What are the most common causes of sore nipples?
Symptoms of nipple pain or tenderness vary from person to person depending on the cause.
Menstruation or other hormonal changes
The hormonal changes that occur as part of menstruation can cause breast tenderness and sore nipples. Most cases of breast or nipple tenderness occur just before menstruation begins (in the days just before your period). This is because estrogen and progesterone cause your breast tissue to swell.
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Similarly, other life events like menopause or beginning puberty can also cause your hormones to shift, triggering side effects like nipple pain.
Hormonal birth control can also cause changes that lead to nipple soreness.
Pregnancy
Pregnancy is a common reason for many bodily changes, including changes to your breasts. Nipple and breast soreness may be an early sign of pregnancy due to the sharp increase in hormones. Your nipples may become larger, darker and more sensitive during pregnancy.
Breastfeeding (chestfeeding) or pumping breast milk
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A bad latch causes most cases of nipple pain or soreness related to breastfeeding (nursing). A latch is how your baby is positioned on your breast. A good latch involves your baby accepting your entire nipple and areola in their mouth. If your baby is sucking on just your nipple, it can make breastfeeding extremely painful. If your pain continues beyond the first few weeks, talk to your healthcare provider. Most breastfeeding pain resolves within the first month of breastfeeding.
If you’re pumping breast milk, you can experience nipple pain from using a breast shield (also called a breast pump flange) that’s the incorrect size. A breast shield is a plastic piece that fits over your areola and nipple. Strong suction makes a poor-fitting breast shield even worse.
Check with your healthcare provider or a lactation consultant if you believe nursing or your breast pump is causing your nipple pain.
Friction from clothing
Bras or shirts can rub against your nipples and cause soreness and pain. It’s especially common in runners (joggers nipple) and athletes. The friction from clothing or poor-fitting bras can cause your nipples to get dry, red or chapped. Wearing a bandage over your nipple during exercise or applying a petroleum-based ointment can help prevent nipple chafing.
Trauma
Trauma to your nipple during sex or from nipple piercings can cause pain and irritation. If you have a piercing, check for signs of infection like swelling or pus-like discharge. If nipple soreness is caused by rough foreplay, it should improve over time.
Infection
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Cracked and sore nipples are prone to infection because the open skin allows for bacteria to get in. Your nipples can become cracked for several reasons, such as during breastfeeding or from trauma. Common reasons are:
- Mastitis: Lactation and breastfeeding can increase your chances of developing mastitis, a painful breast infection. Other symptoms include fever and hard, red spots on your breast.
- Thrush: A yeast infection called thrush can also cause nipple pain, stinging or soreness. Your baby may also develop thrush on their tongue, cheeks or throat.
- Folliculitis: Clogged hair follicles around your nipples can also become infected and cause soreness.
Allergic reactions or skin rashes
Reactions to skin irritants like detergents, soaps, perfume or lotions are a common cause of nipple soreness or itching skin. If the pain is accompanied by blisters, scaly patches or redness on your nipple area, it could be a skin condition called dermatitis. Contact dermatitis is caused by products or irritants touching your skin. Atopic dermatitis (or eczema) is usually related to allergies or your immune system. Both can affect your nipples.
Disease or cancer
Paget’s disease of the breast or breast cancer can cause nipple pain. In addition to sharp pain or itching, you might also have nipple discharge, lumps on your breast or your nipple may change shape (turn inward or become inverted). Although nipple pain caused by cancer is rare, you should contact your healthcare provider if you experience any of these symptoms.
Does ovulation cause sore nipples?
Ovulation can cause sore nipples due to hormonal changes that occur during your menstrual cycle. However, it’s more common to experience nipple tenderness in the days just before your period.
Why are my nipples sore to touch when I’m not pregnant?
There can be several reasons your nipples are sensitive to touch other than pregnancy. If you’re not pregnant, other causes could be hormonal shifts due to menstruation or birth control, trauma or infection. If you experience prolonged soreness that’s accompanied by a lump or nipple discharge, contact your healthcare provider right away.
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