Male nipples. Do men need nipples? Painful sensations in the nipples as a symptom of breast cancer in men

Men cannot breastfeed their offspring, and yet they still have nipples. There is still no definitive answer to the question of why men need nipples, but there are several hypotheses.

Scientific theory

The modern scientifically based theory about why men have nipples is related to the intrauterine development of the child. Let's remember how it is formed human body. IN early period The embryo does not yet have sexual characteristics, and various parts of the body (arms, legs, fingers, as well as nipples) are formed in the same way for everyone, regardless of what gender the child will have in the future. This occurs approximately between 3 and 7 weeks of development. And only after this, under the influence of its own hormones and a certain set of chromosomes, the embryo begins to develop either female or male sexual characteristics. That is, mammary glands appear in a small creature long before a surge of sex-shaping hormones occurs. Probably, nature provided such a feature of development to simplify the reproductive system ( exact reason unknown to science), but all individuals, regardless of gender, are endowed with such a body part as nipples.

Output large quantities The hormone estrogen provides women with enlarged mammary glands and the ability to produce milk. Men's breasts do not receive as much estrogen and, as a result, do not develop and function as well as women's breasts. However, there are known cases of hormonal imbalance in men: too much estrogen is produced. Because of this, the breasts may become enlarged, which is a deviation from the norm and a reason to consult a doctor.

There are other versions of scientists about the function of nipples in men. For example, for a long time it was believed that nature “intended” to endow the male body with the ability to feed offspring, but in the course of evolution this was not required, and the mammary glands in males stopped developing. The theory was considered erroneous because in no other mammals did males ever have the ability to produce milk and feed their young.

Mythical theory

Somewhat echoes the scientific theory of why men have nipples, the mythical version of hermaphrodites. According to myth, there were once creatures on earth that did not have male and female sexual characteristics and developed in the same way. Then, in the course of evolution, gender differences appeared, and since women began to perform the function of feeding children, men’s breasts stopped developing and only nipples remained. This theory also has not received scientific substantiation.

Other versions

People have been thinking about why nipples are needed on a man’s body for a long time and trying to explain their presence from the point of view, for example, of aesthetics, because it is very difficult to imagine a man without nipples. But nature does not care about external attractiveness, but about the vital activity and protection of the body, so the idea of the beauty of the body hardly justifies the presence of nipples in men.

From the point of view of protecting the body, they tried to explain the function of the nipples by saying that they are very sensitive and are one of the most vulnerable areas on the human body. In a fight with an enemy, it is very easy to cause damage with their help. severe pain. But again the question arises: would nature “give” a man nipples just for this? After all, there are more sensitive places for injury. But still muscle and nipples in men and perform protective function: They protect the lungs and heart from damage.

There is an opinion that the nipple in men is just one of the erogenous zones that is needed to excite the body, but this theory is also not considered convincing and justified. According to surveys, not all men love caresses of this part of the body, but many, on the contrary, experience discomfort or cannot tolerate touching the nipples at all.

Some observations attribute a signaling function to nipples on a man’s body. An analogy is drawn with the most developed mammals, such as primates, who show their breasts with swollen nipples to the enemy, expressing with this action aggression and readiness for battle. Apparently, male nipples also had a similar purpose. early stages human development.

Let's sum it up

So, why do men need nipples? The nipple in men, along with such organs as the appendix, coccyx or wisdom tooth, is classified as vestigial organs- those that during evolution ceased to perform any functions, but remained in the human body. The mammary glands do not perform any vital functions important function in the body of a man, which means he does not need nipples, but any man is the owner of this part of the body.

From school course Anatomy, we know that the human body contains rudimentary organs, which in the process of evolution, as unnecessary, “lost” their functionality, but remained in our body. These organs include, for example, the appendix, the coccygeal region of the spine (tailbone) or wisdom teeth. To this list you can add male nipples. Why does a man need nipples? , if they do not fulfill their intended purpose, like women?

The most common “folk” versions of why a man needs nipples

To the question “ Why does a man need nipples? ? scientists still cannot give an exact answer. However, popular rumor has its own strong opinion on this matter and expresses several versions.

A man's nipples are an erogenous zone that performs the function of arousal in love games. Can this answer be trusted? If you conduct a survey among men, you can hear completely opposite answers - from positive to negative. Not all men are aroused when their nipples are touched; for some, caressing this part of the chest can cause various sensations - from irritation to disgust.
A man needs nipples for beauty. Our consciousness has historically developed such a stereotype. Basically, the laws of nature are not “fixated” on aesthetics, but all our organs and appearance they “work” more for survival and livelihoods. However, it is difficult to imagine male breasts without nipples. At least in our minds, a man without nipples does not look aesthetically pleasing. This answer can justify the presence of nipples in men and answer the question “ Why do men need nipples? ?»
A man needs nipples in order to cause him unbearable pain and moral humiliation in a fight with an enemy. No one will argue that sensitive nipples are a rather painful and vulnerable area. In addition, the manifestation of pain and weakness in the concept of men is, in a way, a humiliation of dignity. What kind of man would like to have his nipples twisted, bitten or pinched? But if you believe this version, then there are many more painful places on the body, the injuries of which bring not only unbearable pain, but also disruption of the functionality of organs. Such “painful” areas include groin area and penis.
Another answer is, rather, of mythical origin. According to him, the first people were hermaphrodites who did not immediately acquire sexual characteristics, but only after time. All hermaphrodites had breasts, but in men, due to uselessness, they stopped developing and remained in the form of nipples. Despite the existence of such a version, it does not have scientific basis and evidence.

