Nipple Piercing

The Basics

What is Nipple Piercing?

A nipple piercing is a type of body piercing, centered usually at the base of the nipple.

Brand names for Nipple Piercing

Na

How Nipple Piercing is classified

Body Modification, Non-Therapeutic

Nipple Piercing During Pregnancy

Nipple Piercing pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Nipple Piercing while pregnant

N/A

Taking Nipple Piercing While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Nipple Piercing?

Although controlled studies have not been performed, piercing of the nipples seems to not interfere with lactation in most cases,[1][2] although poor latching, and milk leakage from the infant’s mouth have been reported.[3] Some breast jewelry may pierce the areola as well as the nipple. Reversible hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea occurred in two individuals who developed infections of the nipple and mastitis. Infections are estimated to occur after 10% to 20% of nipple piercings. Healing time after nipple piercing is 6 to 12 months, and up to a year longer if infection or trauma occur. Occasionally, mastitis occurs after piercing.[4] A theoretical concern is aspiration of the nipple jewelry by the nursing infant and injury of the infant’s mouth and gums. Although these complications apparently have not been reported, nipple jewelry should be removed before nursing,[3][5][6] and preferably during the entire duration of breastfeeding.[7]

Maternal / infant drug levels

Although controlled studies have not been performed, piercing of the nipples seems to not interfere with lactation in most cases,[1][2] although poor latching, and milk leakage from the infant’s mouth have been reported.[3] Some breast jewelry may pierce the areola as well as the nipple. Reversible hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea occurred in two individuals who developed infections of the nipple and mastitis. Infections are estimated to occur after 10% to 20% of nipple piercings. Healing time after nipple piercing is 6 to 12 months, and up to a year longer if infection or trauma occur. Occasionally, mastitis occurs after piercing.[4] A theoretical concern is aspiration of the nipple jewelry by the nursing infant and injury of the infant’s mouth and gums. Although these complications apparently have not been reported, nipple jewelry should be removed before nursing,[3][5][6] and preferably during the entire duration of breastfeeding.[7]

Possible effects of Nipple Piercing on milk supply

Nipple piercing has caused mastitis in nursing and nonnursing women and at least one man.[3][6][8][9] In some of these patients, hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea resulted. After removal of the jewelry and treatment of mastitis, hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea subsided.[8][9] However, in a study of 11 individuals who had pierced nipples for an average of 4 years (range 2.5 to 12 years) without mastitis, serum prolactin values were in the normal range.[10] Nipple piercing has also been associated with decreased lactation in nursing mothers caused by duct obstruction[1] and milk leakage through the piercing tract.[3]

Possible alternatives to Nipple Piercing

None listed