Raynaud Phenomenon of the Nipple: An Under-Recognized Condition.

Abstract

Obstetricians often feel ill-equipped to address the symptom of breast pain in pregnant and postpartum patients. In the first case, a 40-year-old woman in the second trimester of pregnancy reported nipple discoloration and severe pain. She was treated with nifedipine, and her symptoms decreased quickly and markedly. In the second case, a 32-year-old woman presented for a routine postpartum visit. She described breast pain and sporadic purple discoloration of the nipples, a finding confirmed on examination. Conservative measures of maintaining warmth were recommended. Raynaud phenomenon of the nipple is an underdiagnosed condition affecting women in both the prenatal and postpartum periods. A careful history and physical must be obtained in women presenting with breast pain, because diagnosis and treatment allows breastfeeding continuation and mitigation of symptoms.