The scientific version of “why does a man need nipples”

It is clear that none of the above versions contain any evidence. Exists scientific version answer to the question " Why does a man need nipples? ».

According to the earliest scientific theory, the original purpose of nipples in men is breast-feeding offspring. This version was based on the fact that male and female mammary glands have the same structure, which means an analogy can be drawn between them functional purpose. Adherents of this theory believed that in the process of evolution, breastfeeding of offspring by males was not necessary, and the mammary glands stopped developing. However, if you look at other mammals, for example, primates, you can see that males have never had the function of a “nurse”, like representatives of the “weak” half. Therefore, this version was considered erroneous.

Knowledge about intrauterine development people give us exact information about how and when mammary glands and nipples form. However, this knowledge does not give us a definite answer to the question “ Why does a man need nipples? ?”, so our answer can be based on unproven guesses and assumptions.

Initially, the embryo is asexual. The formation of sexual differences occurs in the 3-4th week of pregnancy, and the formation of the genital organs occurs in the 7th week. The mammary glands form before primary sexual characteristics. The division into male and female sex occurs under the influence of the embryo’s own hormones and the X or Y chromosomes, and at the embryonic stage of development the fetus acquires certain gender characteristics. This sequence has its own meaning - nature initially “took care” of simplifying reproductive system. Regardless of gender, everyone has nipples - both men and women, and gender differences concern only the reproductive system.

IN male body The mammary glands do not perform any specific function. In other words, men do not need nipples, but representatives of the “stronger sex” are the “owners” of such a part of the body.

Signaling function of male nipples

Despite what we have found different explanation the presence of nipples on male body– from an erogenous to an aesthetic element, most often, nipples carry a signal load.

Male nipples express “aggression”, forming a “second face” from the body. Nipples play a similar signaling role in terrestrial primates, such as gorillas. Sticking out their chests with swollen nipples, they show the enemy their fighting spirit and aggression, knocking out a place for themselves in social group and gaining respect. Drawing an analogy with large primates, the male nipples, framed by “fur” and highlighted in color, have the same function.

Have you ever wondered why men need nipples? The question may seem stupid, but it's actually quite important. You and I know very well that unnecessary organs not in our body. Nipples are not a vestige (an organ that has lost its function in the evolutionary process). Men's nipples were never intended for anything; they did not need them at all. So why do men need nipples? We will try to explain everything to you!

And here are the known versions we know:

1) Nipples are for beauty. After all, a person who did not have nipples would look very strange and ridiculous, but this opinion was formed on the basis of generally accepted norms. In addition, our body does not have organs that have only aesthetic significance.

2) Nipples as an erogenous zone. This version is very controversial, since there are already enough erogenous zones, especially since most men are completely uncomfortable with their nipples being touched.

3) The nipple area in men is an unprotected area. If you touch, pinch or press on them, the man will certainly feel pain. But if you think about it, why does the strong half of humanity need such an unprotected area? It should be added that the groin area is also a similar area. When struck in the groin area, the pain is several times stronger.

4) Not quite a real version. It talks about the fact that all people on earth were once hermaphrodites a long time ago. And only then, after many years, they began to acquire different sexual characteristics. And it turned out that all the people of that era had breasts. But then breasts stopped forming in males, due to the fact that they did not need them, and the nipples remained where they were. But given the unreality of this theory, science does not support it.

5) The last point of view is as follows. Until the fourteenth week of intrauterine ripening of the fetus, the human embryo does not have sexual characteristics. After the above period, the human embryo is endowed with hormones. The child's father passes on an X or Y chromosome to him. Under the influence of these chromosomes, the embryo acquires male or female characteristics. And the papillary region is formed much earlier than the mentioned sexual differences. This is the secret that both girls and boys are born with nipples.

To summarize, it turns out that men have nipples due to the initial asexuality of the embryo and it has no need for them, except for piercing.

Option number 5 is closest to the truth, since similar processes occur not only with humans, but also with mammals (individuals of both sexes have nipples).

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Many people are interested in why representatives of the stronger sex need such a seemingly unnecessary part of the body as nipples. For women, they perform a very specific role - they facilitate the process of feeding newborns. Men, due to the absence of such a function, do not seem to need this rudimentary organ. Then the question quite legitimately arises: why does nature provide males with nipples?

Erogenous zone

For some men, nipples are one of the erogenous zones, the irritation of which increases sexual arousal. But this doesn't apply to everyone. About 42% of gentlemen regard touching their nipples as unpleasant and even irritating. There are also those for whom this zone does not play any role sexually. So it is impossible to call the sensitivity of the nipples and their role in sexual relations a sufficient reason for the mandatory presence of this organ in men.

