Everything You Need To Know About Nipples

Female nipples in particular come in a variety of shapes and sizes, and change with our bodies through breastfeeding, weight fluctuations, surgery, and everything else that we encounter in life.

If you’ve ever wondered about your nips – and most of us do at some point – here’s a breakdown of everything you need to know about nipples.

Why Do Men Have Nipples?

The function of nipples on females is pretty obvious; female mammals lactate during pregnancy, and nipples serve the biological function of feeding babies. But why do men have them? Well, you may have heard someone say, “We all start out female.”

This is an oversimplification, but there is some truth to it – all embryos start out with the capacity to become male or female. In the earliest stages of development, embryos of both sexes have structures that have the capability of developing either female or male reproductive organs (and occasionally a mix of both).

When the embryo is around seven weeks old, certain genes that determine the baby’s sex activate and result in the formation of specific reproductive organs. However, breasts and nipples form before the genes kick in, so even as a baby develops into a male, the cells around the chest that form breasts and nipples remain, which is why men have nipples. 

More People Have Multiple Nipples Than You Think

As with any other part of the body, abnormalities can arise during structural development. In fact, around 1 in 20 people have extra (supernumerary) nipples. Most of the time these nipples are not functional and are often mistaken as a small pigmented mole. 

Why Do Women Have Hair On Their Nipples?

While many women may have a few hairs, or a single hair on their nipple, some women develop long, coarse, or dark hair on their nipples for a variety of reasons. Most of the time, hair on your nipples isn’t a cause for concern (other than cosmetic ones).

However, sudden growth of hair on your nipples, or a large amount of hair in the nipple area could be due to hormonal imbalances such as the ones briefly detailed below. If you suspect that any of the underlying conditions could be the cause of your hairy nipples, you should consult with your doctor, who can order tests to confirm and possibly alleviate your condition.

Producing Too Many Male Hormones

The overproduction of male hormones like testosterone can result in hair growth along with symptoms like:

• Irregular or no menstrual periods
• Adult acne
• Male pattern baldness
• Increased skeletal muscle mass

Medication

Certain types of medications such as glucocorticosteroids, testosterone, and some immunotherapy drugs may cause hair to grow on your nipples.

Hormonal Fluctuations

Hormonal fluctuations are common, especially during menopause and pregnancy. However, sometimes shifts in our hormone levels can make nipple hair to become more noticeable or suddenly pop up.

Cushing’s Syndrome

Cushing’s syndrome is caused by an excess of cortisol in the body, and is typically associated with taking corticosteroids. Symptoms include:

• High blood pressure
• Abnormal periods
• Increased hair growth
• Fat accumulation around the trunk, neck, and shoulders but not the limbs
• Facial puffiness, or “moon face”

Nipples Come In All Shapes, Colors, and Sizes

Many of us have been conditioned from a young age by Western mainstream media and (certain types of) porn to believe that the “perfect” nipple is small and pink. Luckily, this appears to be changing with nipples becoming a fashion statement, and more body diversity in porn.

Just remember: Get your yearly mammogram, and as long as it checks out, your nipples are perfectly fine. 

Inverted Nipples Are Normal

Inverted nipples, also known as retracted nipples, are when the nipple points inwards rather than outwards. Up to 10%–20% of women are born with one or both inverted nipples. The vast majority of the time, naturally inverted nipples are not a cause for concern.

Most women with inverted nipples can still breastfeed. Babies can usually still latch on, though they may need to do so over the entire areola depending on how much the nipple protrudes. Stimulation and breastfeeding can also cause nipples to stick out and become less inverted.

Sometimes, nipples may become inverted due to changes in your breasts from breastfeeding, menopause, infected milk ducts, or complications after breast surgery. However, if you notice your nipple suddenly retracting, notify your doctor immediately as this could be a sign of breast cancer in women and men. 

How Breastfeeding Changes Your Nipples

There are entire pamphlets written on nipples and breastfeeding, so we’ll keep it brief with some common ways nipples may change during pregnancy and breastfeeding:

• Bigger, darker areola – As your breasts engorge to prepare for the baby, the skin stretches and it is normal for your areola (the skin around your nipples) to also grow. Areolas also grow and darken during pregnancy to make an easier target for your newborn to find.
• Flattened nipples – Engorged breasts can cause your nipples to flatten.
• Inverted nipples – If your nipples have always pointed outwards and start pointing in, it could be due to an infection with your milk duct. Consult with your doctor right away.
• Irritation and cracking – Dryness and leaking breast milk can all irritate your nipples, which is why it’s important to keep your breasts clean and moisturized. There are many nipple creams specifically for nursing mothers that can help. If you develop skin conditions around your areola like psoriasis or eczema, consult your doctor.