[Sportschosun, Jang Jong-ho] If a light brush against the nipple suddenly makes you feel anxious or brings on an unexplained sense of depression, it may be more than just a passing mood.
Recently, the term "Sad nipple syndrome (Sad Nipple Syndrome, nipple-stimulation-induced depressive syndrome)" has spread across overseas online communities, and women have been sharing similar experiences. Some described it as "a feeling like something deep inside my stomach is collapsing," "an unexplainable sense of guilt and sadness," or "a sudden wave of homesickness."
According to the New York Post, local medical professionals said the phenomenon may be linked to an actual physiological response.
They noted that it may be similar to Dysphoric Milk Ejection Reflex (D-MER), a mechanism known to affect breastfeeding women.
One obstetrician in the United States explained, "Some breastfeeding women experience a sudden, intense feeling of sadness or despair just before breast milk is released," adding that "this is a physiological phenomenon known as D-MER."
Medical experts say that when breast milk is released, levels of the hormone Oxytocin rise in the brain. Oxytocin is known to help with milk ejection, but at the same time, Dopamine, often called the "happiness hormone," may temporarily decrease. During this process, Prolactin secretion is also stimulated, and for some women, the drop in Dopamine may be felt as a sudden wave of depression or anxiety.
Another specialist explained, "The nipple and areola are areas with very high nerve density in the female body," adding that "after nipple stimulation, changes in certain neurotransmitters may be strongly felt."
Experts say these emotional changes usually begin suddenly but do not last long. Once neurotransmitter levels in the brain stabilize, the mood shift often disappears quickly. They also stressed that this is different from persistent postpartum depression or generalized anxiety disorder because it is a hormonal response to physical stimulation rather than a result of specific memories or thoughts.
However, research is still in its early stages. Similar symptoms have been reported among women without breastfeeding experience, but there is still a lack of clear clinical studies to explain them. Some studies have found that nipple stimulation can increase Oxytocin secretion even in non-breastfeeding women, raising the possibility of a similar Dopamine change, but a causal relationship has not yet been confirmed.
On the other hand, some experts point to psychological factors as a possible cause.
Lauren Luke, a breast cancer surgeon in the United States, analyzed that "stress levels, past experiences, individual neural sensitivity, and hormonal changes are likely to interact in complex ways." She also said that anxiety about body image or past experiences of violence could have an effect.
Experts recommend seeking professional counseling if these emotional changes occur repeatedly or strongly enough to affect daily life. In particular, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) may help people understand and regulate emotional responses linked to specific triggers, they said.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
