Montgomery Glands in Pregnancy
Those small bumps on your areolas are Montgomery glands, and they become more prominent during pregnancy. If you've noticed them for the first time and wondered what they are, you're in good company — they're one of the lesser-talked-about but very normal changes your body makes in preparation for feeding your baby.
Table of Contents
- What Are Montgomery Glands?
- When They Appear in Pregnancy
- Are They a Sign of Pregnancy?
- When to Speak to a Midwife
- Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Montgomery Glands?
Montgomery glands — also called Montgomery tubercles — are small sebaceous (oil-producing) glands found on the areola, the darker skin surrounding the nipple. They're named after the Irish obstetrician William Fetherstone Montgomery, who described them in the 19th century.Their function is practical: they secrete a mild oily substance that helps to keep the nipple and areola moisturised, supple, and protected. This secretion also has a faint scent that research suggests may help a newborn recognise and locate the nipple for feeding. In other words, they're not a quirk — they're part of your body's preparation for breastfeeding.
Most people have between 10 and 15 of these glands on each areola, though the number varies. Outside of pregnancy and breastfeeding, they're often barely noticeable. During pregnancy, they can enlarge and become much more visible, appearing as small raised bumps or pimple-like spots around the nipple.
It's important to know they are not pimples and should not be squeezed or picked at. They don't require any treatment or special care — just gentle washing with water as part of your normal routine.
When They Appear in Pregnancy
Enlarged Montgomery glands are often one of the earliest physical signs of pregnancy. Some women notice them as early as four to six weeks, before a missed period has even been confirmed by a test. This early appearance is driven by rising pregnancy hormones, particularly oestrogen and progesterone, which trigger changes in breast tissue very quickly after conception.Throughout the first trimester your breasts continue to change — they may feel heavier, more tender, and the areola itself often darkens in colour. The Montgomery glands are part of this broader pattern of breast transformation. They tend to remain prominent throughout pregnancy and during breastfeeding, and typically become less noticeable again once breastfeeding ends and hormone levels return to baseline.
If you're pregnant and haven't noticed any change to your Montgomery glands, that's also normal. Not everyone notices them, and their visibility varies depending on skin tone, breast size, and individual anatomy.
Are They a Sign of Pregnancy?
Enlarged Montgomery glands can be an early indicator of pregnancy, but they're not a definitive sign on their own. The glands can become more visible at other times too — during certain phases of the menstrual cycle, if you're taking hormonal contraception, or simply as a normal variation from one person to the next.If you've noticed prominent Montgomery glands alongside other early pregnancy signs — a missed period, nausea, breast tenderness, or fatigue — it's worth taking a home pregnancy test to confirm. Home tests are reliable from the first day of a missed period.
When to Speak to a Midwife
Montgomery glands themselves are harmless and need no treatment. However, you should contact your midwife or GP if you notice:- A single lump in the breast or armpit that feels distinct from surrounding tissue
- Discharge from the nipple that isn't the clear or slightly sticky colostrum that can appear later in pregnancy
- Redness, swelling, or pain around the areola that suggests infection
- Any breast change that concerns you
These symptoms are rarely serious, but it's always right to get anything unfamiliar checked by a professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
### Are Montgomery glands a sign of pregnancy?They can be. Enlarged or newly prominent Montgomery glands are an early pregnancy sign for some women, often appearing within the first few weeks due to rising hormone levels. However, they can also become more visible during different points in the menstrual cycle or when using hormonal contraception, so they're not a reliable pregnancy indicator on their own. A pregnancy test is the most straightforward way to confirm.
Should I be worried about the bumps on my areolas?
No — if they are Montgomery glands, they're completely normal and require no treatment. They're a healthy part of your breast's anatomy and become more prominent during pregnancy as your body prepares for feeding. Avoid squeezing or picking at them. If you notice any other breast changes — a distinct lump, nipple discharge, or redness — mention these to your midwife or GP.
Do Montgomery glands go away after pregnancy?
They typically become less noticeable once pregnancy and breastfeeding are over and hormone levels settle. They don't disappear entirely — the glands themselves are a permanent part of your anatomy — but they usually become much less prominent when they're not hormonally stimulated.
Speak to your midwife or GP if you have any concerns about changes to your breasts during pregnancy.
Further reading:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice.
Related articles: