Pregnancy and childbirth bring their share of new things to pregnant women. It is therefore sometimes difficult to recognize one’s own body and to appropriate it. But that’s without counting on additional little-known surprises. This is how an American mother discovered a big surprise under her arm: a new nipple, the third, appeared as if nothing had happened.
Hide that breast… appeared during pregnancy!
This appearance, Mamiya, details it in a TikTok video. It was during her appointment with a lactation consultant that the young mother heard about this “extra” nipple, without really understanding what the expert was telling her.
“Did you know that cows or puppies have a nipple line? Well, humans have that too”the professional explains to him, before announcing: “And yes, you do have a third nipple under your armpit!”
At first surprised, the young mother then understands that she is talking about herself. Mamiya had noticed a thicker area under her armpit during her pregnancy, which she thought was just a fatty deposit. “It became a lot darker, like the nipples and areolas, during pregnancy, and I noticed the same change in my armpits”she says. She simply thought she had developed excess breast tissue, without imagining that it was actually an extra nipple.
A phenomenon often confused with a mole
For gynecologist Dr Odile Bagot, this type of discovery is in reality nothing exceptional. “This extra nipple, outside of pregnancy, is very often mistaken for a mole. It is a very small brown spot, slightly raised, which many women do not realize is an extra nipple,” she explains.
However, there is one clue to identify it: its position.
“It is generally recognized because it is vertically aligned with another nipple, along what is called the breast line.”specifies the specialist.
According to her, it does not appear suddenly after childbirth: “It didn’t appear by magic. It already existed, but was probably discreet, likened to a simple mole. During pregnancy, under the influence of hormones, it can enlarge and darken, just like breasts.
Can it produce milk?
The question often intrigues young mothers: can this third nipple function like a breast? In the majority of cases, the answer is no.
“Usually it’s just a supernumerary nipple, without a complete mammary gland behind it. There isn’t the whole rest of the breast with it.”reassures Dr Odile Bagot. True “double breasts” are extremely rare.
However, she qualifies: “There are sometimes axillary extensions of the breast, that is to say an extension of the breast tissue under the arm. But most often, the small growth observed under the armpit simply corresponds to an accessory nipple.”
A benign anomaly present from the embryo
Dr Gérald Kierzek, medical director of True Medical, sheds scientific light on this phenomenon. “A third “breast” or supernumerary nipple, called polythelia or polymastia, is formed very early, during embryonic development, between the 4th and 8th week of pregnancy.he explains.
At this time, breast ridges, also called milk lines, naturally extend from the armpits to the groin. Normally, they regress almost completely, leaving only the two breasts remaining. But sometimes a small glandular or nipple residue persists along this line.
“These structures can remain completely quiescent for years, then reveal themselves during pregnancy, when hormones (estrogens, progesterone, prolactin) stimulate their growth,” specifies the doctor. Result: hypertrophy, darker pigmentation, and very rarely a slight milk secretion in the second or third trimester.
Should we be worried about this surprising nipple?
In the vast majority of cases, there is no seriousness.
“It is a benign congenital anomaly, present in 1 to 6% of the population”underlines Dr Gérald Kierzek. It generally does not cause any major functional impact, except sometimes aesthetic discomfort, local sensitivity or, more rarely, a small ectopic lactation.
Concerning medical monitoring, no specific monitoring is necessary if the lesion is asymptomatic. If in doubt, a dermatologist or plastic surgeon can confirm the diagnosis, possibly using a clinical examination or ultrasound to avoid confusion with a lipoma or nevus. “A simple excision, under local anesthesia, can be proposed for aesthetic reasons.”
No excess risk of cancer
On the oncological risk, the experts also want to be reassuring. A third nipple does not increase the risk of breast cancer! “There is no excess risk of cancer compared to normal breasts”says Dr. Kierzek. Classic mammographic monitoring, adapted to age and personal risk factors, is therefore largely sufficient.
The only caution: as with any breast tissue, you should consult if a palpable nodule, ulceration or persistent discharge appears, in order to rule out a rare pathology.
The 3ème téton community is on the move!
Since Mamiya’s video has exceeded 6 million views, a sign that this type of testimony resonates well beyond the anecdote. Under her publication, thousands of mothers confided having experienced unexpected bodily transformations during pregnancy or after childbirth: unusual pigmentation, growths, changes in skin texture or changes in the chest. So many experiences that are still little discussed in the public space.
With humor, the young woman now evokes the “sisterhood of the 3rd nipple”, a form of community around these bodily realities that are often overlooked. But behind the light tone, its message contributes to a gradual lifting of a broader taboo: that of the female body after motherhood.
“There are so many things that we don’t talk about and that are little studied. Sharing our experiences honestly and transparently is what will help change mentalities” she said. A message which contributes, in its own way, to normalizing the metamorphoses of the female body and to encouraging a more peaceful acceptance of oneself after pregnancy.