{"id":1188,"date":"2026-04-09T09:18:43","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T09:18:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/?p=1188"},"modified":"2026-04-09T09:18:43","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T09:18:43","slug":"breast-health-part-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/breast-health-part-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Breast Health Part 2"},"content":{"rendered":"

What breast changes should I expect getting older? <\/strong>
\nThe aging process also affects the tissue and fat of the breasts. The hormonal changes of menopause, including the loss of estrogen, makes the breast glandular tissue smaller, less dense and fattier. These changes also cause the breast tissue to become saggier. The majority of women notice their breast tissue decreasing during menopause. It\u2019s not typical for breast tissue to grow larger during menopause but 1 in 5 women do go up one bra size after menopause. <\/p>\n

When should someone see a doctor about breast changes? <\/strong>
\nBreast tissue can be intimidating in the beginning but once you are familiar with your own breast tissue and all its normal lumps and bumps, you will be able to find abnormal changes if they occur. The best time to check your breasts is during the first week of your period when the hormonal effects on breast tissue have subsided.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s important to know your own breast tissue. You could be the first person to detect something that is not your normal. Pay attention to your own breast tissue detecting changes that are new. Skin changes, nipple discharge and new lumps and bumps are important to identify.<\/p>\n

When you find a new breast lump you need to take into account where you are in your menstrual cycle since hormonal changes can affect the breast tissue. It\u2019s always best to check your breasts immediately following your period, Day 4 through 8 are ideal. This time of the month is where your breasts will have the least amount of hormonal influences and are less sensitive.<\/p>\n

If you feel a new lump that feels like a M & M-\u201cplain or peanut\u201d or new found \u201cgravel\u201d in the breast tissue this would be a reason to bring it to the attention of your health care provider. Some breast lumps are tender and some are non-tender to touch-both can be abnormal.<\/p>\n

Once you see your health care provider, a breast ultrasound may be performed to determine if there is a cause for concern.<\/p>\n

Is there such a thing as a normal nipple?<\/strong>
\nDuring different stages of life and hormonal surges, nipples change in size and appearance. Most nipples point away from the body, while others, known as \u201cinverted\u201d nipples point into the body. The belly button has a similar, \u201cinie\u201d v. \u201coutie\u201d variation. These women with inverted nipples rarely have their \u201cheadlights on\u201d which can be a good thing for many women. Nipple variations are more common. The same factors that affect breast size and shape also affect the appearance of the nipple. There is no such thing as \u201cnormal\u201d nipples.<\/p>\n

What causes my nipples to get sore and tender during my menstrual cycles? <\/strong>
\nDuring different stages of life and hormonal surges, nipples change in size and appearance. The breast tissue, areola and nipple increase in size during puberty, pregnancy and breast feeding as a result of the hormonal surge of estrogen.<\/p>\n

Swollen, enlarged, nodular and tender breasts and nipples are part of a woman\u2019s menstrual cycle and those suffering from PMS can have exaggerated breast symptoms, especially nipple sensitivity. Raising hormones, estrogen and progesterone, 1 to 2 weeks before your period, stimulate nipple tissue causing painful and sometimes, unbearable symptoms. Once you start your period, nipple sensitivity quickly disappears.
\nPuberty, PMS, pregnancy and menopause are times in women\u2019s lives where hormonal changes make nipples change in size, sensitivity and appearance. <\/p>\n

What\u2019s normal and what is not when it comes to nipple changes? <\/strong>
\nSymptoms of nipple problems include pain, swelling, redness, burning, itching or stinging. The pain can often radiate deep into the breast tissue. The skin of the nipple can appear shiny, scaly or flaky. Nipple discharge is also a cause for concern.<\/p>\n

Normally nipples will vary in size, sharp and appearance. Nipple inversion, hardening, and heightened sensitivity can vary from breast to breast but are considered to be normal.<\/p>\n

What can I do if I suffer from nipple soreness or pain? <\/strong>
\nDepending on the reason you are experiencing nipple soreness or pain, the first step is to find the reason for the discomfort. Anti-fungal and antibiotic medication, anti-inflammatory cream, cleaning the nipple with warm saline and antibacterial soap, a warm compress, good bra support, moisturizing cream, and cooling gel packs can all be used to relieve nipple soreness or pain. Ibuprofen and Tylenol are also helpful remedies.<\/p>\n

Frequent hand washing, clean (and soft) bras and skin sensitive laundry detergent, soaps and body lotions have to be used to help eliminate nipple problems.<\/p>\n

