, the nipple maintains the projection rather than immediately retracting. Grade I inversion nipples will hardly intervene in breastfeeding, but they can still present cosmetic problems. There is little or no fibrosis (excess connective tissue).
  • Grade II inversion: The nipple does not elongate easily and retracts as soon as pressure is released. Grade II inversion is more likely to have complications in breastfeeding. There is the formation of a moderate level of fibrosis and a slight retraction of the lactiferous ducts.
  • Grade III inversion: the nipple is retracted and does not respond to manipulation, making it impossible to expose it manually. This is the most serious form of inversion, showing a significant level of fibrosis and retraction of the lactiferous ducts. Some people also have infections and breast lesions, and breastfeeding is impossible.
  • Check both nipples, as the inversion can affect only one of them.
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 2
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 2

Step 2. Try to identify the cause

If the problem arose in childhood or puberty, it is unlikely to indicate an underlying illness. If the change is recent, especially after the age of 50, the reversal may indicate an illness or an infection. Cancer and other serious conditions such as inflammation and infections can also cause the nipples to invert.

  • If you are over 50 and have a distorted, flattened or inversion nipple, get a breast cancer test done right away.
  • Women over the age of 50 are at risk of developing Paget's disease of the breast.
  • Symptoms of breast cancer include: pink discharge, crusting, thickening and flaking of the skin on the nipple and areola.
  • Consult a physician if you experience white, green, or black discharge from your nipples. Tenderness, redness and thickening of the nipples can also signal breast duct ectasia.
  • Ectasia of the mammary ducts is more common in women in the perimenopausal period.
  • Fever and the presence of a painful lump with pus indicate an infection known as a subaerolar breast abscess.
  • Most nipple infections occur during lactation, but subaerolar breast abscess also arises outside the lactation period.
  • If the nipples were pierced before inversion, have a doctor try to check for a subaerolar breast abscess.
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 3
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 3

Step 3. Define a treatment

The method to be used depends on the degree of inversion, the cause and whether you plan to breastfeed or not. If you show signs of cancer, infection or ectasia, consult a doctor.

  • Manual methods are likely to help free the fibrous tissue from a grade I inversion, allowing the nipple to protrude easily.
  • It is a good idea to see a doctor in cases of grade II or III inversion. Non-invasive methods can be good for some situations while plastic surgery may be the best option for some cases.
  • If you are pregnant or nursing, contact a physician or lactation consultant.

Method 2 of 4: Trying Manual Methods

Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 4
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 4

Step 1. Try the Hoffman exercises

Place your thumbs on opposite sides at the base of the nipple. Gently spread them apart and make a circular motion.

  • Start with two reps a day and gradually build up to five reps.
  • The exercise aims to break the adhesion that keeps the nipple inverted.
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 5
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 5

Step 2. Use manual or oral stimulation during sex

Massaging, pulling, and sucking the nipple can help it to retract. Don't force anything to the point of pain; make firm but gentle grips.

Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 6
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 6

Step 3. Pass your nipple between your thumb and index finger several times a day

Gently pinch your nipple when it is erect to encourage you to maintain the position. After a while, moisten a towel with cold water and apply it to your nipples to stimulate them even more.

Method 3 of 4: Trying Products to Reverse Reversal

Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 7
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 7

Step 1. Test the disc nipple correctors

These products can be found on the internet or in stores specializing in maternity products. These are soft discs with a small hole in the middle that protrudes the nipple.

  • Fit the breast into the concealer and pass the nipple through the small hole.
  • Use the concealer under your shirt and bra. Maybe you need an extra layer of clothing to hide it properly.
  • Use the corrector about half an hour before breastfeeding to facilitate the process with an inverted nipple.
  • The corrector applies gentle pressure to the nipple, encouraging it to remain erect. It can be used by both men and women.
  • The corrector can stimulate lactation in breastfeeding women. If you are breastfeeding, do not use it continuously. If you choose to use the corrector while breastfeeding, wash it with hot soapy water to remove milk residue.
  • Monitor the area around the breast when using the corrector, as the product can cause sores.
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 8
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 8

Step 2. Use a breast pump

Pregnant or nursing women can use a pump to reverse the inversion of nipple tissue.

