There are a lot of things to look forward to when cold weather sets in - like snuggly blankets, delicious soups, your favorite knit sweater. But it may also leave you wondering why do nipples get hard when it’s cold? That’s right — when Jack Frost strikes, there’s a good chance you’ll experience hard nipples from time to time. In fact, if they aren't properly padded from the frost, your nips are probably harder than diamonds when you step outside come January. And it doesn't even need to be winter for your headlights to turn on from the cold — a powerful air conditioner in the summer can do the trick, too.
But, why do nipples get hard in a good chill?
What Causes Nipples to Get Hard?
While it may seem pretty bizarre the first time your nipples get hard in the cold, it’s a relatively simple explanation. “Nipples become hard when nerves send signals to the tiny muscles (arrector pili muscles) lining the hair follicles in the skin. These mini-muscles exist throughout the skin all over the body and when they contract, they pull on the follicle, tightening the skin above,” says Cara Natterson, MD, pediatrician and co-creator of the OOMBRA. “This pulling, in turn, causes the tiny hair coming out of the follicle to stand on end and traps air underneath the skin, helping the skin to warm itself. On other parts of the body, this reflex causes the appearance of goosebumps; on the breasts, it makes the nipples hard and can even cause your nipples to hurt when cold.”
What to Do About Hard Nipples
Hard nipples are nothing to be ashamed of! Still, you might not want your nips to be visible, and there’s good reason for that. When your nipples stand at attention at inopportune times, you can end up with chafing, especially if you’re not wearing a soft, supportive bra. That’s why for some, their nipples hurt when they’re cold. Any pain experienced is likely to be minor, so to soothe painful nipples, Natterson recommends lubricating a chapped or chafed nipple with an ointment that reduces friction. “Be careful not to use one that contains ingredients which will further irritate the situation. Lanolin is usually a winning ingredient.”
If you’re planning on a movement-heavy day or being outside in the cold, prevention is the best measure if you don’t want to end up with hard nipples all day. “Tighter-fitting bras that stay in place feel *much* better than loose ones for hard nipples, and bras made from soft, natural fibers often work best,” advises Natterson.
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Hard Nipples: What Else Causes It?
Of course, there are also a ton of reasons other than cold nipples that you might consider if you’re wondering why your nipples are hard?” Here are a few:
- Hormonal changes: Why do nipples get hard at certain times of the month, even sans cold weather? “Nipples may become more or less erect depending upon where a woman is in her menstrual cycle,” says Natterson. “The hormones in the body that determine when a woman ovulates and bleeds also impacts her arrector pili muscles.”
- Friction: Natterson says, “irritated or hard nipples need protection from friction, so avoid synthetic materials, especially loose-fitting tops that rub up against already irritated skin.”
- Sexual arousal: Due to sexual stimulation or arousal, hard nipples can occur, but it is short-lived. This occurs because the sensations you feel in your nipples report to the same part of the brain that also gets signals from your genitals.
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Are Hard Nipples Ever a Sign That Something’s Wrong?
It's not totally clear what purpose it serves when we get hard nipples from the cold, when we're aroused, or in other non-practical situations. But what we do know is that 99% of the time it’s completely normal. Natterson says, “when a person has significant pain associated with nipple hardening, or when there is discoloration at the skin or discharge coming out of the nipple, then you should go see a doctor. But erect nipples are normal and usually nothing to worry about.”
As long as there's no pain involved, we're fans of nipples standing tall and empowering themselves. But if you're not into the aesthetic of hard nipples, a thick sweater or jacket is the obvious way to stop the protrusion. Every human has nipples, and all nipples get hard, so there’s never anything to be ashamed of, even if you feel a little singled out on the brisker days.
Related: 14 Fun Facts About Boobs You Probably Didn't Know
