Men can develop nipples that hurt due to cysts, as well as an underlying infection of breast tissue, if nipples are dry or chafed either due to cold weather or a history of eczema, says Glatter. This leads to cracks and small openings in exposed skin on the nipples and allows skin bacteria to enter.
Some common skin problems, such as allergic reactions (contact dermatitis) and eczema, can cause nipple pain in men and women if the nipples are affected. Both conditions usually cause flaky and irritated skin around the breast and nipple. In most cases, other areas of the body are affected as well.
In most cases, sore nipples are caused by hormonal changes from pregnancy or menstruation, allergies or friction from clothing. In rare cases, it can be a sign of a serious disease like breast cancer. Your healthcare provider should evaluate any pain that's accompanied by discharge or lumps as soon as possible.
For women, sore nipples are common during periods, pregnancy, and breastfeeding. Any pain in your nipples can make you wonder if you have breast cancer. It's rare for it to be the main symptom of the disease, but you should still see your doctor to have nipple pain checked out if it doesn't go away.
Low testosterone levels can sometimes result in gynecomastia — a form of breast growth that affects men. Gynecomastia can cause your nipples to become swollen or tender.
In men, mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes can increase the risk of breast cancer, high-grade prostate cancer, and pancreatic cancer. If genetic testing shows that you have a BRCA1 or BRCA2 gene mutation, your doctor will explain what you should do to find cancer early, if you get it.
Stress and anxiety can also be linked to breast pain. Non-cyclical breast pain may be continuous or it may come and go. It can affect women before and after the menopause. The pain can be in one or both breasts and can affect the whole breast or a specific area.
Shortly after ovulation, estrogen levels drop, and progesterone levels rise. In some people, these shifts in progesterone may trigger breast pain or sore nipples. If a person becomes pregnant, progesterone levels will continue to rise. This causes breast tissue changes that can make the nipples or breasts sore.
Women who are not breastfeeding can also get mastitis, as can men.
Gynecomastia is often due to an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen hormones. Certain medications and diseases can also cause male breast tissue to swell and get bigger. Enlarged breasts in boys and men often improve without treatment.
Typical breast cancer, when it is found, also doesn't cause pain. “If a tumor grows big enough that you can feel it, it will feel like a rock in your breast tissue.
Shooting pain in the breast is common, and is often the result of hormonal fluctuations in the body. If a person regularly experiences breast pain before a period, they will often find it disappears on its own when their period begins or ends.
Mild dehydration can cause fluid retention, which may worsen breast pain. Drink more water or eat fruits that can help keep you hydrated.
The main symptom of breast cancer in men is a hard lump in one of your breasts. The lump is almost always painless. The lump is usually located underneath the nipple and areola (the circle of dark-coloured skin surrounding the nipple).
Mastitis: An infection of breast tissue can occur in males on rare occasions, though the cause is unknown.
It is a very common condition that is temporary, usually going away after a few days. Most mothers find nipple soreness peaks on the fifth day of breastfeeding and then resolves. Luckily, there are some strategies to ease the hurt and help your nipples heal quickly!
Bacteria can enter through a duct opening or a crack in the skin of the nipple, and multiply in the milk. Symptoms of mastitis include breast pain, swelling, warmth, and redness.
Something you may not have known: Your nipples can clue you in to some serious health problems. If you notice sudden puckering or dimpling of the skin around or on your nipple—particularly if it occurs around just one nipple—call your doctor. This could be a warning sign of breast cancer.
Breast pain is usually present to some degree with Inflammatory Breast Cancer which has other distinct symptoms as well. Rarely, a breast tumor may cause pain, but generally cancerous tumors are not reported as painful.