Do Nipple Clamps Hurt? Get the Pleasure Without the Pain

By Rachel Worthington / March 22, 2022

Nipple clamps are one of those are one of those things that make a lot of people go “eeeeeeek!” and reflexively grab their chests at their mention.

No judgement – our nipples are one of the most delicate and sensitive areas of the body, and we’ve got to look out for them!

But, in reality, do nipple clamps hurt?

Well, for most people, they shouldn’t. Whilst nipple clamps aren’t a one-size- or one-intensity-fits-all affair, the goal of most nipple clamps is not to hurt you. Instead, most give you a pinching sensation that results in a dullness or numbness rather than pain.

Those feelings are actually a by-product of what nipple clamps are designed to do.

By pinching your nipples, they reduce blood flow to the area, which is what causes you to lose some of the sensation in your nips.

But the real magic happens when you take them off!

Once you release the grip of the clamps, blood rushes back toward your nipples, which makes them incredibly sensitive.

Every sensation is suddenly amplified, and every touch, lick and puff of air can feel multitudes more amazing.

If you’re someone who finds that nipple stimulation turns you on in other areas, nipple clamps are a way to turn the dial up to one hundred.

Which Types of Nipple Clamps are Most Likely to Hurt?

As a general rule, the more intense you go with your nipple clamps, the more likely they are to start hurting.

Some nipple clamps have weights on them, like beads or pendants, that make them pull more on the nipple. These intensify both the numbness and the resulting rush. Others are simply designed to be heavier, like clover-style clamps, or super-extra-pinchy, like these talon clamps (‘eek’ warning for those!).

Do these nipple clamps always hurt? Well, it depends on how sensitive your nipples are, as well as your general pain tolerance. For some, more resilient folks, these might provide the perfect amount of pull, but for others it might feel more like getting a purple nurple.

Pain can also sometimes be the point! Pleasurable pain can be a kink for some people, and is often part of BDSM scenarios. A dom might use some painful nipple clamps to punish their subs, keeping their hands restrained so they can’t remove them themselves and making them beg for mercy. The relief and satisfaction that comes when they are finally removed can also be incredibly satisfying in itself.

Which Nipple Clamps Hurt the Least?

There are a whole variety of types of nipple clamp out there, and it can be intimidating to choose when you’re concerned for the wellbeing of your nips.

However, a good rule of thumb is to opt for nipple clamps that are adjustable.

This way, you control the intensity of your experience.

Here are the most common types of adjustable nipple clamps that you’ll see:

Tweezer Clamps

Fifty Shades of Grey The Pinch Nipple Clamps

If you’re a nipple clamp novice, tweezer clamps are perhaps the best way to go. These have long, tweezer-like arms and tips that go on your nipples. However, unlike tweezers, the arms naturally want to move apart from each other, rather than toward.

To find the perfect amount of pinch, they have a metal ring that you can move up or down the arms to tighten or loosen the grip.

Easy to put on and remove, tweezer clamps are ideal for those who are just getting used to the sensations of nipple clamps.

Alligator Clamps

Spartacus Broad Tip Beaded Nipple Clamps

If you only know one type of nipple clamp, it’s these bad boys. Alligator, or crocodile, clamps are fairly similar to tweezer clamps, in that they have adjustable arms with pads that squeeze the nipple to your desired level of pinch.

You adjust them via the screws on the sides, making them a bit more secure than tweezer clamps, and less likely to accidentally get looser or tighter mid-play – a good way to ensure your nipple clamps don’t hurt when you don’t want them to.

Clover Clamps

Bondage Boutique Squeeze and Tease Nipple Clamps

Clover clamps are also known as butterfly clamps, and definitely fall on the more intense end of the nipple clamp spectrum.

Originally from Japan, these clamps are larger and heavier than the types above. They also don’t usually have the little silicone or rubber pads on the tips to soften their grip. You adjust the tightness by pulling on the chain that connects them, which causes the little arms at the top to move closer together.

If you’re curious about trying out a more intense experience but still want control over the tightness, clover clamps are a great option to consider.

Still Too Much Pinch?

There is truly no shame in not wanting to risk potential nipple pain by wearing clamps.

Like every sex toy out there, nipple clamps aren’t for everyone, and that’s okay!

However, that doesn’t mean that you have to forgo nipple pleasure all together. Even if you tried all types from beginner nipple clamps from small nipple clamps to adjustable nipple clamps.

Did you know that there is a product that can provide all of the pleasure of nipple clamps with absolutely none of the pinch?

Nipple suckers draw blood to the area around your nipples by creating a gentle vacuum that pulls lightly on the skin. Think if someone was to gently suck on your nipples – same principle. There’s not even any numbness involved, just increased nipple sensitivity.

There are a few different types out there, but I recommend those that are made of flexible silicone that can form a gentle seal around your nipple and feel super soft on the skin. To use them, simply squeeze the bulb at the top, place on the nipple and then release to form the vacuum

Lovehoney Lucky Stars Glow-in-the-Dark Nipple Suckers

Tips for Making Sure Your Nipple Clamps Don’t Hurt

Here are some things to think about when trying out nipple clamps to ensure that you stay safe, comfortable and pain-free!

1. Don’t wear them too tight. This may seem like a no-brainer, but a common mistake people make when first using nipple clamps is to crank up the tightness too high. When we’re aroused, our pain tolerance can go up, and we can overdo things without realizing. If you’re in doubt, start looser and see how your body reacts.

2. Don’t wear them for too long. The tighter you have your nipple clamps, the less time they should stay on your nipples. You should check in on your nips after 15 minutes (or before) to see if they holding up okay. They may be a little pink, but any other colors like intense red, purple or blue mean that you should remove them immediately.

3. Use clamps with covered tips. Many nipple clamps have tips coated in soft silicone or rubber, which help protect the delicate skin of your nipples from being grazed or torn by the metal beneath. They also broaden the tips slightly, and more surface area means more of the pressure on your nipples is diffused, lessening the pinch.

4. Remove your clamps correctly. Tugging your nipple clamps off is a definite no-no, and can cause a lot of pain. When you’re ready to remove your clamps, loosen them completely before taking them off slowly. With super sensitive nipples, the key is to be as gentle as you can.

All different types of nipple clamps

Other types: Pussy clamps, Clit clamps,