How Getting A Nipple Piercing Can Boost Confidence And Sex

Lots of people find nipple piercings sexy, and they're rumored to enhance sexual pleasure. Like any piercing, there are risks worth weighing before deciding if pierced nipples suit you. Here's everything you need to make that call.

What Nipple Piercings Can Do For You

Before diving into the risks and process of getting your nipples pierced, let's talk about why people get them in the first place. First, how common are they, really?

Nipple piercings aren't as widespread as some other piercing types. One study found only 3 percent of men and 6 percent of women had pierced nipples [1]. That's not too surprising, given nipples rank among the male erogenous zones!

Nipple piercings look sexy. You might love how it looks when you glance down or check the mirror. Your partner might appreciate it too, perhaps paying more attention to your breasts and nipples as a result. If nipple stimulation already turns you on or even brings you to orgasm, this piercing could be a great match.

And just as with men, breasts and nipples serve as erogenous zones for plenty of women. Learn about all the female erogenous zones.

Another draw? Feeling more powerful and more in control of your own body.

While piercing won't leave your nipples permanently erect (discover why nipples get hard), it can make them more prominent. Flat nipples sometimes leave people feeling self-conscious, and piercing might also help draw out an inverted nipple. Jewelry typically shows through t-shirts and fitted tops, offering a hint of what's underneath.

Related: The 9 Types of Nipples That Exist. What Type of Nipples Do You Have?

You can also pick different jewelry styles to express yourself. Picture a bold ring peeking through cutout lingerie, or catching the light while your breasts are bound during bondage!

Sound appealing? Most people are candidates for nipple piercing, but there are a few risks to weigh first.

Do Nipple Piercings Improve Sex?

Some people report heightened sensation once their nipples are pierced. That can be especially welcome for women whose nipple sensitivity dropped after breastfeeding, or whose nipples were never especially sensitive to begin with.

Getting pierced doesn't guarantee a change in sensitivity, though, and a poorly done piercing could even dull it. You might also simply dislike having jewelry there or find yourself needing extra caution around it, or discover you're too sensitive rather than not sensitive enough.

Still, a pierced nipple opens up fun possibilities. Think about resting a vibrator against the jewelry, or carefully linking both piercings with a light chain. Special necklaces exist that incorporate nipple chains. Some people enjoy having their piercings tugged and twisted during rough sex.

Nipple piercings aren't exactly rare, but there's still a hint of novelty and taboo to them that some find thrilling.

Either way, keep your expectations realistic when it comes to what a piercing will actually do for you.

The same logic applies to clitoral piercings. Learn more about getting your clit pierced.

Risks of Nipple Piercings

Naturally, the initial piercing hurts, and soreness that fades over time is normal. But real pain can follow if the piercing becomes infected or tears out.

Small scar-tissue bumps called keloids can sometimes form, and they may become itchy or painful [2].

This type of piercing suits people who can comfortably sleep on their back.

Nipple piercings generally don't interfere with breastfeeding, but a few side effects can crop up.

Finally, body piercings aren't advised for anyone on immune-suppressing medication, such as certain psoriasis treatments [3]. Infection risk climbs in these cases, though proper aftercare keeps that risk low for most everyone else.

What About Breastfeeding?

Plenty of women breastfeed successfully with pierced nipples. In fact, the piercing hole can end up serving as one more outlet for milk. Even so, it's smart to take jewelry out beforehand, since it poses a choking hazard.

Some side effects are still possible. You might notice milk production even when you don't need it [6], a condition called galactorrhea [4]. Prolactin levels can also spike temporarily, though things return to normal once the jewelry comes out.

Not Sure About Getting Your Nipples Pierced?

If you're hesitant about committing to a piercing, a few alternatives exist.

Non-piercing nipple jewelry works a bit like clip-on earrings — small spirals that wrap around the nipple and help keep it erect. Some come with hanging or decorative charms. They won't work for inverted nipples, though.

Nipple clamps are another option worth trying. These sex toys suit anyone with even a slight masochistic streak (you might also enjoy trying breast bondage!). Plenty of styles clip onto the nipples, some with added charms, weights, or chains for extra fun.

Learn more about nipple clamps in this post about nipple orgasms.

