When it comes to the human body, there are some things that make us scratch our heads. One of those things is why do men have nipples?! In most other animals, only females have them for reproductive purposes. But in humans, both men and women have them. So, what’s going on?
In this article, we’re going to look at the interesting choices evolution has made, the functions of male nipples, possible abnormalities, health issues, erogenous zones, and even a video that will make you giggle.
Table of contents
- The Male Nipple Starts with Fetal Development
- The Male Nipple – Why Did Nature Keep It?
- The Function of the Male Nipple
- Sexual Nipple Play for Men
- Male Nipple Abnormality or Problems List
- It’s Male Lactation Really a Thing?
- Why Do Men Have Nipples – FAQs
- Final Nipply Thoughts
- If You Want More Articles Like This…
The Male Nipple Starts with Fetal Development
A long time ago, in a womb far, far away (or close, depending on the relationship with your mother) our embryos were still in the early stages of development. These structures could either become male or female reproductive organs.
But we need an SRY gene (which is found on the Y chromosome) to make the big changes. Whether this gene is present or not actually determines whether the baby will develop as a male or female.
Let’s fast forward to around the seventh week of embryo development. This is when the SRY gene starts doing its thing – specifically triggering the development of male reproductive organs while the female reproductive duct starts to fade away.
But for females, it’s different since they don’t have a Y chromosome. So, without that SRY gene, the female reproductive duct continues to develop, becoming the female reproductive organs we all know and love. At the same time, the male duct starts to go bye-bye.
Key Fact: Things start happening even before the SRY gene gets going. Somewhere between weeks four to six of development, breasts and nipples start to form. They’re ridges called “mammary crests” or “milk lines” extending from the barely-there armpit to the “let’s call that a” groin. But as things move along in male development, the mammary crest disappears, and smoother muscle starts to replace it. But we still have a bit of nipple left behind.
The Male Nipple – Why Did Nature Keep It?
Nature is weird, efficient, intelligent, unpredictable, and a plethora of other adjectives. Generally, if a trait doesn’t really help us survive, evolution tends to phase it out. But that’s not always the case.
Besides men’s nipples, humans have quite a few nonessential traits that are leftovers from our evolutionary journey – like wisdom teeth. These traits are called vestigial, which means we still have them even though they’re not essential for our survival. It’s like Mother Nature said, “Meh, it’s not hurting anything to have them there, so why expend the energy to take them away?”
The Function of the Male Nipple
For women, most people think of nipples/breasts for nourishing babies – and they’re not wrong. But from a sexual standpoint, they’re also an erogenous zone. Some women are blessed enough to be able to have orgasms from nipple stimulation alone.
And even though male nipples don’t have a biological function, there are still plenty of nerve endings there – so say thank you to evolution for male nipple sensitivity. So many in fact that they also count as a happy place. Having your nipples function as a place of pleasure is certainly not a bad thing.
Sexual Nipple Play for Men
When it comes to nipple stimulation, the list is long and delicious. If you’re curious about getting into this kind of pleasure, here are some ideas to get you started…
- Gentle touches and caresses: Experiment with gentle touches and caresses around the nipple area to see how your partner responds. Some people may find light strokes or circular motions pleasurable.
- Tongue play: Using your tongue to lightly lick or gently flick the nipple can be another way to stimulate. Again, it’s important to check with your partner and see what they enjoy.
- Suction or nibbling: Some individuals may find light suction or gentle nibbles on the nipple pleasurable. However, it’s important to approach this with caution and ensure that your partner is comfortable with this level of intensity.
- Temperature play: Experiment with different temperature sensations to enhance pleasure. Try using a warm or cool object, like an ice cube, against the nipple area and observe how your partner responds. But always make sure the temperature is safe.
- Gentle tugging or twisting: Some players may find this action a real turn-on. Start slowly and gauge your partner’s reaction, and then ramp it up or down (or change things) based on how they react.
- Incorporate Lube: Adding a small amount of sex lube can heighten sensations. It can reduce friction and make the experience more enjoyable for your partner. Cooling lube can be fun. But with any new liquid, always do a patch test!
- Play with Props or Toys: Try things specifically meant for nipple stimulation. Vibrating nipple clamps, suction devices, Wartenberg wheels, soft brushes, fingernails, snapping rubber bands, etc., can provide different sensations and intensify pleasure. Then there are vibrators that can really make them squirm.
