Is having hairy nipples normal? Here’s everything you need to know

You might wonder if having hair on your breasts is normal. Don’t worry, you’re not the only woman to have wondered this or to have experienced it! It’s just that it never gets talked about loudly because talking about women’s nipple hair is taboo, leading to shame and embarrassment. 

There’s no reason to freak out about breast hair because an estimated 30% of the population of women have hairy nipples. Therefore, you’re not alone, girl! When we talk specifically about nipple hair, we aren’t talking about those wispy hairs around your breast but those dark and easily seen long hair.

So, what’s the deal with hair on the breast?

Our whole body is covered with hair follicles and the purpose of those hair follicles is to grow hair, but the growth differs from area to area. Therefore, having hair follicles in the areola (that pigmented circle around your nipple) is completely normal.

In most cases, nipple hair is normal, but in some cases, it may be an indication of an underlying medical condition. Here are some health concerns that could be causing nipple hair: 

1. Hormonal fluctuations

If you’ve noticed dark and long hair growth around the nipple area, then it can be due to hormonal changes. Hormonal changes can occur due to various reasons ranging from puberty and menstruation to pregnancy and menopause. These changes can trigger hair growth anywhere in your body, including your breast.

2. Overproduction of testosterone

Some women face hormonal imbalances which result in the overproduction of male hormones such as testosterone. Excessive testosterone can cause hair growth in certain places like nipples. When a woman’s body produces too much testosterone and not enough estrogen to balance it out, she may suffer from hairy nipples. 

3. PCOS

In certain cases, it can be a sign of something more serious going on with you. Excessive hair growth can be related to PCOS (polycystic ovary syndrome), which is caused by the imbalance of reproductive hormones. The symptoms of PCOS include irregular or no periods, excess facial and body hair growth (hirsutism), mood changes, mental health issues, ovarian cysts, and struggling to conceive. 

4. Certain medications

Taking certain kinds of medication such as danazol, anabolic steroids, glucocorticoid, cyclosporine, minoxidil, and phenytoin can trigger unusual hair growth around the nipple. 

5. Cushing’s syndrome

Another possible underlying condition is Cushing’s Syndrome, in which there is a high level of cortisol, a glucocorticosteroid hormone, for an extended period in the body. It is linked with excessive hair growth on the breast. Other symptoms can be high blood pressure, acne, weight gain, abnormal menstrual periods, and low libido.

So, having hairy nipples is absolutely normal but if it is accompanied by certain other symptoms, then it is best to speak with your doctor.