Montgomery Glands

Montgomery glands are sebaceous glands in your areolas, the circles of darker skin around your nipples. Sebaceous glands release oils that lubricate and protect your skin. Montgomery glands help nourish and protect the skin of your areolas and nipples, especially during breastfeeding. That’s why they may become more visible when you’re pregnant or producing milk (lactating). You might notice tiny, raised bumps on your areolas.

Montgomery glands (also called areolar glands) are different from the mammary glands in your breasts. Mammary glands release milk. Montgomery glands release a clear, lubricating substance. They do this all the time, in both male and female breasts — not just when you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. But they do grow during pregnancy, and they play a special role during lactation and breastfeeding.

What do Montgomery glands do?

Montgomery glands release an oily substance that’s like a special type of sebum for your areolas and nipples. It’s a little different from the sebum that your other sebaceous glands in your skin release. It:

• Lubricates and protects the unique and delicate skin of your areolas and nipples: This is especially important when you’re breastfeeding. That’s because sucking and saliva can chafe your skin.
• Maintains the pH balance of your areolas and nipples: Keeping your pH acidic discourages bacteria and yeast from overgrowing. This is also especially important during breastfeeding.
• Helps your baby find your nipple and latch on for breastfeeding: Studies suggest the scent of the fluid acts as a natural signal that stimulates your baby’s feeding instincts.

Montgomery glands also connect to mammary glands, and they can release small amounts of milk. Some believe they might serve as backup mammary glands when you need more to feed your baby.

Where are they located?

You’ll find Montgomery glands (areolar glands) inside the darker skin around your nipples. They circle your nipples just under your skin, often at the base of hair follicles.

They release oil through tiny skin openings called tubercles. Your healthcare provider might refer to them as Montgomery tubercles, or sometimes, tubercles of Morgagni.

What do they look like?

The number, size and appearance of Montgomery glands vary widely from person to person. Some people have only a few that are barely noticeable. Others have many that are more visible. These differences are normal.

You might not see them all the time. But sometimes, Montgomery glands appear as little bumps on your areolas that look like goosebumps. You may notice them for the first time during pregnancy. In some people, they can be an early sign of pregnancy, since they start to grow in the first trimester. They’ll continue to grow during pregnancy and stay enlarged while you’re breastfeeding, and sometimes even afterward.

You may also see them when:

• Your nipples are erect (like when you’re cold)
• Estrogen rises during your period
• You take estrogen supplements for menopause

What disorders or conditions can affect my Montgomery glands?

Like other skin glands, Montgomery tubercles can get clogged or infected. A clogged tubercle might become swollen and firm, like a pimple. It often clears up on its own. But you can help it along by applying a warm cloth. Don’t squeeze it — this can cause infection. Your healthcare provider may recommend a topical antibiotic if needed to prevent infection. If your gland is sore and inflamed, see your provider.

Rarely, benign (noncancerous) growths or cysts can develop in Montgomery glands. This can happen if the ducts that drain the glands on the inside get clogged. Your healthcare provider may call this a retroareolar cyst, or cyst of Montgomery. It shows up as a swollen mass behind your areola, which may or may not be painful. Although these cysts are usually benign, they can become infected. Your provider will treat them with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory medicine if there’s an infection or inflammation.

What can I do to protect them?

Clogged Montgomery glands aren’t common. But you may be more at risk if you use heavy nipple balms on your nipples and areolas. Balms and creams can help soothe sore or cracked nipples during breastfeeding. If you use them, just make sure to wipe them off for a short time each day to let your skin breathe. If you use breast pads, changing them regularly can help prevent infections.