If pain isn't your thing at all, consider a pasty instead. These stick directly to your breasts and often come with sparkles or tassels. No holes, no pain, no blood — and they peel off cleanly!

The Piercing Process

Before booking an appointment, do a little homework. Look for a piercer with strong online reviews and/or recommendations from people you trust. The studio should look clean, tools should be sterile, and you should have privacy during the session.

You might prefer a female piercer for nipple or genital piercings, similar to how some people prefer a female OBGYN. It's a lesser concern, but some people simply click better with certain piercers. Depending on where you live, though, your options might be limited.

If you have an inverted nipple, confirm your piercer has experience working with that.

Piercings don't take nearly as long as tattoos, but show up on time regardless. Bring a driver's license or other valid ID.

Here's what typically happens during a nipple piercing appointment. You'll sign paperwork and pay first. Then you'll choose jewelry from the available starter options, and your piercer may resize it to fit your nipple. That jewelry might need in-house sterilization, or it may already be ready to use.

Before the actual piercing, you'll remove your bra or top — something you can easily fold down works best. The piercer cleans your nipples with alcohol, then marks where the holes will go with a marker. Horizontal piercings are most common, though vertical is also an option.

Some piercers use clamps to steady the area. They'll have you take a breath before pushing the needle through, then insert the jewelry right after and remove the clamp.

Some bleeding is completely normal, and your piercer may apply pressure to stop it. Once it's under control, they'll bandage the area.

Over the next few days, expect a bit of spotting and soreness, though it should ease up fairly quickly.

Healing of Nipple Piercings

Every piercing needs time to heal, and nipple piercings typically take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months. Infections, or habits like smoking, can extend that timeline.

Expect some soreness while healing, along with small white or yellow crusties, which are completely normal and simply lymph fluid. Wipe them gently with a clean cloth. If they're larger or painful, soak them first in saline solution, which you can either buy or mix yourself.

Wash your piercing daily with soap and water, but stay gentle. You can carefully rotate the jewelry to clean and toughen the hole, but avoid rough handling and be careful not to snag it while getting dressed or undressed.

Some people find a sports bra more comfortable while healing. Whatever you wear should be especially soft to avoid irritating your breasts further.

As mentioned earlier, sleeping on your back helps prevent tugging on the jewelry, and pajamas that won't snag on your piercing are worth choosing, too.

Infection Warning

Any piercing risks infection if bacteria get into the hole. It's fairly common for debris to form a pimple-like bump that eventually pops on its own. But severe infections can be serious and may need medical attention. Infected piercings can turn into abscesses [5].

Watch for these infection symptoms:

• Discharge (beyond the usual whitish lymphatic fluid)
• Odor
• Pain
• Swelling
• Warmth to the touch
• Itching
• Rash or redness
• Fatigue

If you suspect infection, call your doctor right away!

Caring For Your Pierced Nipples

Once healing is complete, you can swap in different jewelry. That might leave your nipples briefly sore, but it should only last a few days.

If you ever need to go metal-free (say, for an MRI), plastic retainers can stand in for your usual jewelry. Just avoid leaving the piercing empty for long, since the hole can close up.

After your nipple piercings have fully healed, you don't need to be quite as careful. Still, wash your hands before handling the piercing, sleep on your back if lying face-down is uncomfortable, and stay careful not to snag your jewelry, since nipple piercings are prone to tearing [6].

Some women stick with sports bras long-term, but you can typically go back to your regular bras once healed. Just watch out for all-lace styles, which jewelry can catch on.

A well-fitted bra matters a lot for exercising with pierced nipples, though bandaging over the nipples can also help cut down on movement and friction.

Keep in mind that any piercing creates a new opening, which may slightly raise your risk of contracting an STI [7].

If you ever decide you're done with your piercing, simply remove it and let the hole close. Just know you'll need a fresh piercing down the line if you want to wear jewelry there again. Forcing jewelry through a closed hole is not advisable.

That said, you might genuinely love how a nipple piercing looks and run into very few issues if you follow the care advice above!

Resources

Statistic Brain found the most popular piercing location for men to be the nipple, with 18 percent of men and only 9 percent of women reporting one.

Bustle collected quotes from 10 women about their piercings.

One Reddit user asked how clit and nipple piercings actually feel, and readers weighed in.

