Nips gay

But one of my favorite pieces of nipple piercing history (ok, maybe second favorite after envisioning Victoria aristocracy and their nipple rings….no, really) is that of the queer practices and rituals surrounding nipple rings.

“Among gay men, piercing the left nipple only or tattooing an armband on the left upper arm only, can be perceived as a statement that the wearer is a top or dominant, meaning that sexually he is anally insertive and orally passive.

A physical exam and imaging are often needed to determine the cause.

5. Inverted or Retracted Nipples

Some men have naturally inverted nipples, but if a nipple suddenly retracts or changes shape, it should be checked by a medical provider.

Is It Gynecomastia?

If your nipples appear swollen, puffed-out, or areola is elevated, it could be a form of gynecomastia—a benign enlargement of male breast tissue caused by a hormonal imbalance between estrogen and testosterone.

Gynecomastia may present as:

• Puffy nipples only (Type 1)
• Glandular masses beneath the nipple
• Overall chest fullness or asymmetry

At our practice in Newport Beach, we specialize in identifying and treating all types of gynecomastia—especially puffy nipple cases, which are often overlooked but have a big emotional impact.

When to Seek Treatment

You should speak to a medical provider if you notice:

• Persistent puffiness or chest swelling
• Unilateral (one-sided) changes
• Discharge or pain
• No improvement with diet or exercise

If the tissue has been present for over a year, it’s likely permanent glandular tissue, which can only be removed with surgery.

Treatment for Puffy or Enlarged Guys Nipples

Gynecomastia Surgery is the most effective solution for men dealing with persistent nipple issues caused by gynecomastia.

I asked my client if this was a fairly common practice at the time.

“If you were the kinky side of queer, sure enough. We could still celebrate our love, but we wouldn’t have to worry about work or people finding out. A different kind of engagement ring.

So that's what Daniel and I did.

This is the most common early sign of gynecomastia. Whether it’s puffiness, tenderness, discharge, or visible changes, many men wonder what’s normal for guys nipples and what could be a sign of a condition like gynecomastia.

In this guide, we take a closer look at guys nipples, how they function, what common issues can arise, and when it’s time to take action.

Understanding the Male Nipple

Though guys nipples don’t serve the same biological purpose as female nipples, they’re developed during early fetal growth before sex-specific hormones begin shaping male or female traits.

However, ongoing tenderness or swelling should be evaluated—especially if it’s accompanied by changes in size or shape.

3. Lumps or Firm Tissue

A firm mass under the nipple can be glandular tissue related to gynecomastia, or—rarely—a benign or malignant growth. With roots in BDSM, specifically gay BDSM, this mentality began to spread to other practices, such as piercings.

As people, we’ve been piercing our nipples for hundreds of years, with documentation of nipple piercing ranging throughout history. We actually saw another couple do it first, a local leather couple did a collaring party and not only did he get a locked collar, but they pierced each other nipples. The concept of using nipple piercing as a form of hidden wedding bands, in a time when wearing actual bands would have been not just socially unacceptable but potentially endangered people's lives or well-being.

The Queer History of the Nipple Ring

When we consider the queer history of modern American piercing, many of us think of the legend of “the gay ear”, some of us, more in the know, might think of Gauntlet, Jim Ward, and Fakir Musfar. Male nipples don’t serve a reproductive function, but they still contain ducts, nerve endings, and areolar tissue.

Normal nipple characteristics in men include:

• Flat or slightly raised profile
• Symmetrical in size and shape
• Similar skin tone to the surrounding chest
• No discharge, lumps, or persistent tenderness

Minor differences in size or position between the two nipples are also common and usually not a cause for concern.

Common Nipple Concerns in Men

1. Puffy Nipples

A raised, dome-shaped areola that protrudes slightly from the chest may be caused by glandular tissue beneath the nipple.

A lot of the lesbians seemed to too, they loved sharing matching earring sets one for each, I always thought that was sweet, even if the studs were always too fem for me.”

Even in modern times, I often have clients come in seeking piercings as a way to commemorate relationships and celebrate their love. I was obsessed with the nipple rings though.

I knew a lot of folks with piercings, and nipple piercings were fairly popular. But one of my favorite historical memories has always been the nipple piercing.

We had a collaring ceremony and all, but my collar was a removable one, what with work and all. My practice was here, I couldn’t leave. But we got our nipples pierced. In the B&D and S&M subculture, it means that they are the submissive sex partner, and function as the slave or boy.

Leather women and lesbians who practice B&D and/or S&M may also use the left/right placement of jewelry or tattooing as well to signify top/bottom and dominant/submissive roles.