Emma Howard: Hello! We are answering questions on sexual health. I am joined by Dr. Catherine Hood. Hello!
Dr. Catherine Hood: Hello!
Emma Howard: Catherine, I've got a question here from a 16-year-old who is sexually active. He says my girlfriend likes to play with my nipples during sex, but recently they have become tender and a small amount of tissue has developed under each one. Wanted to know if this could be male breast cancer?
Dr. Catherine Hood: Okay. Now I can understand his concern that -- breast cancer can occur in men. But it's much less likely than it is in women and certainly at the age of 16, I'd say pretty bit young to be getting any problems in terms of breast cancer. But if you are worried and if there have been changes to either the appearance of the nipples or the skin around the nipples, you really need to go and just see a doctor and let them have a look and examine you, because it can occur, but it's very, very unlikely.
Emma Howard: And do you think it might be as a result of sexual activity or lots of attention, that's sort of hardening up?
Catherine Hood: It maybe. Exactly, and it maybe that he is just very over focused because they are now a bit sore and if he is being a little bit over-attentive to the nipples, then certainly it can cause soreness and it might cause a little bit of thickening up with the skin.
The nipples are a big arouser, particularly for women, but actually for a lot of men too. But I am getting a feeling that perhaps it doesn't quite work for him and his girlfriend, as this hasn't quite got along to that. If the nipples are -- if this is more painful than stimulating then really you need to let her know that --
Emma Howard: Talk to each other.
Dr. Catherine Hood: This is no longer doing it for you. So, perhaps if you just leave the nipples alone, then you'll find things will settle back down again.
Emma Howard: Catherine, thank you good advice as always. Well, if you have a similar problem, we hope we might have given you some help but remember, it's always best to go and your own doctor for medical advice. Thank you for watching. We'll be back with more health questions and answers.
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