The body of a pregnant woman changes greatly during the course of nine months. Many changes are very unusual and frightening. One of them is the appearance on the chest of the Montgomery hillocks. They are small growths around the nipple, in appearance resembling gooseflesh. These tubercles appear from the first days of pregnancy, and their greatest development is observed during lactation . It also happens that these formations do not disappear after its termination. This is normal, and should not frighten a woman. True, this happens rarely, because Montgomery's tubercles most often appear during pregnancy. Although in some women they become visible only after childbirth.
What are Montgomery's tubercles?
Outwardly they resemble goosebumps. Each woman manifests itself in different ways: there may be many or several of them, they are either barely visible, or high above the skin. Usually there are 6 to 12 of them on each breast.
Montgomery's tubercles develop in adolescence together with the mammary glands. But most often they are invisible until pregnancy. Doctors believe that their appearance indicates that the woman is ready for breastfeeding.
Scientists have not yet decided on the role of these formations. It is believed that these are special glands, not sweaty, not greasy, but highlighting a special secret. They were discovered in the 19th century by the gynecologist William Montgomery, and therefore they received this name. Many doctors believe that this is a modified breast, and they are involved in lactation . In addition, they perform several more functions.
What is the role of Montgomery's glands?
So, what can be said about the role of Montgomery's glands in the female body:
- They give off a natural lubricant, which protects the nipple and the adjacent part of the breast from drying out.
- The secret secreted by these glands has bactericidal properties. Therefore, experts on breastfeeding do not recommend that you often wash your chest with soap or use some kind of disinfectant. This can wash away the natural lubrication.
- Nodes of Montgomery give off a special smell that attracts the baby. Now scientists are trying to synthesize this substance, which would help in feeding preterm infants.
- Sometimes Montgomery's tubercles excrete milk or colostrum. Therefore, it is believed that these are rudimentary mammary glands. Their relationship with the effectiveness of breastfeeding has already been proven. The more women these bumps, the more milk.
Inflammation of the glands
Usually unusual nodules do not cause a woman any trouble. Many even do not notice them during pregnancy and breastfeeding. But it also happens that the glands become inflamed. Some one or several nodules grow in size, darken, can secrete fluid and hurt. What you can not do in any case is to squeeze them out or to warm them. So you can increase the inflammation.
Only a doctor can prescribe a treatment that will not harm either you or your child. Inflammation of Montgomery's nodules during pregnancy can be caused by a hormonal malfunction or infection. Often this happens also in adolescence. Usually treatment is required.
Removal of Montgomery's tubercles
It also happens that during the period of puberty or after the end of lactation these nodules do not disappear and remain very noticeable. This gives aesthetic discomfort to many women. Therefore, in recent years, operations have been carried out to remove the Montgomery hillocks. After that, small, hardly noticeable scars remain. But it should be borne in mind that these glands are of great importance in breastfeeding, so it is worthwhile to think carefully before removing them.