Understanding Montgomery Glands: What Are Those Bumps on Your Areolas?

Your Montgomery glands—also known as Montgomery tubercles or areolar glands—are small, but they’re important, and they play a role in pregnancy and breastfeeding. 1

Read on for a look at what exactly they are, how they benefit you and your baby, and what issues (like clogs) they can sometimes develop.

Montgomery glands are sebaceous (oil-producing) glands. As mentioned, you’ll find them embedded in your areolas. They were first described by William Fetherstone Montgomery, an Irish obstetrician, in the 19th century. 2

While these glands are always present, they’re most noticeable during pregnancy due to the hormonal changes your body will undergo.

What do Montgomery glands look like?

Montgomery glands typically appear as small, raised bumps on your areolas, and they’re either white, yellow, or flesh-toned. They sometimes look like pimples, but aren’t painful or uncomfortable.

The number and appearance of Montgomery glands varies from person to person. Some women only have a few, while others have over 20 per breast.

When do Montgomery glands become more noticeable?

Sometimes, these glands become more prominent. This is usually caused by a hormonal spike of one type or another, which can, in turn, be caused by: 2

• Pregnancy: Montgomery glands may become more prominent in early pregnancy.
• Puberty: It’s no secret that people’s hormones surge during puberty. That can make the Montgomery glands more visible.
• Your menstrual cycle: You might notice these glands shortly before your period comes.
• Weight changes: If you gain or lose a lot of weight, that may also affect their appearance.
• Stress: Too much stress can impact your hormones (as well as your body’s other systems) to the point where your glands become more noticeable.
• Hormonal imbalances: Certain medical conditions, such as polycystic ovary syndrome, can also create hormone imbalances that make these glands “pop” more than usual.
• Medications: Lastly, some medications that affect your hormones can prompt glandular changes.

Although the appearance of these glands can be an early sign of pregnancy, noticing them doesn’t definitively prove that you’re pregnant, since they have so many other potential causes.

If you think you might be pregnant, just take a pregnancy test. If you can’t wait until you miss your period, you can see a doctor and get a blood test, which can detect pregnancy significantly earlier in your cycle.

When you breastfeed your baby, your Montgomery glands will help with: 4

• Lubrication: These glands produce an oily secretion that keeps your nipples and areolas moisturized and stops them from getting dry or cracked.
• pH balance: That same oily substance also helps maintain your nipples’ natural pH balance, which also keeps them healthy and protects them from getting irritated.
• Antibacterial properties: The secretions from your Montgomery glands contain antimicrobial compounds that protect both you and your baby from nasty infections.
• Scent guidance: The glands also produce a subtle scent that’s very similar to vernix caseosa (the waxy coating on newborn skin). Some research suggests that this guides babies to the nipple and encourages them to latch. 5

How your Montgomery glands boost your baby’s immune system

Montgomery glands also bolster your baby’s immune system. When your baby nurses, her saliva interacts with your Montgomery glands to help trigger your body to produce “customized” antibodies in your colostrum and breast milk.

These antibodies fight off pathogens your baby is exposed to. You’ll even develop antibodies against those same pathogens yourself. 5

Like many other glands, Montgomery glands can get clogged. The waxy substance inside them will build up if it isn’t released properly, which will make them swollen and inflamed.

Blockages are often ultimately caused by:

• Excessive use of creams or ointments
• Wearing tight, restrictive bras or fabrics that don’t allow your skin to breathe

Signs of clogged Montgomery glands

You’ll know you have clogged Montgomery glands if you have:

• Small, firm lumps under your skin
• Redness or swelling
• Mild tenderness

If you think you have a clogged gland, apply a warm compress and gently massage the area to dislodge the blockage. Avoid squeezing aggressively or picking at the bumps, which will only aggravate them more.

Ideally, you’ll prevent problems with your Montgomery glands from developing in the first place. Here’s how to keep them healthy:

• Leave them alone: No matter how tempting it is, don’t squeeze or pick at them. Doing so will increase the odds of them getting infected.

• Clean them gently: When you shower or bathe, wash your breasts with warm water and mild soap. Do this gently and avoid aggressively scrubbing your nipples.
• Avoid harsh products: Skip harsh cleansers and drying soaps that strip your nipples of their natural oils.
• Use creams sparingly: If you use nipple creams like lanolin, apply only a thin layer and wipe off any excess cream before you return to nursing or pumping (assuming you’re breastfeeding your baby).
• Wear breathable fabrics: Opt for cotton bras and loose-fitting clothing to promote airflow.

When to see a doctor

You should call your doctor if you notice persistent redness or swelling in your Montgomery glands or if you experience:

• Breast pain or tenderness
• Noticeable discharge (especially if it’s yellow or green)
• A fever

These symptoms, along with prominent lumps that get bigger or don’t fade within a few weeks, could be a sign of an infection. 6

Usually, pain or swelling in your glands just indicates you have a stubborn blockage. However, in rare cases, conditions like Paget’s disease of the breast, a type of cancer, can lead to changes in the areola. 7 Signs of this include:

• Persistent nipple inversion
• Bloody nipple discharge
• Firm, immobile lumps
• Unilateral skin dimpling
• An eczematous (eczema-like) rash on the breast that is unresponsive to treatment

None of this is worth worrying about on your own; just see a professional if there are any issues with your breasts that you think could be serious.

Once pregnancy and breastfeeding are in the rear-view mirror, the Montgomery glands usually shrink and become less noticeable. However, they might not completely return to their pre-pregnancy appearance.

These changes are perfectly normal and nothing to worry about. Still, if the appearance of your Montgomery glands bothers you, chat with your doctor about possible cosmetic treatments.

Can you get rid of Montgomery glands?

It’s possible to remove Montgomery glands through surgery, laser treatment, or electrodesiccation. Some people remove at least their most prominent glands as a cosmetic procedure.

However, considering how important they are, think twice before getting them removed. The truth is that pregnancy changes your body, and you can’t count on it to spring back completely. It’s ultimately up to you what you do with your body, but it’s often a healthier attitude to accept these changes rather than to spend a lot of money and risk compromising your health to fight them.

Montgomery glands are normal (and necessary) parts of your breasts. They keep your nipples lubricated and even strengthen your baby’s immune system.

If you think you have a clogged gland, follow the self-care steps outlined above, and don’t be shy about reaching out to your doctor if they don’t help.

Next time you examine your breasts, remember that those little bumps are working hard for you and your baby!