Is it normal for my nipples to get darker during pregnancy? July 02, Save Pin FB More. Q: My nipples are getting darker now that I'm pregnant.
What's going on? Along with breast changes, women may also experience a range of side effects while taking birth control pills. These may fade as your body adjusts to the medication. When you become pregnant , your breasts go to work preparing to produce milk for your baby. Estrogen and progesterone help develop the milk duct system. The areolae darken and your breasts may become sore, swollen, or tender. Around the sixth month of your pregnancy, your breasts may begin to produce colostrum.
You may also develop melasma on your face, forearms, or neck. The darkness should fade over time after you deliver without treatment. Along with breast changes, a missed period is one of the earliest and most reliable signs women experience when they become pregnant.
Other symptoms may vary from woman to woman or pregnancy to pregnancy. If you suspect you may be pregnant, visit your doctor or take a home pregnancy test. If the test shows a positive pregnancy result , see your doctor. They can walk you through your options and discuss any concerns you may have. Whether or not you choose to breastfeed your baby, your areolae will likely be dark after you deliver.
As a result, dark areolae may help guide them to their food source — the nipples — for breast milk. Just as with other pigmentation issues during pregnancy, your nipples should return to normal over time.
You may experience a variety of breast changes with breastfeeding, especially as your milk comes in those first days and weeks. These sensations typically develop within the first three to five days after delivery. Many of these changes are normal and should ease with time. This may mean you have developed a blocked milk duct or a condition called mastitis that requires antibiotics to treat.
In more severe cases, you may need to visit your doctor to have a duct or breast abscess drained. However, as with all changes that occur during pregnancy, it is likely to be down to your hormones.
Hormones are responsible for helping the body grow and adapt to effectively prepare you for carrying and giving birth to your baby. During pregnancy, hormones appear to cause an increase in the production of melanin, the pigment which makes our hair, skin and eyes darker.
The areas which are most affected by this increase in melanin, are parts of the body where the pigment is already present in high quantities, such as the areolas. From an evolutionary perspective, some believe that the body causes an increase in melanin and the subsequent nipple darkening so that the baby will easily spot the nipple for breastfeeding even before their eyes are fully developed.
During pregnancy, some women find their body develops dark patches in other areas, often scars of freckles. Another key example of skin darkening during pregnancy is melasma which is otherwise known as the pregnancy mask. Another skin darkening condition caused by increased melanin is the linea negra. The linea negra is a dark vertical line that appears on your belly during pregnancy. Although they may seem alarming, these skin changes are common, perfectly normal and nothing to worry about.
If you're not pregnant and you notice your nipples appear darker, there are some other common causes to be aware of. During this process the nipples can undergo changes too, such as darkening. Those Montgomery tubercles are your friends! They help lubricate your nipples, which will be welcome when baby latches on to nurse.
Some people experience darkening nipples as a result of taking certain oral contraceptives or during menstruation. It never hurts to reach out to your doctor if you experience darkening nipples or any other troubling symptoms.
Because dark areolas may play a role in nursing, these changes often remain after giving birth, especially for women who choose to breastfeed. They may not be safe for use during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. Most of the time, having dark or black areolas is harmless, but there are some additional symptoms to be aware of; if you experience any of the following, consult your doctor:.
Pregnancy can cause the skin to stretch, creating irritation and nipple fissures. The questions and complaints are probably just getting started! It never hurts to ask questions or discuss concerns. She received her medical degree from Albany Medical College.
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