It is common for women to develop inverted nipples, the cause being slightly shortened or tight breast milk ducts. The inversion can occur in one nipple or both; the severity depends on whether the nipple remains permanently inverted or only at certain times. Permanent inversion is less likely to respond to non-surgical treatments.

Nipple inversion is mostly a cosmetic problem although it can cause problems with breast feeding. One way to try and solve this is by using a Niplette – a painless device that gently sucks out the inverted nipple. If this fails, then surgery may be required.

If nipple inversion occurs later in life it can very occasionally be caused by breast diseases including breast cancer and this should be checked.