Despite little research, many women report feeling sad when their nipples are touched.
Here’s what we know about sad nipple syndrome.
These are the words most commonly used to describe different nipple sensations.
But over the last few years, throngs of people have taken toTikTokandRedditspecifically to describe their nipples as sad.
Turns out, theres a name for this: sad nipple syndrome.
She specializes in sexual health care and is also a staff clinician at FOLX Health.
queer sex therapist and director ofThe Gender &
And almost any kind of touch can trigger the wash of emotion.
If you have questions about why this happens and what to do about it, read on.
Ahead, womens and mental healthcare experts answer all your questions about sad nipple syndrome.
What is sad nipple syndrome, exactly?
The exact negative emotion(s) associated with nipple play or other touch vary from person to person.
Some people, including software engineer and lifestyle influencerThaovy Van, describe feelingan uncontrollable sense of sadness.
Others report feeling guilty or ashamed, while others express feelings of loneliness, homesickness, or nostalgia.
Notably, not all people experience sad nipple syndrome in response to the same stimuli.
For others, its primarily nipple play in a sexual setting that sparks feelings of unease.
queer sex therapist and director ofThe Gender &
What causes sad nipple syndrome?
Experts, however, do have some hypotheses about what could spur this mysterious condition.
Some of these potential causes of sad nipple syndrome ahead.
Very sensitive nipples have endorphins that release when touched.
Monte R. Swarup, MD, a board-certified OB/GYN and founder of HPD Rx
1.
Well, releasing milk isnt the only thing that can cause chemical changes.
Menstrual cycle
Sore and tender nipples are common pre-menstruation symptoms.
(Medically this is known ascyclical breast pain).
Theculprit4of the sensation sensitivity?
Now, heres where the sadness part comes in: Low mood is acommonpart of PMS, too.
Its about a deep discomfort in connection to ones identity and body, they say.
However, several other touches, thoughts, or experiences (i.e.
How do you fix sad nipple syndrome?
At present, there is no official treatment protocol for sad nipple syndrome.
Heres Exactly How It Can Affect Your Poop
1.
Keep track of your triggers
Are your nipples saddest when your stress levels are highest?
Does the condition come and go based on where you are in your cycle?
Is breastfeeding the underlying cause?
Khan suggests keeping a mental (or physical) log of all of this info.
Use physical buffers
Does the brush of your blouse against your breasts make you blue?
If your nipples arethissensitive, Kahn suggests wearing clothing that minimizes friction and contact.
Or, maybe a flickering tongue upsets you, while nipple sucking feelsorgasmic.
And if you decide that your nips are off the table sexually until further notice?
Thats A-OK, too, they say.
Heck, you shouldnt evenfrownand bear.
Your obstetrician or midwife could also be a good resource for navigating general postpartum feelings.
Talk to a gender-affirming provider
Have questions about your gender?
Suspect your nipple-induced stress is connected to general gender malaise?
Dr. Ross suggests talking to a gender-affirming, queer-inclusive therapist.
How common is sad nipple syndrome?
Word is out on exactly how common sad nipple syndrome is.
The earliest online mentions of it areopen-ended discussion Reddit threads from 2014.
People have long described negative emotional and physical reactions to their nipples being stimulated or touched, she says.
But the term would be applied.
Can men get sad nipple syndrome?
Yes, men can get sad nipple syndrome.
That means that cisgender and transgender men can experience sad nipple syndrome, she says.
Notably, someone does not even have to currently have nipples to experience this sensation.
Accessed 13 Sept. 2024.
Tahir, Muhammad T., and Shafeek Shamsudeen.
Mastalgia.PubMed, StatPearls Publishing, 2021, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562195/.
…
Got it, you’ve been added to our email list.
