Sore nipples are almost always caused by something common and treatable: hormonal shifts, friction, skin irritation, or breastfeeding mechanics. The sensation can range from mild tenderness to sharp, burning pain, and the cause usually becomes clear once you consider the timing and context. Here’s a breakdown of the most likely reasons and what to look for.
Hormonal Changes Throughout Your Cycle
The most common cause of nipple soreness in people who menstruate is the normal rise and fall of estrogen and progesterone. These hormones cause breast tissue to swell and nerve endings to become more sensitive, especially in the nipple and areola. You’re most likely to notice this in the week leading up to your period, though some people also feel it around ovulation, roughly mid-cycle. The soreness typically fades once your period starts and hormone levels drop.
This kind of cyclical tenderness is so predictable that tracking it for two or three months can help you confirm the pattern. If the soreness consistently lines up with your cycle, it’s almost certainly hormonal and not a sign of anything worrying.
Early Pregnancy
Nipple and breast soreness is one of the earliest signs of pregnancy, often appearing as early as two to four weeks after conception. Rising estrogen and progesterone levels stimulate milk duct development and increase blood flow to the breast tissue, making the nipples noticeably more sensitive. The soreness can feel similar to premenstrual tenderness but is often more intense and persistent. If your period is late and your nipples have been sore for longer than usual, a pregnancy test is a reasonable next step.
Breastfeeding
Nipple pain during breastfeeding is extremely common. Research from the UK found that 76% of breastfeeding women experienced latch-related nipple pain, and roughly 79% of new mothers reported nipple pain before even leaving the hospital. At eight weeks postpartum, about 20% still had ongoing nipple pain. Cracked or bleeding nipples account for a significant share of early breastfeeding discontinuation, with about 30% of mothers in one study stopping within 12 weeks because of it.
The most frequent cause is a shallow latch, where the baby doesn’t take enough breast tissue into their mouth and compresses the nipple against the hard palate. A lactation consultant can usually identify and correct latch problems in a single visit. Soreness from a poor latch typically starts at the beginning of a feeding and improves as the baby adjusts, while pain that persists throughout or worsens after feeding may point to an infection.
Thrush
A yeast infection (thrush) can develop on the nipples during breastfeeding, causing pink, flaky, shiny, or blistered skin. The pain often feels like shooting or burning sensations deep in the breast during or after feedings. A telltale sign is nipple soreness that appears after several weeks of previously pain-free breastfeeding. Your baby may also have white patches on their tongue, cheeks, or gums.
Mastitis
Mastitis is a bacterial infection of the breast tissue that causes warmth, redness, swelling, and flu-like symptoms including fever, chills, and body aches. The affected area feels tender and hot to the touch, and you may notice a yellowish discharge from the nipple. Unlike general breastfeeding soreness, mastitis makes you feel systemically unwell. It needs treatment promptly to prevent an abscess from forming.
Friction and Chafing
Repetitive rubbing from clothing is a well-known cause of nipple pain, particularly during exercise. Often called “jogger’s nipple,” it affects people of all genders. Cotton shirts are especially problematic because they absorb sweat, get heavy, and cling to the skin as they move back and forth across the chest. Hot, humid weather makes it worse.
Switching to lightweight, moisture-wicking fabrics that pull sweat away from the skin significantly reduces friction. A snug-fitting shirt or a supportive sports bra limits the fabric movement that causes chafing. For extra protection, you can apply petroleum jelly or a specialized anti-chafe balm to the nipples before activity, or cover them with adhesive bandages. If your nipples are already raw, giving them a day or two of rest from the offending garment is usually enough for them to heal.
Skin Irritation and Eczema
The skin on and around the nipple is thinner and more sensitive than most other areas of the body, making it especially vulnerable to contact irritation. Laundry detergents, body soaps, lotions, and perfumes with artificial fragrances or dyes are common triggers. Some people develop eczema specifically on the nipples, with symptoms including dryness, itching, flaking, and cracking.
If you recently switched detergents, started using a new body wash, or wore a new bra, that change is a likely culprit. Switching to unscented laundry detergent made for sensitive skin and avoiding soaps or lotions with strong fragrances often resolves the issue within a week or two. A fragrance-free moisturizer applied after showering can help restore the skin barrier.
Puberty
If you’re a teenager experiencing nipple soreness for the first time, it’s likely part of normal breast development. The first visible sign is the appearance of small breast “buds,” nickel-sized bumps beneath the nipples and areolas. Estrogen signals the mammary glands and surrounding tissue to grow, and that growth process can make the area feel tender or sore. This tenderness is completely normal and typically improves over time as development continues. It doesn’t mean anything is wrong.
Medications
Several types of medication can cause breast and nipple tenderness as a side effect. Oral contraceptives and hormone replacement therapy are the most common culprits, since they directly alter estrogen and progesterone levels. Certain antidepressants (SSRIs like fluoxetine), antipsychotic medications, and some blood pressure drugs can also trigger breast pain. If the soreness started shortly after beginning a new medication or changing your dose, that connection is worth discussing with whoever prescribed it. The fix is sometimes as simple as adjusting the dose or timing.
Nipple Pain in Men
Men experience nipple soreness less frequently, but it does happen. The most common cause is mechanical irritation from exercise, particularly long-distance running. The repetitive friction of a shirt against the chest can cause redness, pain, and even bleeding. Hot, humid conditions increase the risk because sweat makes fabric stick and pull.
Hormonal causes are also possible. Shifts in the balance of estrogen and testosterone can cause breast tissue to swell, a condition called gynecomastia. This can happen naturally during puberty, with aging, or as a side effect of certain medications. If you notice actual tissue growth beneath the nipple along with soreness, that’s worth getting evaluated.
Red Flags Worth Checking
Most nipple soreness resolves on its own or with simple changes. However, certain symptoms alongside nipple pain warrant a closer look. According to the CDC, these include a new lump in the breast or armpit, dimpling or puckering of the skin, redness or flaky skin that doesn’t improve, nipple discharge (especially blood), a nipple that appears pulled inward when it wasn’t before, or any change in breast size or shape. These symptoms don’t automatically mean cancer, but they do need evaluation to rule it out.
Soreness that doesn’t follow your menstrual cycle, affects only one breast, or persists for more than two to three weeks without an obvious cause is also worth bringing up at your next appointment.