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What cause foul nipple taste?

Why do my nipples have a bad onion aftertaste? I've noticed this question has been asked frequently on the web but there hasn't been a single serious medical response, quite frustrating. I consider myself to have good to great hygene, past and present partner(s) have also said so. I am not pregnant and do not have children (most posts relate this to lactating). I can taste the onion in my boyfriends mouth after intimate action and it's happened with every partner I've ever had so I know it's me. What causes this and how can it be fixed if at all?
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Avatar universal
I don’t know if I’m correct but I feel like it could be because of the same reason your armpits sweat and smell. I once licked my armpit cuz why not and it tasted the same so I believe nothing is wrong and it’s normal and some guys actually like the taste cuz it lingers in their mouth for a while and they know it’s the taste of *******.
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Boobs*
That could be.  I think if you have a nipple discharge, it would have a taste but I do not know (haven't tasted that).  They say lactation is sweet.  But yes, I could see your theory being true.  Good thought.
Avatar universal
Cancer?  I have had this "nacho/Doritos" smell from the time I found out I enjoyed nipple play to age 43, both before and after having children and breastfeeding so that didn't have any bearing on it.  I smelled it on my partner's breath and in the air.  It was very strong.  I've also had very strong BO, with a similar onion smell and used prescription strength deodorant constantly.  At age 43, I was diagnosed with Lobular Breast Cancer.  It is breast cancer of the milk-producing lobes, not the milk ducts which is more common.  I had a mastectomy of that breast and not the other which was clear.  Since then, the remaining breast has had no odor whatsoever, and my BO is completely gone, despite switching to weak all-natural deodorant.  In my personal experience, it seems like cancer might have be the cause.  Lobular breast cancer is invisible on mammograms. The cancer was extensive in that breast and there was no saving it.  It was 5mm from my chest wall, 5mm from my lymph, and all the way to the nipple.  It was there growing for many years and there was no way to detect it until it became so extensive, my nipple turned just slightly.  I just find it interesting that the smell from my nipples and my armpits went away once the cancerous breast was removed.  My remaining breast and nipple get twice the attention now, and there is never any smell whatsoever. I'm even wondering if both didn't smell before, and I just never realized it because both always got attention.  
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Wow!  That is impactful and helpful information!!  I never have read or heard that before but definitely something to be aware of.  Glad your cancer was successfully treated.  Thank you very much for sharing this!
Avatar universal
Well various foods can create smells....onions of course, garlic and other foods. Bacteria particularly in the vagina can create smells as can bacteria on the skin. The type of contraception you use might affect vaginal taste. I can fairly will say that this probably does not represent a harmful condition. Infection in the vagina should be considered. Systemic illnesses such as diabetes can be considered but these can all be ruled out in one check up with OB or primary care. Do not forget that whatever you eat, will reflect on the content from your mammary gland which comes out of your nipple. Example, when you breast feed your baby, the same happens to your milk.  There is also an other theory which underwire bras could be the cause of that problem. By wearing underwire bras, you are cutting off your mammary glands, your lymphatic and your circulatory system.  In order to see a change, you should look to correct these problems. The fact that it has been happening a year also goes against an acute, infectious problem. So, diet, contraception, have a check up, some blood work. Good luck.
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Avatar universal
Been looking for answers to this as well! My boyfriend recently told me my breasts always has a taste to them but I don’t know what to tell him that causes them to have an onion like taste. Even after I get out the shower and we get intimate I can taste and smell his mouth like onions. All I can think is maybe the soap I’m using? Maybe I should be using an unscented one instead of a strong scented one..
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Avatar universal
Still no answer, to all it's 2018 and my wife hasn't been pregnant, still she tastes like onions
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As I have previously stated in this thread, "The montgomery glands of the areola remain active regardless of any past or present activity of gestation." Specifically; pregnancy does not have to be a factor in the production of keratin in the montgomery glands. Neither does gender. To minimize the presence of keratin on the areola, try soaking in a bath and washing the area with soap prior to periods of mutual arousal.
Please keep in mind that the smells and tastes of our bodies are a result of natural processes and should not typically be cause for alarm (there are some obvious exeptions). If something about your partner's body sent and taste is less than flattering, use common sense and avoid it during intimacy. On the other hand, if you really dig onion flavor, experiment with ketchup and mustard and all the other basic condiments :-)
Avatar universal
You are tasting keratin. It is a sebaceous fluid contained in the Montgomery glands of the areola. This substance works as a lubricant during breastfeeding. That would be its primary purpose in nature. Its secondary purpose would be to keep Daddy from stealing all of Mama's milk from the baby. It doesn't sound like it's working given the amount of persons on the internet seeking to have that question answered.
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3 Comments
What would be the answer when the woman never had children and it still occurs?
The montgomery glands of the areola remain active regardless of any past or present activity of gestation.
I have tasted this with my girlfriend of 5 years first girl I’ve ever had this issue with, could this keratin damage my throat at all because it has been sore since I encountered the taste, and has been a couple months since. Just wondering
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