Thanks
Hand Surgeon, Plastic Surgeon
Thank you for your question - this is a very common problem. Inverted nipples are not all the same. Some inverted nipples are always inverted and some can be encouraged to “pop out”. The degree to how inverted your nipple helps to determine whether you can be treated by non-surgical methods, or whether you are likely to need to consider surgery.
It's useful that you've mentioned that your nipple has always been inverted, because new nipple inversion can be a sign of breast disease and should prompt you to see your general practitioner promptly to get checked out and have tests.
In many instances inverted nipples can be treated with a simple discrete suction device that is sold in pharmacies and online. If this treatment is not successful for your left nipple it is possible to have plastic surgery to correct your nipple, but it is important to take breastfeeding into consideration - if the ducts to the nipple become scarred as a result of the surgery this may limit your future ability to breast feed. That said, inverted nipples can also pose challenges in breast feeding.
More information on nipple inversion correction including images and videos is available at my website.
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