10 things you always wanted to know about boobs

• Posted on September 13, 2014September 13, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

Ever had a burning question about breasts, but felt too pervy to ask? We surveyed real men across America on all their wildest boob queries, then consulted two sex experts to get the answers. Here, Jessica O’Reilly, Ph.D and Stephen de Wit, Ph.D—Toronto based sexologists—weigh in on everything from inverted nipples to breast orgasms (they do exist!).

1. NIPPLE SENSITIVITY

Q:  “After sex, my girlfriend doesn’t like me touching her nipples because they’re sensitive. Why is that?” –Josh, Washington, D.C.

A: According to O’Reilly, the hottest erogenous zones swell with blood at the highpoint of sexual arousal, so they can become sensitive to the touch. “Just like the head of your penis can be hypersensitive during and after orgasm, her nipples may also need a break after she comes,” says O’Reilly. “Don’t worry, after a short recovery period, they’ll be raring to go once again!”

2. NIPPLE SIZE

Q: “Why do some women have extremely large nipples and others are really small? Is the size hereditary or random?” – Ryan, New York

A: “Nipples are like finger prints in that no two are exactly the same,” says O’Reilly. “Since nipple and areola size are related to breast size, it’s fair to say that size is hereditary. But a number of other factors also impact breast size, like age, diet, pregnancy, menstruation and overall body weight.”

3. INVERTED NIPPLES

Q: “I had sex with a girl for the first time and was freaked out that her nipples were inverted. What’s the deal?” – Bill, Michigan

A: De Wit explains that it’s basically the same thing as asking about an “innie” vs. an “outtie” belly button, which is to say: it’s normal, and doesn’t play a role when it comes to stimulation. “We call it shy nipples,” he says. “That’s just one of our body’s interesting ways of constructing ourselves differently. It’s not something to be concerned about.”

4. BREAST WEIGHT

Q: “How much does the average breast weigh?” – Justin, Florida

A: O’Reilly says breast weight depends on breast size, as well as the amount of fatty tissue and dense tissue in the breast. “Since breast size varies vastly from one woman to the next, an average weight is difficult to calculate,” she says. “However, an average estimate of breast weight is approximately 1.5 pounds [for the average cup size (which is debatable) but typically falls between a B and C].”

5. LARGE VS. SMALL

Q: “Are men biologically inclined to be attracted to women with larger breasts?” – Tal, New York

A: Men are biologically attracted to breasts, but size isn’t always the deciding factor, according to O’Reilly. “Part of that attraction is likely evolutionary, as breasts remind us of feeding and prompt us to activate the two-way bonding circuits of our brain,” she says. “As for size, research suggests that men are more interested in body proportions and the distribution of body fat on the whole as opposed to the size of a woman’s breasts alone.”

6. ROUGH PLAY

Q: “I’ve been with some women who love when I slap or bite their her breasts during sex and others hate it. Are some women’s breasts more sensitive than others?” – Alev, Pennsylvania

A: Breast sensitivity definitely varies from woman to woman. “Just like foot sensitivity and pain thresholds are unique to each person, pleasurable reactions are also highly personal,” explains O’Reilly. “You may also find that she likes it rough one day and then finds it to be too much the next week. This may be because her menstrual cycle impacts her perception of pleasure and pain.”

7. BOOB ORGASMS

Q: “I read that women can have a ‘boob orgasm.’ Is that true?” – Dane, Indiana

A: It sure is, says O’Reilly. “A small percentage of women can actually reach orgasm through breast play alone, and scientists are now studying this phenomenon through observation using MRI machines.” Dr. de Wit adds, “There are scientific studies that back this up. The most recent one shows a correlation between nipple stimulation that activates the same areas of the brain as clitoral and vaginal stimulation.”

8. SAGGING BREASTS

Q: “Do breasts always get saggy after having a kid and/or breastfeeding?” – Jonathan, California

A: Yes, sorry. Your wife (or future wife’s) boobs will lose some perk as the years go by, thanks to a mix of factors—even if she doesn’t have kids or breastfeed. “The latest research actually indicates that breastfeeding alone doesn’t cause your breasts to sag,” says O’Reilly. “A number of other factors are related to sagging breasts, including age, hormones, pregnancy and genetics.”

9. BREAST IMPLANTS

Q: “Do women with breast implants lose sensation in their breasts?” –Max, New Jersey

A: Sometimes. “Because any surgery can cause nerve damage, some women who get implants report a loss of sensitivity post-surgery—particularly in their nipples,” says O’Reilly. However, she explains, there’s a wide variation in recovery, and plenty of women with implants report getting lots of pleasure out of their brand new breasts.

10. LEFT VS. RIGHT

Q: “Is one boob more sensitive than the other?” –Brandon, Florida

A: Yes! One breast (and one nipple) is usually more sensitive, so O’Reilly suggests finding out which side your lady favors. “Erotic sensitivity on the left side is more common, but the only way to know is to ask!”

-mensfitness