Shanna Germain breaks down how nipple piercings really feel.

Not ready to commit? Psychology Today offers a few alternatives to nipple piercing.

Jessica Cruel shares how piercing her nipples became a body-positive decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ #1 – Do nipple piercings hurt?

All piercings hurt to some degree, and pain tolerance varies widely. Many describe nipple piercings as more painful than other spots, so brace yourself for more discomfort than you might expect. Your piercer may suggest painkillers beforehand, but skip aspirin, since it thins blood and increases bleeding.

FAQ # 2 – How long does healing take?

Healing can stretch up to six months. Quick healers who keep the area clean and avoid friction may heal faster, while smokers often take longer.

FAQ #3 – What kind of jewelry can I use?

Your starter jewelry is likely a bar. Clickers are a specific bar style that can include decorations hanging below the nipple, snapping into place rather than using a ball — hence the name. Hoops are another option. Once healed, a nipple shield becomes available too — a bar through the nipple connected to a round decorative piece around it.

As for material, hypoallergenic options work best. Titanium is a solid, relatively affordable pick that limits reactions. Gold costs more but is another option. Cheaper stainless steel can carry high nickel content, which some bodies react to — at least one study found a higher likelihood of reactions among those with body piercings [8, 9, 10, 11, 12]. Women are also more prone to nickel allergies than men [13].

FAQ #4 – Will a nipple piercing make me more sensitive?

Plenty of people do notice heightened nipple sensitivity after piercing, but results vary. It's also possible to become sensitive in an unwelcome way, so keep your expectations grounded.

FAQ #5 – What are the risks of this type of piercing?

It will hurt going in, no question. Healing takes longer than many other piercing types. You may find certain bras uncomfortable, and jewelry can show through some bras — and shirts, if you skip a bra altogether.

Every piercing carries infection risk without proper care. Infections can be quite painful and may require a doctor's visit and antibiotics.

FAQ #6 – Can I still breastfeed if my nipples are pierced?

This comes up a lot, and the answer is yes. Pierced nipples generally don't interfere with breastfeeding. That said, remove jewelry beforehand so your baby can latch properly and to avoid any choking risk from loose pieces.

FAQ #7 – Will my man like it if I get my nipples pierced?

Some men do enjoy pierced nipples. The only way to know for sure is to ask him!

FAQ #8 – How much does nipple piercing cost?

Prices vary by location and the jewelry you select. If a piercer's rates look significantly cheaper than others nearby, ask about their safety and hygiene practices, along with their experience level.

Checking online reviews can also tell you whether past customers would recommend a given piercer.

FAQ #9 – I have an inverted nipple. Can I still get it pierced?

Yes! In fact, some people specifically use piercing to help an inverted nipple become less inverted, or at least look more everted.

FAQ #10 – How should I care for a nipple piercing?

• Keep it clean and dry. Wash your hands before touching the piercing or swapping jewelry.
• Wash gently with warm water and soap. Skip alcohol or hydrogen peroxide, both of which dry out skin. Rotate the starter jewelry while cleaning.
• Don't apply lotions or balms to a piercing that's still healing.
• Wear clean bras and tops.
• Watch for anything the jewelry might snag on, especially while dressing.
• Avoid unnecessarily playing with the jewelry, particularly before it's fully healed, since that invites bacteria and irritation.
• Don't rotate jewelry just to loosen crusties — soak them first, then wipe gently with a clean cloth.
• Fresh piercings can be treated with saline solution (not the contact-lens variety), available from your piercing shop or a pharmacy. You can also mix your own using 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt in 1 cup of water. Pour it into a shot glass and hold it against your nipple to rinse.
• Try to sleep on your back and avoid bedding that might snag your jewelry.

FAQ#11 – How do I know if my nipple piercing is infected?

Pain, itching, and a rash can all signal infection. Watch for swelling and unusual discharge (a light yellowish crust is normal). If that crust lingers for months, it could point to a material reaction instead.

If you suspect infection, book a doctor's appointment as soon as possible!

FAQ #12 – Should I get both nipples done at once or wait?

Some people prefer piercing one nipple at a time to test the waters, but doing both at once means only one uncomfortable session rather than two. You can also manage healing for both simultaneously, cutting your overall recovery time in half compared to spacing them out.

November 20, 2020