Question about nipple inversion and correct terminology

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freakedout2
freakedout2 Member Posts: 9
edited December 2020 in Not Diagnosed But Worried

The other day when I met with my GYN I had a difficult time expressing one of the things that's making me think I have something sinister going on. I don't think I was able to say it in a way that actually got across what I was trying to say. Since I'll likely seek out a second opinion regardless of the outcome of my imaging tests, I was wondering if there was a better way I could explain myself.

Basically, my nipple retracts when I lie on my back with the breast upright (if I just lie back without holding it up, everything just kinda flops to the side). But it appears to sink into the breast more than be pulled. I have what seems like loose skin in the area (I've gained, lost, gained, lost etc a lot of weight over the years so there's a little bit of loose skin on my breasts), and if I pull that back to tighten the skin like it would be when the breast is hanging, it no longer appears sunken (just flat, but not much more than usual; it's always been on the flat side).

Standing up, bending forward and lifting my arm make no difference I can perceive (though it's difficult since the issue is mainly when it's soft, but it tends to harden with movement, thus making it hard to tell how it acts in its "resting" state), but squeezing the breast makes it appear to pull inward a bit.

I tried to explain this to my GYN and the poor guy just looked at me like I was speaking another language. (And I couldn't demonstrate because it was about 30 degrees in his office!) I did take a picture today in case I can't get it to repeat when I meet with either my GP or whoever I choose for a second opinion, but I'd like to be able to explain myself a little better.

I realize this is a weird question; I just hate not being able to communicate my concerns effectively and I've been Googling forever trying to figure out the words for what I'm experiencing. But all I get are "if you experience nipple inversion or retraction, speak to your doctor." Anyway, I figured I'd ask here, not otherwise knowing where to go. Apologies for yet another stupid question.

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  • MelissaDallas
    MelissaDallas Member Posts: 7,268
    edited December 2020

    Freakedout2, this question bears on what has already been being discussed in your other thread. You would get more pertinent answers if you copy and paste this question to your other thread, rather than starting a new thread

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  • NancyHB
    NancyHB Member Posts: 1,512
    edited December 2020

    While Melissa is right - sticking with your original thread keeps all the information in one place and easier to follow - I wanted to address your question here too for folks who may come later.

    As we age breasts change shape and structure. There comes a point for most of us when we lay down and our (natural, not reconstructed or implanted) breasts wind up in our armpits or off to the side. With the change in tissue structure, too, our nipples may sink in to the breast tissue or appear “inverted". My non-cancerous breast has been like this for the last couple of years, seemingly moreso since menopause and hormonal changes, too. Like you I've also gained, lost, and gained weight which I'm sure makes a difference. In short - what you're describing sounds, on the surface, like a reasonably normal part of aging breasts.

    There are plenty of benign reasons people have nipple inversion; some are inverted since birth, others can develop over time. The concern is when inversion is something new or different. True nipple inversion because of cancer or other concerning issues is constant, not just when laying down or moving in a particular way. It isn't a “sinking" nipple. Inverted nipples get pulled inward by swelling breast tissue or tethered because of a mass (cancerous or non-cancerous). In general inverted nipples won’t be “teased out” by cold temperatures or manipulation.

    What you’ve described with your nipple sounds normal - but It’s always good to have anything new and different for you checked out. Good luck

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  • freakedout2
    freakedout2 Member Posts: 9
    edited December 2020

    Apologies, I will copy and paste there and contact mods about deleting this post. Thank you for your input; hopefully that's what I'm dealing with here, or if it's a malignant change it's still very early in the process. I'm 37 but I had a hysterectomy (kept ovaries) three years ago so I have literally no idea what changes my body is or should be going through. Since I've had severe endometriosis and a giant atypical fibroid, I'm always concerned about anything estrogen can potentially do. I seem to have way more than a person should.

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