Ever looked at your chest and thought, what the heck are nipples exactly? Ever felt that yours looked weird? Well, this unique feature on the human body comes with some pretty interesting facts.
Find out 5 facts about black women's nipples:
1. Nipples don't always come in pairs.
So did you know that it's not uncommon for a person to actually have 3 or 4 nipples instead of two? According to a study done in a German scientific journal, researcher Leichtenstern states that, "1 in every 500 people have more than 2 nipples". These additional nipples are referred to as "supernumerary nipples". According to the National Institutes of Health, "supernumerary nipples can show up anywhere on the body, and don't actually develop into breasts."
2. They can be inverted.
Do you nipples retract in instead of point out? Well, don't be ashamed. You may be surprised to know that according to reports 10-20 percent of women have inverted nipples. There is nothing unhealthy about having inverted nipples, and in some case, women with inverted nipples experience them "popping out" during pregnancy or stimulation.
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3. Nipple orgasms are possible.
According to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine nipples are an erogenous zone for women. Their research involved studying MRIs of the brain's activity when nipples were stimulated. The results showed the same type of activity within pleasure centers in the brain that occur when there is stimulation of the clitoris or vagina. The study even concluded that the level of stimulation of the nipples could lead to orgasms for some women.
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4. There's a reason men have nipples, too.
According to a study published in the journal Nature, "during the first few weeks of birth, the embryo develops off of a female blueprint. It isn't until about 60 days where testosterone kicks in and changes the genetic activity to that of a boy."
5. The little bumps are usually harmless.
Take a good look at your nipples and you'll notice there is quite a bit of texture and bumps. According to ob-gyn Dr. Alyssa Dweck, "This is totally normal. Those bumps on the areola can be hair follicles, ducts, or oil glands that produce lubricating fluid." So don't go squeezing, poking and prodding at them. It isn't acne. If the bumps are discolored and red, or part of a rash then you should consult a doctor. According Dr. Dweck, "A rare form of breast cancer called Paget’s disease can present itself as a red bump or rash on the nipple or areola."
Signs of nipple problems
You might see discharge, such as pus or a white, watery fluid. You may also feel pain, itchiness, or swelling in your nipples. See your doctor right away if you have any discharge at all or discomfort that lasts for more than a few days.
You may also notice changes in the shape of your nipple or areola, which is the skin around your nipple. These changes may include puckering or dimpling of the skin. Always discuss changes like this with your doctor.
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In women, hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle can cause monthly discomfort that lasts for a few days. You should talk to your doctor if it bothers you.
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Causes of nipple problems
There are a variety of circumstances that could lead to nipple problems, including:
- pregnancy
- infections
- small, benign, or noncancerous, tumors
- hypothyroidism, or an underactive thyroid
- ectasia, which is a widening of the milk ducts
- a pituitary gland tumor
- Paget’s disease of the breast
- an injury to the breast tissue
