Some people are simply born with big areolas, while others have smaller ones. Neither is an indication of any health concern. Areolas can also change in size as you age, gain or lose weight, or experience hormonal changes during puberty, periods, pregnancy, or menopause.
What hormone causes nipple changes? Estrogens are responsible for nipple, areola, and breast changes.
Changes also occur in the nipple. The area surrounding the nipple (the areola) becomes smaller and may nearly disappear. The nipple may also turn in slightly. Lumps are common around the time of menopause.
“The areola will continue to enlarge and darken throughout pregnancy, usually reaching their largest size at the time of birth,” Zore explains. “If you choose to breastfeed, your areolas will likely remain bigger and darker during breastfeeding.”
Color Changes: During pregnancy or while breastfeeding, the areolas may go through significant changes in color and size. While this is normal, changes in color or size outside of pregnancy or breastfeeding may be a sign of other issues.
You may first notice darkening nipples during puberty. At this time, your ovaries have begun to make the hormone estrogen. This hormonal change leads to fat accumulation within your breast tissue. As your breasts grow, your nipples may become raised and the areolae may become darker in color.
There is no "normal" size for areolas; they vary from person to person. They can also change in appearance and size over your life, including during pregnancy, your period, and while you are taking certain medications.
The Procedure
Areola reduction surgery is a relatively simple day surgery procedure that can reduce the diameter of one or both of your areolas. The excess pigmented skin is simply cut away so that a smaller and more appropriately-shaped areola is left behind. The height of your nipples can also be reduced, if desired.
Answer: Areolar reduction
The only way to reduce the size and appearance of your areolas would be with surgery. At this time there is no non-invasive way to achieve this.
Some people have issues with their areolas (the skin surrounding the nipples.) This can happen with massive weight loss or gain, pregnancy, nursing, or just plain old genetics. The tissue can become stretched, lengthened, and discolored, or even bumpy and raised.
Areolas come in all different sizes and colors, mostly due to hereditary factors. Some women notice dark areolas or an increase in size with pregnancy and breastfeeding, but these features usually return to pre-pregnancy appearance after breastfeeding is complete. Skin changes and stretch marks.
If you're overweight, you may first be advised to lose weight. This may reduce the overall size and shape of your breasts, including the nipple area.
If you're uncomfortable with the size of your areolas, reduction is possible. Areola reduction surgery is a relatively simple procedure that can reduce the diameter of one or both of your areolas. It can be performed on its own, or together with a breast lift, a breast reduction, or breast augmentation.
So, what determines the size of someone's areola? "Genetics has the biggest role in both the size, appearance, and even color of the areola," Dr. White says. Areola size is something that you inherit from your parents, just like your breast and foot size, or your freckle pattern.
A person's breasts will change over time due to natural events that include puberty and pregnancy. The nipples themselves do not change color, but the circular area of skin that surrounds each nipple, which is known as the areola, may change. Most of the time, color changes in the areola are benign.
The main cause of darkened areolas and dark nipples are hormones. Progesterone and estrogen cause the body to produce more pigment. This is why many women see splotches and patches of darkened skin all over their bodies.
After breastfeeding has ended, the areola may return to a lighter shade, but it typically remains a darker color than it was before pregnancy.
This is perfectly normal and one of the many common changes that can affect your breasts over time. Changing hormone levels. Your hormones can have a lot to do with the darkening or lightening of your nipples and areolae. If you take oral contraceptives, one possible side effect is pale nipples.
So, what determines the size of someone's areola? "Genetics has the biggest role in both the size, appearance, and even color of the areola," Dr. White says. Areola size is something that you inherit from your parents, just like your breast and foot size, or your freckle pattern.
After you go through menopause, your nipples may become paler in color. During this time, levels of estrogen are falling.
In most cases, sore nipples are caused by hormonal changes from pregnancy or menstruation, allergies or friction from clothing. In rare cases, it can be a sign of a serious disease like breast cancer. Your healthcare provider should evaluate any pain that's accompanied by discharge or lumps as soon as possible.
You might notice that your nipples change as well. It's common for nipples to become smaller, and the area around them, called the areola, almost vanishes. Lumps. Older breasts may be more prone to lumps or bumps.
"During perimenopause and menopause, there are hormonal fluctuations and eventually a drop in hormones that may cause weight gain," said Dr. Wider. "As a result, some of the weight gain can occur in the breasts, resulting in enlarged breasts."
If you're uncomfortable with the size of your areolas, reduction is possible. Areola reduction surgery is a relatively simple procedure that can reduce the diameter of one or both of your areolas. It can be performed on its own, or together with a breast lift, a breast reduction, or breast augmentation.
Are there non surgical ways to reduce areola size? I wanted to write a post regarding this question, as I am asked several time a month whether there are non surgical ways to reduce areola size. The honest answer is no, there aren't. The only way to reduce the size of your areola is with surgery.