# Men's nipples **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 13, 1999, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375 "1999-12-13T10:31:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 1999, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/1 "1999-12-13T10:31:00Z")
I guess this has been asked a million times before, but why do men have nipples. And why are they erogenous. Not complaining, just curiuos. * * * I once lost my corkscrew and had to live on food and water for several days (W.C. Fields) ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 1999, 2:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/2 "1999-12-13T14:48:00Z")
The genes in mammals that lead to the development of the mammaries are present regardless of the sex of an individual. In humans, other hormonal activities cause the female breast to enlarge with fatty tissue ay puberty, but the structure is there on both sexes. (That is why men with hormonal imbalances can develop breasts.) As to erogenous zones, I would guess the same thing applies–nerve endings are part of the basic structure. I will also point out that going to Cecil in the archives should generally be the _first_ thing one does when seeking knowledge: [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_093.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_093.html) . * * * Tom~ ---
**Author:** ![Diamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@Diamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamond)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 1999, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/3 "1999-12-13T19:52:00Z")
They break up the blankness of the male chest; and on me they are NOT erogenous; they hurt if messed with. ---
**Author:** ![Spiritus\_Mundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@Spiritus\_Mundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiritus_Mundi)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 1999, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/4 "1999-12-13T21:15:00Z")
I feel for ya, buddy. My nipples are very erogenous. My wife can drive me through the roof by playing them skillfully. * * * - The best lack all conviction The worst are full of passionate intensity. \* ---
**Author:** ![Timothy\_Campbell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/958977/32.png) [@Timothy\_Campbell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Timothy_Campbell)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 1999, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/5 "1999-12-13T23:21:00Z")
I wonder what proportion of men have erogenous nipples? (For those keeping score, mine are.) We seem to have encountered some topic drift, since the original post was about putatively _erroneous_ nipples. * * * Are you educated, erudite and maybe a bit eccentric? Please help us test a [new web game](http://www.pyroto.com)! ---
**Author:** ![Diamond](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e79b87/32.png) [@Diamond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diamond)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 12:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/6 "1999-12-14T00:05:00Z")
reread the original post. Erogenous. ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/7 "1999-12-14T00:08:00Z")
Sorry about having to repeat the topic, I searched the achive using the search engine, but it came up blank. If people want to hold a poll to find out what % of men have erogenous nipples, go ahead. * * * I once lost my corkscrew and had to live on food and water for several days (W.C. Fields) ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/8 "1999-12-14T00:14:00Z")
Erogenous, for sure. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Boris\_B](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/fbc32d/32.png) [@Boris\_B](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boris_B)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/9 "1999-12-14T00:40:00Z")
Does anybody know anything regarding any theories about woolly mammoths having active mammaries in both species? I just wonder if there is some historical example of male mammaries. * * * I don’t want to make people think like me, I want them to think like me of their own free will. ---
**Author:** ![Spiritus\_Mundi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c68b51/32.png) [@Spiritus\_Mundi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiritus_Mundi)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/10 "1999-12-14T03:00:00Z")
I have heard, but not seen the citations, that there have been documented cases of men producing breast milk after their nipples have been sufficiently stimulated. I remain somewhat skeptical, though the person who told me is generally reliable, but if it is true I would find it very interesting from a standpoint of evolutionary biology. * * * - The best lack all conviction The worst are full of passionate intensity. \* ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/11 "1999-12-14T03:48:00Z")
Spitus Mundi- men producing breast milk after their nipples have been sufficiently stimulated. just how much stimulation? and how was the resarch done? and for why? * * * I once lost my corkscrew and had to live on food and water for several days (W.C. Fields) ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/12 "1999-12-14T03:50:00Z")
sorry, Spiritus, my spilling’s a bit off * * * I once lost my corkscrew and had to live on food and water for several days (W.C. Fields) ---
**Author:** ![ChrisCTP](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e36b37/32.png) [@ChrisCTP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ChrisCTP)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 4:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/13 "1999-12-14T04:00:00Z")
Spiritus: I’ve heard the same thing. My best guess is that (I’m trying not to giggle from the visual) way before formula and wet-nurses, men were the breastfeeding backups. * * * “…all the prettiest girls live in Des Moines…” –Jack Kerouac, _On the Road_ ---
**Author:** ![Cabbage](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f07891/32.png) [@Cabbage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cabbage)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/14 "1999-12-14T04:19:00Z")
Here’s what Cecil had to say about men’s nipples and their lactation: [http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1\_093.html](http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_093.html) ---
**Author:** ![TheNerd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/858c86/32.png) [@TheNerd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TheNerd)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 4:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/15 "1999-12-14T04:26:00Z")
Score another one for erogenous. Though she tends to bite them. Not that I mind. ---
**Author:** ![Cooper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/50afbb/32.png) [@Cooper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cooper)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/16 "1999-12-14T05:58:00Z")
Interesting - in the article quoted above Cecil makes mention of ‘Witches Milk’ which presumably means actual lactate from a newborn baby boy. Does this happen with girls too? It would seem at least as likely with girls. ---
**Author:** ![Ladylust](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c4cdca/32.png) [@Ladylust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ladylust)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/17 "1999-12-14T06:27:00Z")
Men’s nipples are there for us ladies to play with! You know you men are almost as sensitive there as us women are and I like to do a little tongue action on my boyfriends ‘nips’ which turns him on a bit before I apply myself further down. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Tapioca\_Dextrin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tapioca_Dextrin)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 6:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/18 "1999-12-14T06:43:00Z")
So that’s how the research is done! Iwas wondering. Can I volunteer myself for further experimentation? * * * I once lost my corkscrew and had to live on food and water for several days (W.C. Fields) ---
**Author:** ![gunes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/53a042/32.png) [@gunes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gunes)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 10:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/19 "1999-12-14T10:03:00Z")
you know, i haven’t played with my bf’s nipples for quite some time. thanks for the reminder. 🙂 * * * “I play the fool, Pyotr Alexandrovitch, to make myself agreeable.” –Fyodor Pavlovitch, Brothers Karamazov ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 1999, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375/20 "1999-12-14T12:58:00Z")
I’m not a guy but I figured I’d throw in my 2cents about my nipples, since I can 🙂 Mine are totally NOT sensitive, and they never have been. A fun game with past boyfriends has been “let me close my eyes, and you touch my nipple, and I’ll tell you when(if) I can feel it”… I always lost. * * * – Teeming Millions: [http://fathom.org/teemingmillions](http://fathom.org/teemingmillions) “Meat flaps, yellow!” - DrainBead, naked co-ed Twister chat O p a l C a t [www.opalcat.com](http://www.opalcat.com) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/mens-nipples/5375.md?page=2)