sore nipples and missing period

[datta.livejournal.com]

I have two possibly-related concerns. #1, and this isn't really much of a problem unless it somehow explains #2, my period is several days late. I'm certainly not complaining, and I'm not always perfectly regular, and there's no chance whatever that I'm pregnant. (Queer, and a virgin.)

But my nipples are really, really sore. Like, they hurt like hell just sitting here. Also, they're really hard all the time, which is very unusual: I thought maybe it was chafing from my shirt, but they hurt with nothing on them. The rest of my breast is fine, even the aureola, but the nipples themselves are throbbing.

Is this something I should be worried about, and is there anything I can do about it? Suggestions greatly appreciated.