WARNING: The Embarrassing Bodies website contains images of an explicit medical nature and nudity in a medical context.

Embarrassing Bodies , 9:00pm Friday 12th March 2010 on Channel 4. Catch up for free »

Conditions

Inverted Nipples

Inverted nipple

We’re all proud owners of a pair of nipples, which vary in size and shape from person to person. Some people have nipples that are prominent enough to hang your coat on, while others have what medical professionals call “shy” nipples, which can be pulled inwards, but at other times protrude, in cold temperatures such as cold water, or as a result of massage or stimulation. However, true inverted nipples are usually present from birth and refuse to make an appearance, no matter how icy the weather or enthusiastic the massage. Men and women who have always been this way might feel self-conscious about their nipples (and women might be concerned about breastfeeding), but it isn’t usually anything to worry about. However, if you have a nipple that suddenly becomes inverted it’s important to get it checked out by your GP immediately, as it could be a sign of an underlying cancer.

If you’re suffering from any of the conditions featured on this site and want to apply for an onscreen consultation with one of the EB team then you can find more details here >>

Remember that you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

Comments and Questions

The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.

You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments & Questions are reviewed by moderators, but if you see anything on the site that worries you, please report it and one of our moderators will look at it as soon as possible.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.

Hi, I'm 19 YO Male. Both my nipples are inverted and usually are all the time. I was wondering if there was a temporary repeatable 'treatment' I could use. I do not want surgery. Thanks





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

The simple answer is to buy a nipple suction cup - from Avent. It's so simple to use and can bring your nipples out in a few days. Definitely don't go for surgery when there is something so easy and simple to use. I used it a few times a week, and my nipples stayed out for months.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I am 26 and have a child aged 5 ive always had inverted nipples and always been insecure about it, i have been to my GP a few tmes and asked if i could be referred to see someone and get them drawed out but i was rejected and my GP wsnt very helpful at a saying "There's nothing wrong with them thats what you was given"!Which i was very angry and upset about, so could you recommend where i could go to get it done privately an how much would it cost?? I am really feeling down about it now and determined to get it fixed! Thanksx





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

i am 14 and have inverted nipples i'm noit wrorried but curious about whether it is a life time condition.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I have had inverted nipples from birth and have heard they can be operated on as a correction rather than a cosmetic thing. It is something I find embaressing as I do use communal showers alot after sports and such things and it makes me feel less feminine. Is there something that can be done along the lines I mention and can you get it on the NHS?





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.


Please don't swear or be rude in your answers, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting answers. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

im 23 an suddenly my left nipple started to invert i went to the doctor for check an was told i have 3 cysts in each breast is this sumting i should worrie about my mother had cancer in her womb





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi I am 42yrs old and have always had inverted nipples but for the last few months ive had a really itchy left nipple and I also have a bruise on the outskirts of my nipple, I am pretty worried about this but don't want to bother the doctor if it is nothing to worry about





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

since birth i have had inverted nipples i am now 45 and would like to know if there is anything that i can do please contact me.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

Hi I am a male with inverted Nipples and have hated them for years, I never feel confident when on holiday and just want to walk around bare chested. The only time they come out is in the cold ,can anything be done to keep them out.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

I'm 25 and have recently had my first child only 9 weeks ago, whilst breast feeding I soon noticed that it was hard for my daughter to latch on to my right nipple as it was quite flat, so I would massage it first to make it more prominent. Since stopping breastfeeding & following use of a breast pump my right nipple is now inverted. I can normally manage to massage it back out but as quickly as it comes out it goes straight back in again! Cold weather/water & sexual stilmulation only make it worse- my doctor didn't seem concerned & didn't even bother to look at it but it's really starting to get me down now as it looks so unsightly & it's showing no signsof returning to how it used to be.any help or advise would be greatly appreciated!





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.


Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your comment.



Please don’t swear or be rude in your comments, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting comments. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines

It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





This will be published. Surnames, nicknames or usernames are not allowed


Your email address will be kept confidential and will NOT be published – it is only being collected here in case Channel 4 need to contact you in relation to your answer.



Please don't swear or be rude in your questions, as they will not be added to the site. Please do not use your full name when posting questions. If in doubt, refer to the community guidelines

By posting on this website you are agreeing to abide by our community guidelines


Important Notice

The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.


If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here


More Information

  1. Episode 1

    In Episodes - The first set of cases through the EI doors included cases of Piles…

  2. Doctor Responses: Breasts

    In Videos - Dr Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about breasts.

  3. Doctor Responses : Man Boobs

    In Videos - Dr Christian answers your most frequently asked questions about man…

  4. How To Check Your Breasts

    In Videos - Dr Harper's guide to how to self check your boobs for breast cancer.

  5. Consultation: Gynaecomastia

    In Videos - Dr Jessen treats a man who's rapid weight loss has left him with fo…

  6. Consultation: Breast Reconstruction

    In Videos - Dr Jessen treats a breasts cancer survivor who wants to receive an…

  7. Consultation: Breast Reduction

    In Videos - A patient comes to see Dr Harper with enormous 36JJ Breasts that ar…

  8. In Detail: Breast and Nipple Reconstruction

    In Videos - An in detail look at an operation to reconstruct a breast post-mast…

  9. Am I Normal?

    In Episodes - Episode 2 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies looks at conditions includ…

  10. How To Check Your Testicles

    In Videos - Dr Harper's guide to how to self-check your balls against testicula…

  11. Bodies Behaving Badly

    In Episodes - Episode 1 of Embarrassing Teenage Bodies examines conditions includ…

  12. How To Check Your Vulva

    In Videos - Dr Harper's guide to how to self-check your vulva against vulval ca…

  13. Breasts

    In Episodes - In this second of four specials, the Embarrassing Illnesses doctors…

  14. Vaginas

    In Episodes - The EI team roll into Norwich to setup a clinic in one of the count…

  15. Consultation: Asymmetrical Breasts

    In Videos - Dr Dawn Harper examines a patient with asymmetrical breasts


Be on the Show

Have you been inspired by the patients in the current series to seek help for your problem? Apply to be on the show here >