I Got a Nipple Piercing And It Was Not Only Painful

I got my nipples pierced last year, something I’d been planning for a long time. I knew it was a wild decision for me. But I did it, and looking back, it wasn’t so bad—I actually love how they look. However, nipple piercings aren’t just about pain; there’s a lot more you should know. I love sharing experiences, so here’s my story. If this helps anyone considering nipple piercings, even better.

Why I Decided to Pierce My Nipples

First off, I’m not a feminist, but I firmly believe in bodily autonomy. I’ve seen posts online where women say things like, “I got my nipple piered to feel more ownership over my body.” For me, nipple piercing was deeply personal. Why did I do it? Pure curiosity—a mix of self-expression, empowerment, and aesthetics. Like tattoos, which I have several of, I think decorating your body with things you love is cool. Plus, many friends claimed nipple piercings boosted their confidence and sex appeal, and I wanted to see for myself. Before taking the plunge, I researched extensively: read case studies, browsed jewelry options, and finally mustered the courage to visit a piercing studio.

The Piercing Process

Finding the Right Studio

I live in Colorado Springs and chose a local shop called The Hive. I called first and one shop quoted me $130 (not including jewelry), but after checking reviews, the average price seemed closer to $100. The Hive charged me $110, which included a medical steel nipple ring. Thankfully, my piercer was professional and everything went smoothly.

The Actual Piercing

Before starting, the piercer will ask to take a look at your nipple to determine the location of the piercing and the size of the barbell. To be honest, this is a bit embarrassing for a woman. After confirming everything, the piercer marked both sides of my nipple with a marker and disinfected it briefly.

When I saw that long needle, I nearly chickened out. Too late! The piercer clamped my nipple to hold it steady, then guided the needle through the marked spot. He warned me it’d hurt—and boy did it. A sharp, intense pain, over in two seconds. He slid the jewelry in and tightened it. For the second nipple, I clenched my teeth and fists, bracing for round two. Post-piercing, the pain faded to a mild burn.

After the piercing was completed, the piercer gave me detailed instructions on how to clean the nipple ring and care for the nipple piercing.

The Annoying Healing Phase

It takes about 10 months for a nipple piercing to heal. Care during this period is annoying, but you have to do it unless you want to get infected. The days and weeks after the piercing are especially critical. Because your piercing wound will remain open for a while, it is easy to get infected by contact with some bacteria in the air during this period. Here is the guidance given to me by a professional piercer:

Do’s

Clean the piercing every day. In the first few days after the piercing, the wound will ooze some clear yellow liquid. Wash the piercing with warm water and mild soap.

Soak the piercing in saline solution. Do this for at least a month after the piercing. Pour saline solution purchased from the drugstore into a small cup and press it against the nipple. Let the nipple soak in the solution for 2-3 minutes.

Wear loose cotton clothing. The piercing needs to be breathable so that bacteria does not breed, and loose clothing will cause less friction and irritation to the piercing.

Wear a bra when exercising. Try to avoid strenuous exercise in the first few days after the piercing, and wear a bra when exercising to keep your breasts and nipples as stable as possible and avoid bumps and violent movements.

Be careful when dressing. Be careful that fabric and accessories on your clothes can snag jewelry, and pulling on the piercing can tear the wound, which is very painful and increases the risk of infection.

Don’ts

Don't smoke or drink. Nicotine and alcohol can slow the healing process, and even e-cigarettes are not a good idea, as they contain nicotine.

Don't touch your piercing with unwashed hands. Your hands touch everything in your day, and they can carry all kinds of germs. Touching your piercing with unwashed hands can lead to infection.

Don't fiddle with your jewelry while your piercing is healing. This can cause new tiny cracks near your piercing, which can increase the chance of infection.

Don't soak your piercing in a pool or bathtub. These bodies of water can be full of bacteria, so shower whenever possible to reduce your risk.

Don't use harsh cleaning solutions. These include rubbing alcohol and hydrogen peroxide, which can damage the piercing and make it more likely to get infected.

It's all about reducing the risk of infection. I did my research at the beginning. I had read about those cases of infection on the Internet, and it was terrible. So I strictly followed the guidelines given to me by the piercer, and everything went well. Fortunately, I have no signs of infection. However, nipple piercing is not what I imagined, and it still has some troubles.

The Unspoken Truths About Nipple Piercings

They Hurt. A Lot

I'm often asked how painful a nipple piercing is. I don't like this question, but it's common sense that anything that involves something sharp going through body tissue is painful. But since everyone has a different pain tolerance, they experience it differently. For me, if a cartilage piercing is a five or six out of ten, a nipple piercing is definitely a seven out of ten, or even more.

They Might Affect Breastfeeding

If the piercing intersects milk ducts, it could disrupt breastfeeding (rare, but possible). Even healed piercings may cause faster milk flow or leakage.

Hormonal Sensitivity Sucks

During ovulation and before your period, your body's estrogen and progesterone levels rise, which can cause tenderness or sensitivity in your breast tissue. If you have a nipple piercing, that area may be even more tender or painful, especially if the piercing hasn't fully healed.

Scar Tissue Happens

Like any other piercing, nipple piercings can cause scar tissue to form, which is a normal side effect of piercings and something you must accept if you decide to get one.

Was It Worth It?

After my nipple piercings healed, I felt significantly more confident and empowered. I love trying different nipple rings to match my style. I’m not a big fan of wearing bras, and when my nipple baraells or rings show through my close-fitting clothing, I feel like all the pain and effort is worth it. Whether you get your nipple piercings for beauty, confidence, or self-expression, getting a nipple piercing is an amazing, heart-pounding experience. But be prepared for the challenges that come with it—remember, your comfort and safety always come first.