As someone who has gotten their nipples pierced, maintained them for a year and a half, and has since taken them out, all while being in the same long-term relationship, I feel as if I have some insight into how nipple piercings can alter physical sensitivity and overall bedroom behaviors. The biggest thing to expect before you get your nipples pierced is the extensive healing period, where it is necessary to leave them alone before you’re able to have fun with them.
What to Expect During the Piercings
The reason why I had to take my nipple piercings out was because they were ultimately pierced improperly, leading to rejection. In order to avoid improper piercing placement, low-quality jewelry, or overall bad customer service, my highest recommendation is to thoroughly research the studios you are looking at going to in order to ensure they are sanitary and reputable. The Association of Professional Piercers has a member locator feature, which allows you to search for professional piercers with an APP certification to ensure you are in the best hands possible during such intimate piercings.
If you are female-presenting, I would suggest searching for a female piercer as well because they will understand your anatomy the best, although it is absolutely realistic for male piercers to be equally as knowledgeable and professional.
In preparation for the piercings, the anticipation was by far the most uncomfortable. Of course, shoving two needles through “the girls” was going to be painful, but it was not knowing how much pain to expect that made me sick to my stomach. Many people have confirmed the second piercing hurts much more than the first due to a depletion of adrenaline after the first one is finished, and I can tend to agree. The type of pain is fast and can be comparable to a sharp yet burning sensation that turns into a soreness. The best thing to remember is the physical pain will only be a temporary experience.
Healing
The approximate healing time for nipple piercings averages between 9 and 12 months, which is the most predominant way they impact bedroom time. Because they have such an extensive healing time, it is vital they are left alone during this time. This means it will be necessary to neglect the nipples. Hands are full of bacteria, and any touching, brushing or accidental twisting of the jewelry can invite a potentially dangerous amount of bacteria into the wound. Possibly replace your typical nipple foreplay with sensual and intimate touching between the breasts or around the hips to simulate the same gentle sensation while safely letting your piercings heal. Ultimately, it is recommended to avoid touching them under any circumstances (except to clean) to ensure proper healing.
Aftercare
Aftercare should include using only a sterile saline solution or sterile fresh water to clean the piercing site. This saline solution is also called “wound wash,” and it is very important the only ingredient is .09% sodium chloride. Any additional ingredients can risk infection, migration, or rejection. If you are unable to get your hands on a saline solution, clean water will work just as well.
During the healing process, the body produces a liquid known as lymph, which is known as the “crusties” that collect around the jewelry of a fresh piercing. Checking the piercings about 2-3 times a day and cleaning only when there are crusties is a good rule of thumb. Otherwise, it is important to leave it alone to avoid cleaning out the natural bacteria from the body.
Understanding the process of downsizing jewelry is also important to minimize problems with future healing. Downsizing is when you replace the standard jewelry you were pierced with, which is usually much longer to account for initial swelling, with a smaller, more snug piece of jewelry. If you do not downsize your piercings, you can risk weighing down your healing piercings which can also lead to migration or rejection.
After Healing: How Sensitivity Affects Sex
I know waiting for your nipple piercings to heal can be tedious, but once they are healed, the fun and confidence that comes from them will be worth every minute. Not only did having my nipples pierced make me feel sexier in my own skin (which ultimately helped my performance in the bedroom) but it also added a sense of heightened sensitivity that came after healing. For me, this sensitivity deeply enhanced the pleasure I received from foreplay and sex.
Every individual is different, and what some people, like myself, may find to be pleasurable, another person may find to be painful. I know many women who had very sensitive nipples prior to getting them pierced, and the increase in sensitivity translated into overstimulation or discomfort during sex over enjoyment. Nipple piercings provide you the outlet to communicate more with your wants and needs as a person and make you feel more comfortable with your likes and dislikes. They help to confirm how you want to be touched fully depending on your feelings at the moment.
While it may not be easy to make modifications in the beginning, it is absolutely possible to continue a happy, healthy, and steamy time in the bedroom while keeping your nipple piercings clean and protected. Not only can they physically impact your sensitivity during sex, but they can also help you feel more confident in your body. Even though the nine months of healing may feel long, the outcome far outweighs the wait. I can’t wait to get them done again!