  • Place the pump nozzle over the breast, centering the nipple in the hole. Nozzles come in a variety of sizes; look for one that completely covers the nipple.
  • Hold the nipple against the breast to create a seal against the skin.
  • Follow the nipple or bottle with one hand and turn on the pump.
  • Use maximum comfortable pump force.
  • Hold the bottles against your body with one arm and turn off the pump with your free arm.
  • If you are breastfeeding, only breastfeed the baby when the nipple is erect.
  • Do not pump the breasts extensively if you are nursing your child, as pumping will promote the flow of milk to the nipples.
  • There are different types of pumps available on the market. Quality, electric pumps, like those used in maternity wards, are great for pulling the nipple without hurting the surrounding tissue.
  • Pump may vary by manufacturer. Talk to a nurse or lactation consultant to find the best way to use your pump.
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 9
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 9

Step 3. Use a syringe

Pull the nipple with a clean 10 ml syringe (size may vary depending on nipple size) without a needle.

  • Use clean, sharp scissors to cut the syringe to the "0 ml" measurement (the opposite side of the plunger).
  • Remove the plunger and place it on the end you just cut, pushing it all the way in.
  • Place the blunt end of the syringe over the nipple and pull the plunger to make the nipple pop out.
  • Do not pull more than is comfortable.
  • Before removing the syringe, push the plunger lightly to break the suction.
  • When finished, disassemble the parts and wash them with hot soapy water.
  • If you prefer, there are devices that perform the same function with a modified syringe and a bottle nipple. The principle is the same.
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 10
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 10

Step 4. Try out the nipple correction devices

These devices stretch the lactiferous ducts by pulling the nipple for a certain period. The clear, plastic device is placed over the nipple under clothing.

  • Apply a small amount of nipple ointment to the region and base of the device.
  • Insert the syringe into the valve opening, pressing firmly.
  • Place the corrector over the nipple with one hand and pull the syringe with the other to create suction. Don't pull too hard - the process shouldn't be painful.
  • After pulling the nipple, release the corrector.
  • Hold the valve firmly and carefully remove the syringe. Avoid air intake as this may cause the device to fall.
  • Use the appliance under clothing. If you are wearing tight clothing, it is possible to disguise it with the product's own protective cover.
  • Remove the corrector by pushing the syringe against the valve to break the vacuum.
  • Use the product one hour a day at first. Increase the period by one hour a day until you can use it for eight hours a day.
  • Do not use the product all the time!
  • Results should come within three weeks, with the nipple filling the mold.

Step 5. Use flexible cups

Several manufacturers produce flexible cups for correcting flat and inverted nipples. The process is clinically proven and has permanent correction in a few weeks.

  • Center the cup over the nipple and press the base of the nipple as you push it. You will create a slight vacuum, which will draw your nipple into the cup.
  • To improve the seal, apply a moisturizing breast cream to the nipple and inside the cup. If the procedure does not work, try a different size cup.
  • Start using the cups for 15 minutes on the first day. If you don't feel pain or discomfort, increase the time each day until it reaches four hours a day at the end of the first week.
  • Some women are able to use the cups under their bra without removing the device or experiencing discomfort. You can combine the cups with disc nipple correctors to avoid uncomfortable pressure or cup malfunction.

Method 4 of 4: Seeking Medical Treatment

Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 11
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 11

Step 1. Talk to a doctor or plastic surgeon about corrective surgery

Although the ideal is to correct the problem manually, surgery is a good option for some cases. New methods can perform the procedure without harming the lactiferous ducts, enabling breastfeeding after surgery. Your doctor can help you decide the best option for you.

  • It is a procedure with local anesthesia without hospitalization. You will return home the same day and will likely be able to go back to work the next day as this is a minimally invasive procedure.
  • Discuss the surgery with the practitioner. Find out about all procedures and expected results.
  • At this point, the surgeon will review the medical history and analyze the underlying cause of the problem.
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 12
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 12

Step 2. Follow pre- and post-operative instructions carefully

Your doctor should give you instructions on how to prepare for surgery and what to do after it.

It is likely that you will need to bandage your nipple after the operation. Change dressings as instructed by the surgeon

Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 13
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 13

Step 3. Inform the doctor of any questions and concerns after the procedure

Recovery should be relatively painless; if you experience swelling, discomfort, or pain, contact your provider immediately.

Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 14
Get Rid of Inverted Nipples Step 14

Step 4. Schedule a post-operative appointment

The professional must evaluate the recovery and success of the procedure. Find out how long you should wait for the return.

Tips

  • Some disc nipple correctors have two hole sizes: the larger one is for protecting sensitive and painful nipples while the smaller ones are for inverted nipples.
  • Schedule an appointment with a physician, obstetrician, gynecologist or lactation consultant.

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