Problems with pain in the chest are more often experienced by women. But men did not escape this problem. Discomfort is often associated with nipples. So why does the nipple hurt in men? To answer this question, you need to know the main causes of discomfort.
Why do men need nipples?
Why did nature give the man nipples? After all, he does not need to feed the child. It's all about the intrauterine development of the embryo. During pregnancy, up to 8 weeks, the fetus has no sexual characteristics. This is precisely the reason for the presence of nipples and the germ of mammary glands in men. In newborn boys and girls there is no difference in the structure of the mammary glands.
It is inherent in nature that in the adolescent period, the mammary glands grow in the fair sex, and the breast forms. With hormonal imbalance in young boys, nipples itch and hurt. The reason for this is an excess of female hormones, under the influence of which an increase in the mammary glands begins, therefore the nipple in men hurts. If there is no hardening in the glands and pus upon palpation, then treatment is not prescribed. The diagnosis of such symptoms is adolescent gynecomastia. Most often it ends without consequences.
The male mammary glands are mainly composed of blood vessels and ducts. Nipples have an increased sensitivity, because of this they respond to cold, touch. In men, the mammary glands change under the influence of hormones. All diseases are easier than in women, with the exception of cancer.
Why does pain occur?
Why do nipples hurt in men? This may be due to both age-related restructuring of the body, and serious male diseases, including:
- Breast cancer. A rare disease in males. First signs: nipple pain, redness, wrinkling. There are thickenings that are felt during palpation. The faster you start treatment, the better the results.
- Diabetes. A disease associated with disorders in the endocrine system. The body lacks insulin. The disease is incurable, but can be controlled with medication.
- Gynecomastia Disorders in the endocrine system of men. The disease is characterized by an increase in the mammary glands, pain. Surgical methods of treatment are used, hormone therapy is possible.
- Infectious inflammatory diseases. The disease is similar to female mastitis, there are purulent discharge from the nipples, hardening, acute pain.
Enlarged nipples in men
Large nipples in men can be considered as a pathology for adrenal gland tumors, pituitary gland, dystrophy, cirrhosis of the liver, and bronchial cancer. Also pathologies include testicular tumors, hypothyroidism, Klinefelter syndrome, Reifenstein syndrome , testicular feminization. Another factor may be the long-term use of drugs and hormonal disorders.
Types of gynecomastia
Physiological gynecomastia appears in older men. They have enlarged nipples due to a lack of sexual function, a decrease in the level of male sex hormone (testosterone), while the level of estrogen remains the same.
Symptomatic gynecomastia occurs due to impaired functioning of the kidneys, testicles, liver, endocrine system and other diseases. It can appear after the use of dietary supplements, antibiotics, antidepressants, anabolic drugs. The abuse of alcohol and drugs contributes to the development of the disease.
If a man has a sore nipple, you should consult a doctor. False gynecomastia is associated with an active increase in adipose tissue, therefore it occurs in men prone to obesity. False gynecomastia can be one-sided. If the right nipple hurts, the man must understand that the disease develops on the right side. But it is necessary to feel both breasts. If the left nipple hurts in men, the disease arose on the left side.
Breast reduction is performed using liposuction. This procedure is recommended for young men with no sign of an enlarged nipple.
Painful nipples in men with gynecomastia
The mammary glands enlarge due to the proliferation of connective tissue and ducts, so the nipple in men hurts. Usually this occurs against the background of hormonal instability.
Gynecomastia can be nodular and diffuse. With the latter, one or both mammary glands increase. On palpation, hardening is felt, which is always painful. They are located under the nipples, which increases their soreness. As a result, the nipple hurts in men.
Nodular gynecomastia is a large node in the mammary gland. It hurts and he is mobile - this is what distinguishes him from breast cancer. For proper treatment, the patient should be examined by a specialist: mammologist or endocrinologist. A mammologist will help identify mastopathy. In men, it is treated with physiotherapy and medications.
Breast cancer
This disease usually occurs in men after 60 years. The disease is rare, develops gradually, it is difficult to diagnose in the early stages. The first sign is peeling and itching of the skin of the nipple and areola. There are redness, swelling, erosion. The ducts located close to the nipple are affected. From it come discharge, sometimes bloody.
As the disease progresses, the pain becomes very severe. Axillary lymph nodes may enlarge. A feature of Paget's cancer in men is the rapid proliferation of gland tissue and its spread around. Diagnosis of the disease is possible only by ultrasound, histology, magnetic resonance imaging. Paget's disease is treated at the oncology center, in compliance with all the rules for oncological diseases (chemotherapy and radiation therapy).
There can be many reasons why nipples in men hurt. Although they have increased sensitivity, they should not be sick. At the first unpleasant sensations, you must immediately consult a doctor. Particular attention to their health should be given to older men. This is not normal when a nipple hurts in men. In the initial stages, almost all types of cancer are treatable.