Summary of Use during Lactation

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] Nevertheless, piercing is a risk factor for low milk supply. 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]

Effects in Breastfed Infants

Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.

Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk

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 and milk leakage through the piercing tract.[1,3] A study that measured milk production in 460 women found that nipple piercing was a risk factor for low milk supply.[11]

References

1.

Garbin CP, Deacon JP, Rowan MK, et al. Association of nipple piercing with abnormal milk production and breastfeeding. JAMA 2009;301:2550–1. [PubMed: 19549971]

2.

Armstrong ML, Caliendo C, Roberts AE. Pregnancy, lactation and nipple piercings. AWHONN Lifelines 2006;10:212–7. [PubMed: 16792708]

3.

Holbrook J, Minocha J, Laumann A. Body piercing: complications and prevention of health risks. Am J Clin Dermatol 2012;13:1–17. [PubMed: 22175301]

4.

Lee B, Vangipuram R, Petersen E, et al. Complications associated with intimate body piercings. Dermatol Online J 2018;24:2. [PubMed: 30261561]

5.

Kluger N. Body art and pregnancy. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2010;153:3–7. [PubMed: 20557995]

6.

Martin J. Is nipple piercing compatible with breastfeeding? J Hum Lact 2004;20:319–21. [PubMed: 15296586]

7.

Roche-Paull R. Body modifications and breastfeeding: What you need to know. J Hum Lact 2015;31:552–3. [PubMed: 26185213]

8.

Modest GA, Fangman JJ. Nipple piercing and hyperprolactinemia. N Engl J Med 2002;347:1626–7. [PubMed: 12432057]

9.

Demirtas Y, Sariguney Y, Cukurluoglu O, et al. Nipple piercing: It is wiser to avoid in patients with hyperprolactinemia. Dermatol Surg 2004;30:1184. [PubMed: 15274719]

10.

Sun GE, Pantalone KM, Gupta M, et al. Is chronic nipple piercing associated with hyperprolactinemia? Pituitary 2013;16:351–3. [PubMed: 22965248]

11.

Jin X, Lai CT, Perrella SL, et al. Defining low milk supply: A data-driven diagnostic framework and risk factor analysis for breastfeeding women. Nutrients 2025;17:3524. [PMC free article: PMC12655712] [PubMed: 41305574]

Substance Name

Nipple Piercing

Drug Class

Breast Feeding

Lactation

Milk, Human

Body Modification, Non-Therapeutic