My nipples are hard all the time! My BF tells me my \u201clights are on\u201d all day long. Why is that happening? <\/strong>
\nHard nipples happen normally when the weather is cold. The extent your nipples are perky, with hairless quarter size areola and perfectly round, eraser size nipples depend of many variables and luck. This is completely normal. Different is normal. During different stages of life and hormonal surges, nipples change in size and appearance. Puberty, PMS, birth control pills, pregnancy, breastfeeding and menopause are times where hormonal changes make nipples change in size, sensitivity and appearance. These hormonal changes will always occur in both nipples.<\/p>\n

Other concerning nipple related medical conditions include a breast infection, breast feeding related infection (mastitis), benign breast papilloma\u2019s, Paget\u2019s disease and breast cancer. Fever, nipple tenderness, nipple discharge (sometimes bloody), breast rash and skin irregularities around the nipple will also occur if there is an abnormal medical condition happening.
\nIf your nipples normally point outward and one changes to being inverted or newly tender, this may represent something abnormal.
\nAny change in one of the nipples including red, swollen, or scaly skin or a nipple discharge is cause for concern. These changes don\u2019t necessarily represent a breast cancer but need to be brought to the attention of your health care provider.<\/p>\n

I run every day and I am noticing my nipples get irritated. Why is this happening and what can I do about it? <\/strong><\/p>\n

When exercising, it\u2019s so important to wear a sports bra for even more breast and nipple support. If you don\u2019t wear a sports bra and chose to wear your everyday bra during exercise, the delicate and sensitive breast tissue and nipples will bounce and move in such a way where pain and trauma can occur. If there is lack of proper long-term support, breast tissue with its fibrous ligaments and fatty tissue will stretch and become saggy. <\/p>\n

With highly sensitive nerves layering breast tissue, aggressive movements and activities disrupts and tears the tissue, creating painful symptoms. During exercise the tissue bounces and moves around putting excessive strain on the ligaments, nerves, nipples and tissues composing the breast.<\/p>\n

80% of women wear the wrong bra size. It is interesting to note in western cultures, 10-25% of women don\u2019t wear a bra at all. Poor support leads to tender breasts and nipples regardless of your size. The everyday bra tends to be form-fitting, prevents tenderness and sagging since it provides support to breast tissue including the nipples during typical daily activities. The majority of the breast tissue is unsupported. Wearing the correct bra size with adequate support will prevent breast tenderness and nipple pain.<\/p>\n

Getting properly fitted and selecting comfortable bra material by an expert at your local women\u2019s department store is the first step at improving nipple pain due to incorrect bra size or going braless.
\nAvoid lace and other irritating fabrics that may rub and irritate the nipples.
\nJogging and other forms of exercise cause nipples to chafe and become itchy. Creams, topical steroids, lanolin cream, extra virgin coconut oil, petroleum jelly and Aveeno baths help treat the dry skin and itchy feeling.<\/p>\n

Sometimes my nipples itch. Can I get an infection on my nipples?<\/strong>
\nNormally, nipples should not itch. Dry or damage skin on the nipple can cause them to itch. Eczema is a common and abnormal skin condition causing this delicate area to become dry, scaly, red and itchy.<\/p>\n

Symptoms of nipple thrush include pain, swelling, redness, burning, itching or stinging of the nipples. The pain can often radiate deep into the breast tissue. The skin of the nipple can appear shiny or flaky. Blisters can also be a symptom of nipple thrush.<\/p>\n

When I check my breasts, am I supposed to check my nipples too? <\/strong><\/p>\n

I believe it\u2019s important to know your body\u2026very well! During your first visit with the gynecologist, which should be around 18 years old, you should be shown how to do a self-breast exam. Breast tissue can be intimidating in the beginning but once you are familiar with your own breast tissue and all its normal lumps and bumps, you will be able to find abnormal changes if they occur. Checking the nipples for irregularities, rashes, skin changes along with nipple discharge-white, milky or bloody, is an important part of the breast exam. If your nipples normally point outward and one changes to being inverted or newly tender, this may represent something abnormal.
\nThe best time to check your breasts is during the first week of your period when the hormonal effects on breast tissue have subsided.<\/p>\n

I love my nipples played with during sex. Is that normal? <\/strong><\/p>\n

Nipples are one of the many erogenous zones on the body with heightened sensitivity and become hard which may cause sexual arousal. Not everyone has the same sensitivity when nipples are stimulated by gently touched or being kissed. Some women are able to have an orgasm through nipple stimulation alone. It\u2019s thought this heightened sensitivity and hardening is caused by the highly dense nerve innervation.<\/p>\n

As an aside, other common causes of nipple pain in both breasts are the birth control pill, heavy cigarette smoking, excessive caffeine drinking, fibrocystic breasts, pregnancy and diets high in saturated fats.<\/p>\n

