Why do my nipples hurt? (men)
Last updated September 3, 2026.
Usually friction: running and gym work in rough or loose fabric chafe nipples raw - fixed by tighter shirts, tape, or barrier balm - plus cold and dry skin. The medical causes: gynecomastia (a tender rubbery disc of gland tissue behind the nipple, driven by hormone shifts, some medications, steroids, marijuana, alcohol - usually benign, worth an exam), infections (red, hot: prompt care), and rarely male breast cancer - the flags are a hard fixed lump, skin dimpling, inversion, or discharge. Sort: both sides after new gym habits - friction; a tender lump behind one nipple - exam; hard lump or discharge - prompt visit.
What to do
- Fix the friction first. Snug shirt, tape, or balm for runs.
- Feel for the disc behind the nipple. Rubbery and tender: gynecomastia question.
- Review medications and substances. Common drivers hide in the medicine cabinet.
- Escalate hard lumps and discharge. Male breast cancer is rare and real.
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