Inverted nipples are common. In fact, 10 percent to 20 percent of people are born with nipples that turn inward. However, if you suddenly develop an inverted nipple later in life, it may mean that something is going on with your body, especially if it’s only on one side.

If this happens, talk to a healthcare provider right away. Many conditions that can cause an inverted nipple are harmless. However, a nipple that turns inward later in life can sometimes be a sign of breast cancer.

In this article, we’ll talk about what can cause inverted nipples and when you should talk to your doctor.

What Is an Inverted Nipple?

The nipple is the raised area in the center of your breast inside the darker circle of skin called the areola. Milk is released through the nipple. Most of the time, the nipple sticks out, or protrudes, from the breast.

What Does an Inverted Nipple Look Like?

When the nipple is inverted, the center part of the areola goes into the breast instead of poking out.

Nipples can also be flat — not sticking out from the breast or going into it. Some nipples stick out but point up, down, or to one side, which are all considered normal.

What Causes Inverted Nipples?

Inverted nipples can have several causes, many of which aren’t serious. They can be caused by:

• Congenital conditions (something that happened while you were developing as a fetus)
• Infections in the nipple and/or the milk ducts
• Pregnancy, especially if your breasts get larger
• Injuries to the breast, like from breastfeeding or surgery
• Engorgement, or breast swelling caused by a buildup of milk
• Changes in the breast related to your age, like sagging or changes to your milk ducts
• Noncancerous breast diseases
• Fast weight loss
• Damage to the fat in your breast tissue, including around your nipple

Even if one of these medical conditions describes you, it can set your mind at ease to see a doctor and find out for sure if it’s the cause of inverted nipples. Doctors can also help you treat conditions like infections, so it can be important to get medical help.

Finally, certain types of breast cancer can cause an inverted nipple.

Inverted Nipple and Cancer

If breast cancer starts in or spreads into a milk duct, or affects the skin of your nipple, it can cause an inverted nipple. There is also a rare type of cancer where your nipple skin is involved called Paget’s disease of the breast. This type of cancer can start out making the nipple skin look discolored, flaky, or scaly and feel itchy, like eczema. Less than 4 percent of breast cancers are Paget’s disease of the breast.

If you’ve been diagnosed with breast cancer before, an inverted nipple can be a sign that the cancer has returned. Breast cancer recurrence may come along with other symptoms, like swelling, a change in the texture of your breast skin, discoloration or a rash on your skin, or having part of your breast feel thickened or lumpy.

Injuries, including surgeries, can cause an inverted nipple. Breast surgery, such as a lumpectomy or a mastectomy to treat breast cancer, may cause changes in your nipple. One MyBCTeam member who had this happen explained, “Still having discomfort from surgery. The breast is very hard and the nipple has become inverted. It has become so sensitive and causes pain every time I move!”

Other Symptoms of Breast Cancer

If you have other signs of breast cancer along with an inverted nipple, it may be more likely that breast cancer is the explanation for the change in your body. Other symptoms of breast cancer to look for include:

• A lump you haven’t noticed before in your breast or your armpit
• Discharge from your nipple that isn’t milk and might include blood
• Irritated skin on your breast or dimpling of that skin (which makes it look like an orange peel)
• Discolored, flaky skin anywhere on your breast
• Having one part of your breast feel thicker or swollen when compared to the rest of the breast
• Changes to how your breast looks, including its size and shape
• Pain anywhere in your breast

If you notice these symptoms alongside an inverted nipple, get medical care right away. Your doctor can help you get the right testing and make informed decisions about your health.

If you have a history of breast cancer, a newly inverted nipple is enough reason to call your doctor. Health experts recommend getting medical advice anytime you have a symptom that’s new for you, that doesn’t have another clear cause, and that doesn’t go away. This includes inverted nipples.

Talking to Your Doctor About an Inverted Nipple

If you have a newly inverted nipple or feel self-conscious about it, talk to your doctor. The first thing your doctor is likely to do is to figure out what’s causing your inverted nipple.

Your doctor may examine your breasts, ask about skin changes or other symptoms, and order tests if needed. If they aren’t sure what’s going on with your breast, they may order a mammogram. They may also include tests like an ultrasound, a biopsy, or an MRI.

Regardless of the cause, your doctor may recommend treatment. Even if the inverted nipple is harmless, you may choose plastic surgery to change how it looks.

If you do get diagnosed with breast cancer, your doctor will help you through this journey. This includes helping you find specialists called oncologists, who work specifically with people with cancer. Your doctor can also help you choose the best treatment option for your body and your needs.

Join the Conversation

On MyBCTeam, people share their experiences with breast cancer, get advice, and find support from others who understand.

Have you ever had an inverted nipple? What was it like for you? Let others know in the comments below.