What are some of the reasons I might experience breast discharge?<\/strong>
\nIn pregnancy, as the breasts prepare for breastfeeding, a discharge from both nipples is generally seen as early as the second trimester. This thick yellow nipple discharge is called colostrum and is completely normal during pregnancy.<\/p>\n

Nipple discharge can be a very normal occurrence for non-pregnant women. Galactorrhea is the medical term to describe a milky discharge by one of both breasts affecting 20-25% of women who are not pregnant. A clear fluid coming from the nipples can happen if they are excessively stimulated during intimacy and exercise. During sex and intimacy, regular nipple stimulation either by the fingers or the mouth can cause a nipple discharge. Tight tee-shirts or bras can rub the nipples also causing them to leak during exercise. Commonly used drugs, such as the birth control pills, thyroid and psychiatric medications, can cause a normal nipple discharge as well.<\/p>\n

Other causes of nipple discharge include breast infection, fibrocystic breasts, breast trauma, benign breast tumors, thyroid disease, illegal drugs including marijuana, and certain herbs, such as anise and fennel. More concerning causes of nipple discharge include pituitary gland tumors and a benign (noncancerous) breast growth called an intraductal papilloma and a rare form of breast cancer, called Paget\u2019s disease of the nipple.<\/p>\n

What does normal, healthy breast discharge look like?<\/strong>
\nIf you are not pregnant or breastfeeding and notice a clear nipple discharge this can be normal if you are taking certain medications, wearing a tight sports bra or having your nipples stimulated with intimacy.
\nWhen the discharge is seen in both breast and the color is clear, there is less to worry about.<\/p>\n

What does unhealthy breast discharge look like and what might cause this?<\/strong>
\nNipple discharge can appear red, yellow, green, white and clear in color. If you see a bloody nipple discharge in one or both breasts this is rarely normal. Also if you notice spontaneous nipple discharge without any stimulation such as touching or fondling the breasts this is also a cause of concern. Bloody nipple discharge and spontaneous nipple discharge are 2 circumstances that warrant seeing a health care provider. More concerning causes of abnormal breast discharge include a pituitary gland tumor or a benign breast tumor.<\/p>\n

How should I treat breast discharge? <\/strong>
\nRegardless of the color, it\u2019s always best to discuss any changes with your breasts with a health care provider.
\nOnce the cause of the nipple discharge is diagnosed, various treatment options are available to avoid this from continuing. If the cause of lactating is due to an extremely elevated prolactin level, medication can be given to bring down the high numbers. Bromocriptine is a medication used to lower the high levels of prolactin in your blood, which helps treat the symptom of lactation.<\/p>\n

Can breast discharge be prevented?<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s important to find out the cause of the nipple discharge in order to know how to prevent it. If the cause of nipple stimulation is as a result of touching with intimacy, then avoiding this behavior during sex would be the first step. If the cause is wearing a tight sports bra with vigorous exercise, then wearing a different, less restrictive bra, may be a better option. If an herbal medication is the culprit, then stopping that medication is an easy remedy. <\/p>\n

What medications cause breast discharge?<\/strong>
\nThe birth control pill is one of the medications classically known to cause a clear nipple discharge in both breasts. The pill is also known to cause breast tenderness and enlargement. This effect on the breast tissue is temporary and should not persist over time.<\/p>\n

well too. In severe cases, draining breast cyst or removing them surgical is necessary.<\/p>\n

How can I prevent Fibrocystic breast disease (FCD)?<\/strong>
\nThe cause of fibrocystic breasts is unknown. Over 50% of breast tissue is destined to have fibrocystic changes. Estrogen driven hormonal changes, oral contraception, caffeine and tobacco will make fibrocystic breast tissue more noticeable and symptomatic. Limiting the amount of caffeine, you drink and stopping cigarette smoking will quickly reduce the symptoms of breast pain and tenderness. Changing the brand of pill, you are taking or the type of contraception used is also a way to improve symptomatic fibrocystic disease.
\nWhy is it important to be aware of this condition and diagnose it?
\nIt\u2019s important to know common and hormonal stimulated changes in your breast tissue which can be a usual occurrence. Knowing your normal will help you differentiate what is not normal. Monthly periods can make FCD an expected symptom.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What breast changes should I expect getting older? The aging process also affects the tissue and fat of the breasts. The hormonal changes of menopause, including the loss of estrogen, makes the breast glandular tissue smaller, less dense and fattier. These changes also cause the breast tissue to become saggier. The majority of women notice […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1188","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-common-questions"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1188","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1188"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1188\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1189,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1188\/revisions\/1189"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1188"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1188"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/portfolio.zenkoders.com\/ai-powered\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1188"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}