When aroused or thermally stimulated, the nipple normally erects. In rare cases, however, the nipple is inverted inwards for genetic reasons. Doctors refer to this as inverted nipples.
You can find more information and selected nipple specialists here.
The shape of inverted nipples can vary. Genuine inverted nipples retract further when pressure is applied to the areola. Only slightly retracted or largely flat nipples do not count as true inverted nipples, which are very rare.
Breastfeeding is usually possible even with slightly retracted or flat nipples.
Inverted nipples before and after correction © Otto Placik / Wikimedia License: CC BY-SA 3.0
The reason for inverted nipples is always a genetically predisposed malformation.
In this case, the milk ducts that lead the milk from the mammary gland to the nipple are shorter than necessary.
Some women suffer from more or less pronounced inverted nipples. This can have negative effects on the psyche. Those affected feel that they deviate from the usual beauty standards.
According to the norm, erect nipples protrude clearly visible from the areola.
Depending on the extent of the inverted nipples, surgery is not necessary in all cases. Before deciding on surgery, you should first try conservative options for correcting inverted nipples.
In some cases, the affected nipples can be permanently straightened using various massage techniques and devices that create negative pressure on the nipples.
However, it is necessary to wear these devices regularly over a certain period of time. This contributes to the lasting success of the treatment.
Surgery can usually be performed under outpatient anesthesia. General anesthesia is not necessary for this surgical procedure.
There are two effective methods for inverted nipple surgery. Both surgical options take about an hour. However, the operation may take longer if the inverted nipples are particularly pronounced or if there are unexpected complications.
The patient can leave the clinic a few hours after the procedure. The prerequisite is that no complications have occurred.
A surgical correction of inverted nipples can be performed either with protection or by cutting the milk ducts.
With this method, the milk ducts are spared during the procedure. This allows the woman to breastfeed later.
The surgeon makes a small incision at the base of the nipple on the areola. He then lifts the nipple and areola tissue of the mammary gland and pulls it outwards. However, the tissue remains attached to the mammary gland.
The tissue is fixed with several sutures before a dressing is applied.
This surgical method involves cutting the milk ducts. It is suitable for particularly pronounced inverted nipples.
As with the first option, a small incision is made at the base of the nipple. The doctor then cuts the shortened milk ducts.
The result of this procedure is usually a very natural-looking nipple. The skin is closed again before the dressing is applied.
In most cases, surgical correction of inverted nipples is a cosmetic procedure. Statutory health insurance companies therefore do not cover the costs.
Patients can expect to pay between 900 and 2,000 euros . They depend on whether the procedure can be performed under local anesthesia or whether a general anesthetic is necessary.
The total cost also depends on whether only one breast or both breasts need to be treated.
However, if there are medical reasons for the correction, the health insurance company may contribute to the costs. A medical reason would be, for example, if the patient is unable to breastfeed her baby due to pronounced inverted nipples. In this case, however, the correction must ensure that the milk ducts remain functional.
Whether or not the costs are covered by health insurance is always a case-by-case decision. For this reason, the patient must submit various documents, such as certificates and examination results, before the procedure. The Medical Service of the Health Insurance Funds (MDK) then reviews these.
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