Intrauterine development

In fact, nipples are a common and obligatory organ for both males and females due to the peculiarities of intrauterine development. They begin to form in the embryo before the seventh week. During the first 6-7 weeks, all human embryos develop according to a common model - female. At this time, the main organs and parts of the body are formed: the rudiments of arms, legs, eyes, ears, nipples and everything else, except the genitals.

Only after the seventh week do the unborn child experience major changes, provoking the formation of genital organs. If the embryo is male, a hormone called androsterone begins to be produced in the blood. Under its influence, the genital tubercle gradually turns into a penis, and the folds into groin area- into the scrotum.

In this case, the nipples do not disappear anywhere, but simply remain with the fetus as required attribute genus of mammals. In addition to the nipples themselves, all boys still have some tissue left after the first seven weeks of “female” development. mammary glands. It is for this reason that in puberty because of hormonal changes In young men, the breasts in the nipple area swell slightly.

Evolutionary process

There is an opinion that over time, nipples in men can completely disappear, just as a person’s tail disappeared, leaving only the coccyx bone as a “memento.” But the fact is that the tail disappeared due to its complete uselessness, neither male nor females. During the intrauterine development of the fetus, you can notice how a certain semblance of a tail gradually disappears with the growth of the embryo and transforms into a tailbone.

But this story does not apply to the nipples, which, upon completion of the full formation and maturation of the body, play a very specific role, albeit exclusively in females. Unless a person, after millions of years, transforms into some other organism and begins, for example, to lay eggs or reproduce by budding (which is unlikely), nipples in men will never disappear.

Other versions

From the point of view of protecting the body, they tried to explain the function of the nipples by saying that they are very sensitive and are one of the most vulnerable areas on the human body. In a fight with an enemy, it is very easy to cause severe pain with their help. But again the question arises: would nature “give” a man nipples just for this? After all, there are more sensitive places for injury. But nevertheless, muscle tissue and nipples in men perform a protective function: they protect the lungs and heart from damage.

Some observations attribute a signaling function to nipples on a man’s body. An analogy is drawn with the most developed mammals, such as primates, who show their breasts with swollen nipples to the enemy, expressing with this action aggression and readiness for battle. Apparently, male nipples had a similar purpose in the early stages of human development.

Let's sum it up

So, why do men need nipples? The nipple in men, along with such organs as the appendix, coccyx or wisdom tooth, is classified as a vestigial organ - one that, during evolution, ceased to perform any functions, but remained in the human body. The mammary glands do not perform any vital function in a man’s body, which means he does not need nipples, but any man is the owner of this part of the body.

Well, in the end, a man without nipples looks like a freak

It is clear that women need nipples to feed their children, so they are vital for the fair sex. But why do men need them, what function do they perform? According to Darwin's theory, in fact, men should not have them, and yet they do. What's the matter?

Why do men need nipples?

Many people ask themselves this unusual and interest Ask. Although if it itches, are they really supposed to perform any function? After all, for example, birthmarks do not perform any function, so why should nipples? In fact, men could easily do without nipples; they don’t need them at all. But still they exist, even though they are of no use.

In fact, both male and female embryos have the same tissues and body parts, which explains the presence of nipples. They still appear on early stages formation of the fetus in the womb.

Their appearance is explained by the presence of Igrek chromosomes and the hormone testosterone in the body, which together are capable of changing the embryo. The nipples and breast tissue do not serve any function.

Interesting fact - Some men are born without nipples, but this phenomenon is very rare. It is generally accepted that only women can get breast cancer, although in fact men also suffer from this disease, but much less frequently.

Breast and nipple enlargement in men

Did you know that male breasts can increase in size and nipples can swell? This is caused by the presence of a large number female hormone estrogen. It is present in the body of every man, but some representatives of the stronger sex have too much of it. There are many reasons - starting poor nutrition and ending with violations hormonal levels. This phenomenon is medically called “gynecomastia.” As a result, a man's chest becomes not only larger, but also flabby. In particularly advanced cases, a liquid begins to be released from it, at first glance reminiscent of milk. Most often, gynecomastia is diagnosed in adolescence, but such cases also occur among adult men.

Check out our publication Symptoms and Treatment of Gynecomastia

Can a man breastfeed?

Of course, men cannot breastfeed; it is unnatural and violates the laws of nature. But as we said above, small amounts may be released from the nipples. breast milk. This indicates a disruption of processes in the body - there are too many female hormones and too little testosterone in the male body.

History has recorded cases where men began to secrete breast milk due to the fact that there was a baby in the house. This can really happen, milk release is associated with an increase in the female hormone and it happens unconsciously.

Third nipple

Also, many men have a third nipple, it looks more like birthmark. Although this seems very strange, official statistics, 1 in 50 men have a third nipple.

Disputes about the benefits of nipples in men and what function they perform have been going on for several decades, or even hundreds of years. Alas, scientists have not been able to come to a common denominator and do not know exactly why men have nipples. Most doctors and researchers believe that they are completely useless and, perhaps, in the process of evolution, they will disappear in a few decades.