Puffy nipples - mild gynecomastia?

[ems0011]

Hey all, I just had a question. I am a 27 year old male, thin (150 lbs, 6 ft tall), and over the past year or so my nipples have been getting progressively more swollen and puffy. I suspect this is mild gynecomastia. I did not have this in puberty, it is only a recent thing. I don't have very much body fat at all, it appears to be located just below the nipples.

I assume I'm correct about this likely being mild gynecomastia? As for a cause of it, I was also wondering if excessive caffeine use could cause this since caffeine is estrogenic? I am in professional school, and I do drink a lot of caffeine to study. If this is the case, and if it will regress if I stop, then I will cut caffeine from my diet immediately.

But if that is not the case, or it will not regress - is surgery my only option? I have not been able to find much information that I consider to be reliable on the subject.

[lingy21]

Hi,
If you can feel a lump of hard tissue behind the nipple then its generally gynecomastia. However your best bet is to go to your local doctors and speak to them about it. Iv never really heard of it occurring naturally at the age of 25 but I'm not an expert on the matter.

[ems0011]

Hi,
I went to the doctor - she actually didn't know anything about it - had no clue. I've been meaning to seek a second opinion. I've become aware that if you have it during puberty, it is likely to go away with time - but if it doesn't then you are stuck with it. However, I didn't have it during puberty and only developed it recently. So is it still likely to go away if the inciting cause is found and attended to?

Also yeah, there is a lump of hard tissue right behind the nipple, about a cm in diameter.

Thanks for your time.

[lingy21]

I think the experts in the fields are called endocrinologists maybe if you can find one local to you, you would be able to book an appointment and they could help you out?
how long have you had it for?
did you experience any symptoms? generally you can feel a sharp pain behind the nipple when it begins to form.
if your really worried your best bet is to book a consultation with a plastic surgeon who is experienced in gynecomastia, if you have a picture of your chest you can upload it on the website and you may get a professionals opinion on it.

[lingy21]

in terms of preventing it Im not to sure about it but i know drugs like nolvadex and letro block estrogen and prevent the breast tissue forming, and in some cases (letro) can even reverse gynecomastia and is alot cheaper than surgery.
Just depends if you can get your hands on any.

[ems0011]

Hi again, thanks for taking the time to reply. I've had it for about a year, gradually getting worse. No pain when it started at all. I'll try to upload a pic. Do the drugs that you mentioned actually reduce breast tissue, or just prevent it from getting worse?

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

It is unusual but entirely possible for gyne to develop spontaneously at your age.  Just to be sure that you are not missing anything, it would first be advisable to check out any possible causes.  Thus look at any medications or supplements that you might be taking.  Then see an endocrinologist just to check out all your hormones.  And finally, see a regular internist to make sure there are no other possible causes.  When and if all outside causes have been checked out, and if your puffy nipples still persists, then you should see a gyne specialist for evaluation as well.

Good luck.

Dr Jacobs

[lingy21]

I've never actually used them so personally i dont know, however i know nolvadex is used to prevent it further where as letro there have been people who have said it reversed their condition when it was in its mild stages, but there's no harm in trying it £50 for a few pills or a few thousand for the surgery depending on where your situated. However they are both prescription drugs so you will need to see a doctor about them or find someone who supplies them (generally people who take steroids) .