# Are the male and female genitalia "the same" in every respect aside from their shape?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-male-and-female-genitalia-the-same-in-every-respect-aside-from-their-shape/665794>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [August 9, 2013, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-male-and-female-genitalia-the-same-in-every-respect-aside-from-their-shape/665794 "2013-08-09T11:55:51Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 3

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**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-male-and-female-genitalia-the-same-in-every-respect-aside-from-their-shape/665794/41 "2013-08-11T17:40:59Z")

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All men with normal male nipples have milk glands that would produce milk.  
Making that happen generally requires external hormones. If you started taking female birth control pills, you might lactate.

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**Author:** ![BMax](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bmax/32/4267_2.png) [@BMax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BMax)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-male-and-female-genitalia-the-same-in-every-respect-aside-from-their-shape/665794/42 "2013-08-11T18:01:55Z")

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> [@aNewLeaf](#):
>
> All men with normal male nipples have milk glands that would produce milk.  
> Making that happen generally requires external hormones. If you started taking female birth control pills, you might lactate.

OK, but would it affect any other secondary sexual characteristics?  
Reduce my body hair, make my beard sparse, give me thicker subcutaneous fat layer, less muscle mass, change the odor of my sweat?

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**Author:** ![aNewLeaf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ac91a4/32.png) [@aNewLeaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aNewLeaf)\
**Post date:** [August 11, 2013, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-male-and-female-genitalia-the-same-in-every-respect-aside-from-their-shape/665794/43 "2013-08-11T18:06:09Z")

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If you took external hormones in doses that produced lactation, you probably would experience other effects as well.  
Everyone is different, every body is different. So a specific answer is a bit difficult.

As an exercise in applied endocrinology, it would be fascinating.  
Feed a male friend just enough of the right chems- without him knowing- so he leaks milk.

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**Author:** ![MrQwertyasd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9d8465/32.png) [@MrQwertyasd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrQwertyasd)\
**Post date:** [August 15, 2013, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-male-and-female-genitalia-the-same-in-every-respect-aside-from-their-shape/665794/44 "2013-08-15T23:49:14Z")

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> [@](#):
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> And male nipples? What is that shit? Once I’ve saved up enough cash, I’m having mine surgically removed.

Then put 'em on ebay.

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**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\
**Post date:** [August 16, 2013, 1:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-the-male-and-female-genitalia-the-same-in-every-respect-aside-from-their-shape/665794/45 "2013-08-16T01:37:29Z")

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> [@freckafree](#):
>
> The gubernaculum? **The Canal of Nuck?** You can’t make this shit up.

Its been a half an hour and I’m still laughing over this! 😃

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