Uncover the true physiological function of women's areola

The skin of the areola has hair and glands. The glands include sweat glands, sebaceous glands and mammary glands. Its sebaceous glands, also known as areola glands, are some obvious small protrusions on the areola. They are large and superficial and are used to secrete oil and protect the delicate nipples and areola. The secretions protect the skin and lubricate the nipples and baby's lips.

Physiological changes

1. After a woman becomes pregnant, starting from the early stages of pregnancy, the color of her nipples and areolas will deepen, gradually changing from light red to dark brown. This change is mainly due to the increase in estrogen and progesterone in the body after pregnancy, and is a normal physiological change.

2. For some women (mostly between 30 and 45 years old), even when they are not pregnant, the color of their nipples and areolas gradually deepens from pink-brown to dark brown. A breast examination may not reveal any lesions, but this color change indicates that the woman has a "transient" increase in estrogen in her body. Perhaps after a period of time, due to self-regulation, the estrogen level returns to normal, and the color of the nipples and areola also returns to normal. This is still a normal physiological change.

Pathological changes

1. The color of the nipples and areolas deepens, accompanied by severe itching around the nipples and areolas. During breast examination, hyperplastic lesions or cystic hyperplastic lesions may be found in both or one breast. The darkening of the color of the nipple and areola indicates an increase in the level of estrogen in the body. It is consistent with the law of disease occurrence for the breast, which is a target organ.

2. The color of the nipple and areola simply deepens to dark brown or black brown. Even small nodules may be found around the areola glands, forming protrusions. At this time, there is no lesion when examining the breasts.

One should consider whether the patient has a more serious liver disease. This is because liver disease causes decreased liver function, and estrogen cannot be normally broken down in the liver, causing the nipples and areolas to darken in color, which is exactly the same as the "spider nevi" and "cinnabar palms" that appear in men with severe liver disease.

3. When a woman's ovaries suffer from certain benign tumors, the amount of estrogen secreted by the ovaries increases, which can cause the color of the nipples and areola to darken, and many small nodules may appear around the areola glands. Such patients should see a gynecologist as soon as possible to find out the cause and receive timely treatment.

In view of this, when examining the breasts, be sure to pay attention to changes in the color of the nipples and areolas. It is necessary to clarify whether the changes in the color of the nipples and areola are physiological or pathological, and make a clear diagnosis and active treatment based on the characteristics of the changes.

Therefore, women should frequently check whether there are changes in the shape of their breasts. You can stand in front of the mirror, put your hands on your hips and slowly rotate your body to the right and left to check whether your nipples and breasts are sunken, red, swollen, or have skin damage. Then support your hips with both palms and press down hard while rotating your body. This will make the outline of the breasts appear clear. If any abnormal changes are found, you need to compare it with the other side to check whether the breasts are symmetrical. If there is an asymmetry, you should go to the hospital for consultation immediately.