Human bodies differ one from the other in both form and function (not to a large extent). While it is common knowledge that women’s bodies grow hair too, not many people are aware that some women have hairs around their nipple. Although not harmful, there are several reasons why some women have hairy nipples.
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Hormonal reasons
There are different indicators of the female body undergoing hormonal changes such as puberty, pregnancy and menopause. Some women in their 20s and 30s may also experience some hormonal changes that may result in hair growth around the areola and a change in the colour of the hair on that part of the body, Medical News Today states. Another cause could be the overproduction of male hormones such as testosterone.
However, Dr Claudia Pastides, a general practitioner explains to Cosmopolitan magazine why this should not be considered as having masculine features:
Hair growth is complex and not solely down to testosterone. The female sex hormones also play a part and can lead to an increase in the amount of hair.
Other signs that your body may be overproducing male hormones include oily skin, acne, male pattern baldness and a stop in menstruation.
Some medication
Certain drugs could also trigger hair growth around the nipples. According to Healthline, medications such as testosterone, glucocorticosteroids, and certain other immunotherapy drugs may cause hairy nipples.
Polycystic ovary syndrome
This is a condition caused by an imbalance in reproductive hormones that affects the way the ovary works. According to Medical News Today, apart from excessive hair growth in unusual places such as the nipples, other side effects of this condition include
- infertility
- irregular menstrual periods
- ovarian cysts
According to Dr Pastides, although having hair on the nipple is hardly cause for alarm:
if you also have symptoms that are typical of PCOS (such as weight gain, oily skin/acne and irregular periods) - it is worth speaking to your GP about it.
Sources used:
Cosmopolitan: Is it normal to have hairy nipples?
Healthline: What Causes Hairy Nipples and How Can You Remove the Hair?
Medical News Today: What you should know about hairy nipples
