‘Pepperoni nipples’ explained as people question what to do if they have them
Topics: Health
Kya Buller
Featured Image Credit: Getty Stock Images
Topics: Health
The beauty of the human body is that it comes in all shapes and sizes - but societal expectations and unrealistic standards often leads people to overthink the way theirs looks.
A lot of us are familiar with the term 'burger nipples', which refers to large areolas that get (often derogatorily) compared to burgers.
As nipples are so unique to everyone, they can vary in size, shape and colour.
This can be due to race, pregnancy or just luck of the draw.
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Now that everybody has their heads around 'burger nipples' - which are perfectly normal - there's a new term on the scene.
'Pepperoni nipples' is the latest phenomenon making the rounds and leading many people to second guess the way their breasts look.
As is the case with the above, they are perfectly normal and unique to you and you should not feel any need to change them.
But in case you haven't heard of them, let's get into it.
Pepperoni nipples is a term given to nipples that are similar in size, shape and sometimes colour to pepperoni.
Ultimately, 'large' and circular areolas that may be redder in colour.
FYI - they are not indicative of any health issues, are nothing to be ashamed of - and it's safe to assume a lot of people actually prefer the way they look.
Dr Deborah Lee of Dr Fox Online Pharmacy, told Cosmopolitan UK: "The size, shape, and colour of the areola often change over your lifetime.
"In general, the areola tends to enlarge and darken in colour, with age.
"During pregnancy, levels of the melanocyte-secreting hormone become elevated, leading to hyperpigmentation of the skin, including the nipples."
Some people online have been reaching out on Reddit, questioning what to do about their 'pepperoni nipples'.
One person asked: "Are pepperoni nipples weird?"
One person responded: "No, they're not weird. They are normal anatomy. Particularly in people with big breasts. Bigger breasts usually equal bigger areolas."
Another person said: "Nipples come in all shapes and sizes. They’re never weird and always lovely."
A third added: "Its normal and its okay to have breast like that and your body is unique and beautiful."
According to Women's Health Interactive: "If you asked your doctor about your large areola size, they’d tell you that it’s completely normal and that you have nothing at all to be concerned about."
They add that it’s normal to 'suddenly develop larger nipples or bigger areolas due to hormonal fluctuations in the body that relate to the menstrual cycle, puberty, pregnancy, or lactation.'
Dr Lee added: "There is nothing to be ashamed of if your nipples look like this.
"All nipples look different."