Nipples: 11 important facts for women
Nipples not only give you pleasure, they also reveal a lot about your health. You should know these 11 nipple facts
Rebecca Hofer
04/06/2021
Nipples are one of nature’s wonders: they come in many shapes and sizes, can give you incredible pleasure, feed a baby, and even indicate potentially serious health problems.
Therefore, it is wrong to simply dismiss them as “nipples”. We say: Give them the attention they deserve. Therefore, you should definitely know these 11 facts about your nipples:
1. Nipples come in sizes S to XL
Female nipples and their areolae can be as big as a 2 euro coin or smaller than a 10 cent piece. “It doesn’t matter what size your nipples are, know that any size is normal,” says the New York gynecologist and author Alyssa Dweck (author of The wonderful world of the vagina).
The size is also not fixed: weight gain or pregnancy can cause nipples to become significantly larger, according to the expert.
2. Nipples can change color
Pale pink, bright red, dark brown: they come in many shades. First of all, the color of the nipples depends on the woman’s ethnic background and skin color.
Just as nipple size can change during pregnancy, so can color. “When nipples darken, it’s usually permanent and is a result of the hormone surge during pregnancy,” says Dweck.
3. Nipples give us loads of pleasure
For many women, the nipples are undoubtedly one of the erogenous zones, as a study by the Journal of Sexual Medicine from 2011 showed: Using magnetic resonance imaging, researchers discovered that the same reward areas in the brain are active when the nipples are stimulated as when the clitoris or vagina are stimulated.
4. Nipple orgasms are not invention
The same study also found that just stimulating the nipples can lead to orgasm — an experience that sex researchers previously thought was only possible for a very small group of women. How is this possible for you? It’s best to try it out, alone or with your partner.
5. Nipples also come as a trio
It’s not uncommon for both men and women to be born with 3 nipples (or 4, 5, or 7, according to another 2012 study). These “extra nipples” resemble a birthmark or skin tag, but they do not develop into an actual breast. Also, according to the National Institutes of Health occur anywhere on the body.
6. Nipples are not smooth
If you take a closer look at your nipples and the areas around them, you’ll see that your nipples look like the bumpy cratered landscape of the moon. “These bumps are absolutely normal and can come from hair follicles, milk ducts or glands that produce an oily fluid,” says the gynecologist.
7. Sometimes the bumps are a bad sign
However, caution is advised with Parget’s carcinoma – a rare form of breast cancer. The disease is characterized by red bumps or a rash on the nipples or the surrounding skin. If you discover such a change and it doesn’t go away after several weeks, you should definitely see a doctor. You need to know how to prevent breast cancer.
8. Dry nipples are often the result of wearing sports bras
Regular workouts are good for your body – no question about it. However, your nipples sometimes see it very differently. Because the nipples often become dry, rough and even bloody if they constantly rub against the sports bra. It’s not for nothing that runners cover their nipples with tape before running a marathon.
For example, one helps against unpleasant rubbing greasy cream, which you should apply to the nipples just before a sweaty workout. It helps to soothe irritated skin. Many female athletes also swear by it nipple plastersthat protect the nipple from rubbing. This is what happens when you don’t wear a bra.
9. Breastfeeding can take a toll on nipples
Soreness, pain, burning, bleeding — these are just some of the ugly consequences of having a hungry baby suckle on your nipples multiple times a day, expert Dweck knows. However, these symptoms often go away once the new mom gets the hang of it. If the nipples continue to suffer, you should consult your pediatrician or midwife.
10. Nipples can leak milk uncontrollably
As crazy as it may sound, there is actually the phenomenon of breastfeeding women suddenly spurting milk from their nipples when they hear a baby crying.
11. Beware of nipple discharge
The occasional small amount of discharge from the nipples after they’ve been squeezed isn’t usually a big deal. “But a white, milky discharge can be a sign of tumor growth in the brain,” warns the expert.
Green or black discharge can also indicate a harmless breast duct problem, bloody discharge indicates breast cancer. If you notice the latter, you should consult your doctor immediately.
Your nipples are true multi-talents: They help you to have the greatest feelings of pleasure, establish the closest physical contact with your baby and can provide information about your health. Always treat her well!
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04/06/2021
Rebecca Hofer
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