Why do men have nipples? The male breast doesn’t seem so useful when you compare it to the female – after all, the chests of a man and woman work in different ways. You’d think somewhere down the line, evolution would have gotten rid of the seemingly useless male nipple.
But it turns out there’s a perfectly sound reason for the male nipple to exist, and science can explain it! In this article, we’ll be talking about facts, trivia, and other assorted odds and ends about male nips.
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Why Do We Have Nipples?
If men and women have them, then the question we SHOULD ask is why we as a species have nipples to begin with. Humans are mammals, which is an animal class distinguished by 3 things; giving birth to live young, sweat glands, and fur (or hair, in our case). You can thank evolution for giving us nipples because that’s what kept our cave ancestors alive long enough to make us.
In the womb, we develop nipples first before developing sexual organs. Fetuses develop all the bits and pieces for them to be a functioning mammal before their sexual organs, which is why regardless of our gender, we all have nipples.
The Difference Between Men And Women
Differentiating male nipples from female nipples isn’t hard: it’s milk. In mammals, only females produce milk to feed their young. All mammals (mice, gorillas, camels, cats, dogs, and humans) follow this rule. Aside from that, the structure of the male nipple is virtually identical to the female.
Both men and women have breasts – men’s breasts are underdeveloped because of hormonal changes in the womb (or as they grow up). It’s the same for all male mammals: just look at the monkey, our closest animal relative. Same structure, just different uses.
The Function Of Male Nipples
So what do male nipples do? Honestly, not much. They CAN be stimulated in the same way as women’s nipples, which can be a handy trick in the bedroom. Since they share the same nerve endings, some sexual experts say that men can experience orgasm from nipple stimulation.
Science calls the male nipple “spandrels” – an evolutionary feature that does nothing for the species but isn’t doing any harm either. Men have nipples because nature designed it that way, and until there’s a reason to get rid of them, they may as well stay there.
Can Men Lactate?
Rarely. If a man gets enough female hormones injected into his system (like when he’s transitioning or on medication) it may cause some of his breast tissue to transform into lactating issue. However, if your man spontaneously starts producing milk or fluid, take him to the doctor immediately. It may be a sign of hormonal imbalance or cancer.
Can Men Get Breast Cancer?
Yes. Women and men have the same breast tissue, so while they may be at a lower risk, men can develop breast cancer. If a man develops breasts – usually due to excess fat – that also puts them at a higher risk for breast cancer. It’s a disease that doesn’t discriminate: as long as you have breasts, you can get breast cancer.
Can Men Have Their Nipples Removed?
Sure! You may have heard of supernumerary nipples, which are extra nipples that women sometimes develop. The procedure for removing them is almost identical to male nipple removal. Some health plans can even reimburse the relatively quick outpatient surgical procedure.
If It Ain’t Broke…
So if you’ve ever wondered why do boys have nipples, the answer is biology. It may be a bit out of place, and it may not do much, but that’s how nature works sometimes.
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