- Try Proximity and Breath: Experiment with the sensation of your warm breath against your partner’s nipple, or gently blowing air on the area. Combine it with soft kisses or teasing touches to create a tantalizing experience. Yum.
Male Nipple Abnormality or Problems List
Don’t let this section freak you out. Sometimes nipples can form in different ways that are harmless. But there are cases where you might need to visit a doctor. If you’re unsure, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and NOT dive down the WebMd hole. Also, sometimes it’s not a problem with the nipple itself, but the breast area (or “pecks” if someone wants a manly term for it).
Here’s a brief list of some possible issues.
- First, it’s not uncommon for men to have inverted nipples, where they appear indented instead of sticking out. This can happen naturally because of genetic factors, injury, or certain health conditions.
- Nipples can get irritated while exercising. It’s common with runners and marathoners, which is why people call it “jogger’s” and “marathoner’s” nipple. It’s from the friction between the shirt and the chest, especially in intense exercise and hot weather. I wasn’t going to show pictures of this because there’s usually a lot of blood.
- Gynecomastia is a condition where men develop enlarged breast tissue. This can lead to swollen or puffy nipples. It is usually caused by an imbalance of hormones, particularly an increase in estrogen compared to testosterone.
- Infections or Inflammation: These can lead to redness, pain, or male nipple discharge.
- Medications: Certain medications can cause side effects in men, such as discharge or tenderness.
- Male Breast Cancer: Yes, men can get this too – although at lower rates than women. There is too much information to include in this article. But there is plenty of data out there if you want to learn more. Also, we’ve added a few tidbits of information here.
It’s Male Lactation Really a Thing?
One of the most puzzling things about male nipples is the possibility of lactation. Even though men don’t have the necessary mammary glands and milk-producing tissues to breastfeed, there have been rare cases where men reported milk coming out of their nipples.
This is called male lactation or galactorrhea, and it’s usually linked to hormonal imbalances, certain medications, or underlying health conditions. But it’s important to remember that these cases are extremely rare and not what you’d typically expect in men.
Why Do Men Have Nipples – FAQs
Well, a male nipple orgasm is a real thing, so you would take any steps you would with a partner for any sexual event – communicate. See what works for them. It could be nipple sucking or pinching or anything from the list mentioned above. You can visit the Lovense Store for some ideas on powerful, app-controlled sex toys that you can incorporate.
Nipples come in all shapes and sizes! Nature loves variety. So, you’re okay. Unless there’s pain, discharge, or something health-related, you’re good to go. But, as always, talk to a doctor if you’re not sure.
There’s a difference between permanently everted and always hard. One has to do with being on the spectrum of development. Some men have flat nipples, others are more pronounced. Just like women’s beasts and areolas differ widely. But having “erect” nipples can come from arousal, temperature changes, clothing fabric, sensitivity, etc. But if a constant nipple erection comes with other symptoms (or you’re just worried) simply visit a doctor.
Pimples on the nipple can occur due to various reasons, such as hormonal changes, sweat buildup, or even an infected hair follicle. So, don’t worry. Just keep the area clean, apply warm compresses, wear loose/breathable clothing, and, for the love of god, DON’T PICK IT! Let it resolve on its own. And if it gets worse, contact your doctor to see how to deal with it – mostly because that’s an area you DON’T want to f-around with and possibly cause an infection.
Yep, things like aging, medication, sexual activity, surgeries, hormonal imbalances, etc., can affect it.
Pain thresholds vary A LOT from person to person. Some say women’ have a naturally higher pain threshold, but that doesn’t mean that piercings are measurable when it comes to pain differences.
Final Nipply Thoughts
The existence of male nipples is a fascinating biological quirk that can be traced back to our shared early development. And while they don’t have a direct reproductive function, male nipples can still bring pleasure and enhance sexual arousal.
When it comes to health, nipple abnormalities and rare cases of lactation can happen, they’re generally not what you’d expect in the average guy – so don’t constantly peak under your shirt to see if they’re going to morph into talking boobies.
The only thing you have to do is what any of us have to – make healthy choices, keep an eye on our bodies, and contact health professionals if we think something is up.
To close out, understanding the ins and outs of male nipples helps us appreciate the complexity of the human body, reminding us of the extraordinary journey of life we’re all on.
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Anything else you want to add? Please share in the comments!
