New with questions

[pjsb]

I think I might have a slight case of puffy nipple.. but its one of those that can look perfectly normal at times when I'm in a colder environment.

I'm 21, 6'1" about 14-15% bf, 210 lbs, in shape.  I lift hard 4-5 times a week.  However, I think I might have just a slight case.  My first question is, what exactly am I feeling for when I examine myself.  I hear "lump" or "tissue", but how do I discern between regular fat and gyno?  What is the consistency?  When I lift my arm overhead and press around my nipple, I don't feel lump or anything, and my chest is flat.  But when I'm just sitting there, I can grab "tissue" that resides in the lower portion of my chest.  How do I tell if its gyno or fat?

I'm working in getting pictures up.

[AGOF]

hey pjsb,

I have the same kinda problem as you, it feels/looks like theres nothing there if i stick out my chest or raise my arm, and yes i too can get a handful of them though if i bend/hunch over. I'm hoping to get a solution too, sorry I couldn't help though. Someone please let us know if you can help.

[DrBermant]

I think I might have a slight case of puffy nipple.. but its one of those that can look perfectly normal at times when I'm in a colder environment.

I'm 21, 6'1" about 14-15% bf, 210 lbs, in shape.  I lift hard 4-5 times a week.  However, I think I might have just a slight case.  My first question is, what exactly am I feeling for when I examine myself.  I hear "lump" or "tissue", but how do I discern between regular fat and gyno?  What is the consistency?  When I lift my arm overhead and press around my nipple, I don't feel lump or anything, and my chest is flat.  But when I'm just sitting there, I can grab "tissue" that resides in the lower portion of my chest.  How do I tell if its gyno or fat?

I'm working in getting pictures up.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to distinguish just what is causing the problem.  Gynecomastia male breasts can be fat, gland, or most commonly a combination of both.  Sometimes skin and sagging tissues can be a factor.  Pseudo Gynecomastia is supposed to be fat only gynecomastia.  The problem with that "classification" is that in almost every case of gynecomastia I have seen there is some component of gland.  This gland can be very small, but it is present almost all the time.  So do you have Pseudo gynecomastia when there is a 1%, 10%, 50%, or 90% deformity from fat?  Reality just does not work that way.

Defining the problem with photographs sometimes can help.  However, it is impossible to tell from photographs if the deformity is from fat or gland. The dynamic images, of my standard set of images can show a region that compresses differently.  Even clinical examination differentiation can be difficult.

Fat tends to be soft, gland tends to be firm.  Fingers of gland often dissect between fingers of fat.  Look at this drawing and move your mouse over the arrows.  However, gland can be soft and fat firm confusing the picture.  Gland tends to be located under the nipple and pinching pressure can sometimes tether to the nipple pulling it in.

Men with excessive fat do tend to have certain contour issues.  Check out this link about Sumo Wrestlers.  Men tend to carry excessive weight in their chest and stomach.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Chest Sculpture

[pjsb]

Dr. Bermant,

After viewing your drawings on your site I think I have a better understanding of everything.  My question now is, could topical fatloss products such as Skulpt or Lipoderm be effective in cutting down on Pseudo gyno (just fat or even fat with some threads of gland)?  Because I know they won't do anything for the gland, but since I really don't think I have much glandular tissue at all (I'm not a doctor, but I also know what I feel) I'm hoping it might help a little.  I have heard people say that it can help when used with proper dieting.