A question of nipples

[louise000]

I've been on hrt for nearly seven months. The Montgomery glands appeared around the edge of my areola very soon after starting estrogen and initially I went for ages with hard nipples (although this effect has now subsided a bit unless its cold thank goodness). Although my nipples are slightly larger and redder than the normal male nipple, my areolas have not really increased in diameter or got that much darker, however today I was sure I could detect a kind of yellowy hue. Please can someone tell me if this is normal at this stage?

[NicholeW.]

Areolas and nipples are various sizes due to genetics mostly, Louise. The 'stretch' required from the growth of the mammary glands are the reason for the areola sizes.

Yellow? I never recall yellowing around the edges of anywhere at all. Perhaps a check with your GP would be a good idea as yellowing is mostly associated with liver and kidney problems as far as I know. Although some poster may recall yellowing around her areolas that wasn't associated with the bad stuff.

I didn't experience anything like that.

All the best, and take very good care of yourself.

Nichole

[JodieBlonde]

If I remember anything of my secondary biology classes, the yellowing effect from liver or kidney problems is likely to show in the interstitial tissues first.

I Googled the "yellow nipples" and some other permutations of the same idea and got ZERO results..so I don't think you have a real problem..but ask your friendly doc first!

The tissues around the nipples are not the right "type" to show like other areas until you have a lot of other symptoms too.

These "other areas" are the whites of the eyes or if you are observant enough, the gums and the rectal tissues. Some people even develop a yellow tinge to their general complexion..and that MAY be just a case of low RBC (red blood cell count).

However: It is adviseable for natal women to be slightly anemic...as a protection to their heart if or when they have a heart attack.

The iron in the blood of a normally good/high RBC causes some muscular damage to the heart tissues. My first wife died of arterial sclerosis. I researched this a LOT!

Jaundice is a serious problem...but I believe (ask a doctor first to be sure) that you'd experience the "clay-colored stools" syndrome primarily with an encroaching liver problem.

See this list for some symptoms-conditions that start with clay colored problem:

    * Alcoholic hepatitis
    * Biliary cirrhosis
    * Cancer or benign tumors
    * Cysts
    * Gallstones
    * Medications
    * Sclerosing cholangitis
    * Strictures (narrowings)
    * Structural problems in the biliary system that are present from birth (congenital)
    * Viral hepatitis

By the time you have symptoms of the yellowing effect, it MAY be a little too far downstream.

Like I said..get thee to a physician. This isn't anything to fool around with (and a preposition is something to never end a sentence with.)

[Nero]

Hi Louise.

As a genetic female, I have small and practically transparent areoles. I also have small nipples.
This is normal. Like Nichole said, female breasts vary widely - from large dark areoles to the small and nearly invisible ones.
I also have pink coloring of the nipples and areoles while my mother has brown. Breasts can vary that much.

[louise000]

I checked later yesterday and again today and the slight yellowishness has completely gone - everything is now a nice dark pink shade. I will continue to monitor them and if there is any further sign that things are wrong I will see the doctor. Thanks all of you for your responses.
Louise

[DonnaC]

Hi Louise,

I went through everything your going through except for the yellowishness.  My nipples turned reddish/pink, were enlarged and were constantly erected.  There was little if any change in coloring to my areoles.  Good luck !

Hugs,
Donna

[Ms Bev]

Thank God there is variation in everything, including nipples.  If you seek the perfect nipple, the one opposing it on the same torso will not be perfect.  Mine.....geez....here we go again with tmi.......my areolas have expanded some, and changed to a delightful pale, delicate pink.
I say, let the hrt do its' thingie, and relax.
Just my two nipples........ummm nickles (only when I'm cold, otherwise, they're susan b anthony dollars LOL)


Crazy Bev

tmi, Bev....TMI!