What is sad nipple syndrome? Symptoms and causes of rare condition

What is sad nipple syndrome? Symptoms and causes of rare condition There are no official studies into sad nipple syndrome, but it’s been linked to the feeling of ‘impending doom’ - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in The feeling of impending doom can be triggered from the slight touch of a nipple. That’s according to those who suffer from a little known condition colloquially known as sad nipple syndrome. Medically speaking, it’s not an official diagnosis. But people online have described the intense negative feelings that are sparked from something as simple as putting a shirt on. However, there are no official studies into the phenomenon – leaving many clueless that they are not alone in their experiences. What is sad nipple syndrome? The condition is described as an emotional reaction triggered by nipple stimulation. For some, the slightest brush can trigger unhappiness or uneasiness which usually subsides within a couple of minutes, but can cause confusion and disruption. Although the phenomenon can affect anyone, it appears to be more common in women than men. What are the symptoms? It can cause a wide range of emotions including sadness, discomfort, anxiety, guilt, irritability and loneliness, according to experts at the Cleveland Clinic. Thousands of posts online reveal there are many people who experience this, but there is no official diagnosis meaning it's often heard about online or through word of mouth. In a Reddit thread called “nipple touch of doom” one sufferer asked if others feel “hopelessness and despair” when their nipple is touched “the wrong way” adding that she feels “embarrassed” when it happens. Commenters agreed and said they too get the “feeling of despair and extreme loneliness” creep in. What causes it? Despite the online complaints, there are no studies about sad nipple syndrome and it’s not known what causes it. But some believe it’s linked to the love hormone oxytocin, which is responsible for bonding and triggered by physical touch, such as hugging and after childbirth or breastfeeding. “We can assume that the hormone oxytocin is somehow involved, since nipple stimulation leads to its release,” Dr Vladimír Kraus, PhD, department of gynaecology and obstetrics at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University, told The Guardian. However, it can also be linked to dysphoric milk ejection reflex, or D-MER, which occurs during breastfeeding. It triggers an emotional response when milk starts flowing out the milk duct and it is also described as a sudden feeling of shame, guilt and loss of hope. It’s estimated that as many as 9 per cent of breastfeeding women experience this sensation, according to a 2019 US study. SNS and D-MER present in a similar way, according to Alia Macrina Heise, an international board-certified lactation consultant and an expert on D-MER in Naples, New York. She also likens it to post-coital dysphoria which is where people experience sadness after the hormonal spike of orgasm. However, more research is needed to pinpoint the exact hormones that trigger this feeling of sadness. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments