Help identifying gynecomastia

[mcrios2]

Hello,
I am an eighteen year old college student with an embarrassingly flabby chest. I'm not certain if it's primarily adipose or glandular tissue.

I do have puffy nipples. However, when I press my nipples the right side feels soft, whereas the left side doesnt. Also my left side sags a little bit more because from the minimal exercise I do (pushups and such) I use my right side more dominantly. Could this indicate chest exercising/fat burning could remove my condition?

Can a doctor please advise me if they think this is primarily adipose or glandular so I could begin possibly think about talking to my parents about surgery? Or can my condition by made better by exercise? Which exercises should I do? I don't want to accentuate it more.

See this picture:



Thank you for your help.

[George Pope, M.D.]

It's hard to tell in a single view.  You may want to post some additional photos.
It looks like you're pretty slim; you probably have some glandular tissue causing the problem, especially given the fact that you say you have puffy nipples.  It certainly wouldn't hurt to exercise, although glandular tissue can sometimes look more prominent as the pec muscles grow in size.  Talk to your parents about an evaluation with a plastic surgeon.

Dr. Pope, MD

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

Agree with Dr. Pope.  First, you need to post more (and better exposed) photos.

However, your mention of puffy nipples is sufficient to indicate that there is at least some gland tissue present, which is necessary to produce a true puffy nipple.  Fat under a nipple does not necessarily produce a puffy nipple.

No problems with exercise -- it is always good for you.  But do not assume it will do anything for your gyne.

If you do decide on surgery, do your homework and find a gyne specialist.

Good luck!

Dr Jacobs

[Litlriki]

I agree with Drs. Jacobs and Pope regarding photos and likelihood of the presence of gynecomastia, which is most likely glandular in nature.  I'm only adding a comment that, although the photo isn't the best quality, one gets the sense that there is something "more" on the left side, consistent with your description.  Asymmetry is common, and this can be corrected to a large degree with a well-executed procedure.

Rick Silverman