Are black nipples normal? What caused it?

What causes black nipples?

The nipple itself cannot change color, it is the areola which can change color. The areola is a dark area of skin around the nipple. There are several things that can darken your areola and nipples. Most of the contributing factors are changes in the body's hormones.

Puberty

Puberty can make the areola and nipples black because at this time the ovaries (ovaries) have started to produce the hormone estrogen. High levels of estrogen in the body will cause the breasts to grow and the nipples to lift. The areola will also be darker in color than before puberty.

Menstruation

Approaching and during menstruation, some women complain that their nipples are slightly darker than usual. Again, it is hormonal changes that are responsible for this. When the ovaries release eggs during ovulation, the levels of estrogen and progesterone in the body increase.

Take birth control pills

Birth control pills contain the hormone progestin, a synthetic version of estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones regulate the menstrual cycle so that pregnancy does not occur, and they work similarly to the natural hormones present in your body.

This can cause the area around the nipple to become darker, but this will go away once you stop taking birth control pills. In addition, birth control pills can also cause melasma, which is the appearance of brown or gray patches around the nipples.

Pregnancy

When the fetus grows in the uterus, the breasts start producing milk for the baby who will be born by adding more estrogen and progesterone. This increase in pregnancy hormones makes the breasts feel sore, swollen and more sensitive. The areola also became darker.

Black nipples during pregnancy are only temporary. After pregnancy and breastfeeding, your nipples will return to their normal color.

Breastfeeding

As with pregnancy, hormonal changes that aid in the production of breast milk are also likely to cause discoloration of your nipples.

In addition, according to scientists, black nipples can also help newborns find the mother's nipples for breastfeeding. Newborns don't have good eyesight yet, but most babies can tell the difference between dark and light.

The color of the nipples will return to their previous state over time, after the breastfeeding period is over.

Hair around the nipple

Some women may have fine hairs growing around their nipples. These fine hairs may be darker than some of the other hair on your body.

The growth of dark fine hair can make the nipples look darker, especially if the hair grows near the nipples.

Cancer

Paget's disease is a rare type of breast cancer that starts in the nipple area. Early symptoms of Paget's disease include black nipples, flattened nipples, peeling or crusty skin around the nipples, and itching and tingling around the nipples.

Generally, this disease can occur in everyone after puberty. However, it is more common in older adults. If you have any of these signs or symptoms, please consult a doctor immediately.

Diabetes

Black nipples can be a possible symptom of diabetes, as the body's response to insulin resistance. This skin discoloration is specifically called acanthosis nigricans, and often occurs in the skin folds around the armpits, groin, neck, and limbs. The areola may darken and form sores or plaques.

There is no specific treatment for these symptoms. However, keeping blood sugar levels normal can help your skin return to its normal color and texture.