Uneven nipple height

[ErinKC]

I'm going through the wringer right now with anxiety so I'm sure I'm just hyperfocused, but this week I noticed that my left nipple is about a cm or so lower than my right. I've never noticed this before. My right breast is definitely a bit denser than the left - that's been for a while - and I've gained weight in the last year so perhaps that can affect it? But, I did see on a chart of breast cancer risk factors that lopsided nipples are one of the things to look for. On the other hand, I know asymmetrical breasts are extraordinarily common.

I have a doctors appointment next week so I'll certainly ask, but wanted to put this out there if any one has noticed it. I'm 39 and breastfed for years, so my breasts are super saggy - it's that the left one is sagging more/flatter than the other.

I'm so tired of anxiety. It's been a rough month.

[Pepperpot]

Hello

Ok so I went to the doctors the other month there, as one of my breasts is quite a bit larger than the other. It has been for a while, and I also had a lump in my armpit (which I couldn't feel but my GP said they felt it). Anyway, the breast specialist said that as we get older, it is common for our breasts to do this (I'm early 40s), and it is nothing to worry about, I forgot the reason she gave me but it was something along the lines losing density and weight change can affect it etc. Also, I was not aware lopsided nipples were an issue - it is more if the nipple itself changes shape etc x

[ErinKC]

Hello

Ok so I went to the doctors the other month there, as one of my breasts is quite a bit larger than the other. It has been for a while, and I also had a lump in my armpit (which I couldn't feel but my GP said they felt it). Anyway, the breast specialist said that as we get older, it is common for our breasts to do this (I'm early 40s), and it is nothing to worry about, I forgot the reason she gave me but it was something along the lines losing density and weight change can affect it etc. Also, I was not aware lopsided nipples were an issue - it is more if the nipple itself changes shape etc x

Thanks so much for the response! I'm 39, so definitely in the right time frame for changes. I did some more reading and it looks like the lopsided nipple thing is more to do with if there has been a noticeable change in size or shape that causes that. But, it seems like some alteration in size is normal so I'm just going to not let myself fret since I'll be able to confirm with my doctor soon. Thanks again for your reassuring words!

[Pepperpot]

No problem - I have been a couple of times for changes now. It's very scary, but you are definitely in the right time frame for changes. x

[Limeslime]

I’m 38 and I went through this exact worry about 2 years ago, funnily enough, with the exact proportions you’ve mentioned!
I first noticed it when I was wearing a tight pyjama cami top with no bra and I noticed when passing a mirror that my nipples were not parallel. Full freak out mode followed! I posted on here, and did lots of online research. In the end, I didn’t even visit my GP because I quickly learned that it’s completely normal. Two years have passed and they still look exactly the same. I’ve had a mammo and US in that time for a different reason and all was fine.
Being a female is so hard sometimes, our bodies go through so many changes, it’s hard to know wether to worry! But this change, this one is fine!
It’s like the dr told me…our boobs are sisters not twins, and no one is completely symmetrical!
A 1cm difference between nipples is the same as mine. One booby just sagged a lil sooner than the other! 🤪

[NoraB]

It’s like the dr told me…our boobs are sisters not twins, and no one is completely symmetrical!

Quite simply this. ^^^^^^

[ErinKC]

I’m 38 and I went through this exact worry about 2 years ago, funnily enough, with the exact proportions you’ve mentioned!
I first noticed it when I was wearing a tight pyjama cami top with no bra and I noticed when passing a mirror that my nipples were not parallel. Full freak out mode followed! I posted on here, and did lots of online research. In the end, I didn’t even visit my GP because I quickly learned that it’s completely normal. Two years have passed and they still look exactly the same. I’ve had a mammo and US in that time for a different reason and all was fine.
Being a female is so hard sometimes, our bodies go through so many changes, it’s hard to know wether to worry! But this change, this one is fine!
It’s like the dr told me…our boobs are sisters not twins, and no one is completely symmetrical!
A 1cm difference between nipples is the same as mine. One booby just sagged a lil sooner than the other! 🤪

Thank you so much for this response! I have been doing pretty well with the worry but it popped back up this morning! I didn't expect any more responses, but popped over just to check and yours has been so reassuring! My college roommate and my mother in law are both dealing with breast cancer right now, so it's just so top of mind!

The same thing happened to me - I walked into the bathroom first thing in the morning in PJs and there it was!

It's also hard for me because I've had a hysterectomy so I can't even rely on my cycle messing things up - I still have ovaries, so my body goes through the cycle, but I can't keep track of where I am with no period - though not complaining about no period!

[ErinKC]

I saw my doctor on Thursday and she did a very thorough breast exam. She did not feel anything of concern, but because I've noticed a change she recommended that I go for my mammogram at bit early (I'm 39 - so I'd be due when I turn 40 in April). I go between being calm and being really anxious! This will be my first mammogram. She also ordered an ultrasound because I have kind of fibrous breasts and that way I can get that right away instead of potentially having to go back. She didn't seem worried, but she's well acquainted with my anxiety and would never say anything to spin it out before I get a test.

I have never worried about breast cancer in all the years of my health anxiety! But, my mother in law just went through treatment and my college roommate had it and is doing poorly, so it's kind of all around me. I have no family history, but I've gained a lot of weight in the last few years and feel like I haven't been taking care of my body and I've been increasing my risk of all kinds of things as a result.

[Limeslime]

Wow, in the UK we don’t start getting mammograms til we’re over 50, and they say it’s because our breasts are too dense for them to be reliable enough before then! It’s crazy how different countries say different things! Either way though, you’re getting an ultrasound too so that covers all bases!
I know what you mean though, breast cancer is a huge worry of mine too despite having no family history…. over the past 4 years I have worried about every aspect of my breasts, from tilted nipples, rashes, lumps, dimples, uneven-ness. Truth is, look and you shall find! Isn’t aging fun!
. However, weight gain could also explain your worry about your uneven nipple height too, as one breast may be more fatty than the other (apparently this is quite common for the left breast to be slightly bigger anyway, something to do with the heart being on that side but I digress)
I’m sure you’ll be fine!

[ErinKC]

Thanks, Lime. Getting old is terrible with all these worries. That's so interesting that you don't do mammograms until 50! It makes sense with what I've read about density and the fact that breast cancer is much less common under 50.

I'm trying to think of all the reasons it's likely nothing bad:

I've gained weight.

I sleep on the side of the lower one and squash that boob every night, haha.

I had a hysterectomy last year for absolutely massive fibroids filling up my whole abdomen, so the whole structure of my body has changed since then.

I'm in an age group where breast changes are common.

I have no family history of breast cancer.

I breast fed for 3 years, which significantly reduces the risk of breast cancer.

There was nothing nefarious discovered in my manual breast exam - both breasts feel very similar to the touch.

They may have always been like this (or at least been like this for a long time) and I only just noticed it in a time of heightened anxiety.