Contents:
- Medical Video: Breast Lumps – Causes, Types and Treatment
- What is Montgomery tubercle?
- What are the causes of Montgomery tubercles?
- Lumps in the breast that need special care
- What should be done with Montomery tubercle lumps?
Medical Video: Breast Lumps – Causes, Types and Treatment
Pregnancy will change many things in your body, including your breasts. Apart from getting bigger, you might get your nipples more sensitive than usual. Other changes are related to the glands around the breast area, precisely on the areola. This change is the appearance of a lump in the breast during pregnancy and lactation. Relax, the condition known as Montgomery tubercles is quite normal, really.
What is Montgomery tubercle?
The Montgomery tuber is a small lump on the nipple and areola (the area around the nipple is dark). This naturally occurs during pregnancy and lactation. The Montgomery Gland is responsible for removing oil glands (sebaceous) that help lubricate aerola and nipples during pregnancy and lactation. Because of this, this gland will enlarge and prepare the mother for breastfeeding.
The number of lumps in each person is different. Some may only have a few, while others may have more. Pregnant women may have between 2-28 lumps on each nipple, or more.
Lumps in the breast sometimes become more prominent when the nipples get stimulation or during pregnancy and lactation. Lumps and areola can become darker and bigger. Research has found between 30-50 percent of pregnant women experience Montgomery tubercles.
The lump in this breast will disappear by itself. However, if the lump looks inflamed or painful, it may be infected or is being blocked. Check with your doctor immediately to get the right treatment.
You can recognize Montgomery's tubercles by looking for lumps in the small breast that arise around the areola. However, this small lump can also appear on the nipple. Lumps usually look like a jug.
What are the causes of Montgomery tubercles?
Hormonal changes often cause Montgomery's tubercles to enlarge around the nipple, especially during pregnancy, around puberty, and during menstruation.
Changing breasts is often an early symptom of pregnancy. So, the Montgomery tubercle around the nipple may be one of the first symptoms of pregnancy. If you see this lump and have other symptoms of pregnancy, you should take a home pregnancy test. If it's positive, your doctor can confirm your pregnancy.
Then in pregnancy, you may see an increase in lumps on your nipples as the body prepares to breastfeed. Your nipples can become darker and bigger when your pregnancy continues. This is completely normal and nothing to worry about.
Tuberkel Montgomery allows you to breastfeed smoothly and lubricate. This gland secretes an antibacterial oil, so it keeps the breasts from germs during breastfeeding. The secretion of these glands can make mother's milk (ASI) uncontaminated before being swallowed by the baby.
In addition, the scent released from this gland can be detected by the baby so that it helps direct the baby to the breast to attach when breastfeeding.
It is important for nursing mothers not to wash their nipples with soap. Also avoid disinfectants or other substances that can dry or damage the area around the nipples. Instead, rinse your breasts with water during a shower.
Other common causes include:
- Excessive stress.
- Unbalanced hormone levels.
- Breast cancer.
- Physical changes in the body, such as increase or decrease in body weight.
- Certain drugs.
- Nipple stimulation.
- Using tight clothes or bras.
Even so, not all pregnant women experience Montgomery's breast lumps or tubercles. So don't worry if you haven't seen a lump in the breast during pregnancy.
Lumps in the breast that need special care
Montgomery tuber or lumps in the breast can become blocked, inflamed or infected. If you experience some of the conditions below, contact your doctor immediately to get the right diagnosis and treatment.
- Breast lumps become painful redness or swelling around the nipple area.
- Other unusual breast changes.
- Having vaginal discharge and you are not breastfeeding.
- Experience itching and rashes in the breast.
- There is blood in a lump in the breast.
- Lumps filled with pus (abscess).
In rare cases, changes in appearance around the nipple area may be a symptom of breast cancer. Tell your doctor right away if you see other symptoms of breast cancer, including hard lumps in the breast, changes in the shape or size of the breast or nipple, enlarged lymph nodes in the armpit, uncontrolled weight loss, and discharge in the nipple.
What should be done with Montomery tubercle lumps?
Lumps in the breast due to Montgomery tubercles are usually normal and your breasts can still function properly. Lumps will usually shrink or disappear on their own after pregnancy and lactation.
If you are not pregnant or breastfeeding and want to get rid of this lump, your doctor may recommend surgery. This is a cosmetic surgery, and may be recommended if this breast lump causes pain or inflammation.
Do not remove the lump by squeezing it until it breaks. This will actually increase the risk of infection in your nipples. In addition, it will also cause worse pain and pain.
If you want to reduce the size of Montgomery lumps at home and you are not pregnant or breastfeeding, you can try the following home remedies:
- Press a towel that has been dipped in warm water to your nipple for about 20 minutes every night.
- Apply aloe gel, shea butter, or cocoa butter around your nipples.
- Drink plenty of water and reduce sugar intake.
- Eat healthy foods, and reduce sugar and salt to reduce the condition of obstruction in the gland that can increase the size of lumps in the breast.
You can also maintain the cleanliness and health of your breast area including the nipples and areola. Here are tips for keeping your nipples and areola clean and moist during pregnancy and lactation.
- Wash the breast with clean water, avoid soap and disinfectants that cause dry and irritated skin.
- Do not use astringents because they can interfere with oil production from the Montgomery glands.
- You can apply a few drops of milk (ASI) after feeding to the nipples and areola for additional moisture.
- If the nipple and areola skin is cracked or sore, use modified lanolin to speed healing. Be sure to clean it before breastfeeding your baby.
- You can usebreast shells which can help protect the nipple from pain when breastfeeding. Or nipple shields to protect the nipple during breastfeeding.
