It’s not unusual to see a man shirtless. Many men around the world go shirtless, particularly when exercising. They could be hot, or they may simply want to flex their muscles. You could have taken a subconscious glimpse at their chest at that point. While some people have a strong chest, others have drooping chests and protruding nipples.
Puffy nipples in men is a type of condition in which the nipple and areola (the dark outer mark surrounding the nipple) expand or swell and protrude. Puffy nipples in men is caused by different reasons which you will find out about in this article.
Common Causes of Puffy Nipples
Hormonal imbalance: The two primary hormones that affect male breast tissue are estrogen and testosterone. Testosterone prevents male breast tissue from growing, while estrogen enhances it.
You may ask why the male body produces two opposing hormones. Why doesn’t the male body produce just testosterone, which inhibits the formation of breast tissue? This is because estrogens play their own role in the male body. Even in small amounts, estrogen promotes bone health, regulates libido, and maintains cognitive function. Thus, a lack of estrogen in the body would throw the male’s body off balance.
When the state of balance of estrogen and testosterone is interrupted, the nipple becomes larger and protrudes. This imbalance can be induced by puberty, aging, and several drugs.
Excess body fat: Excess body fat is another prevalent reason for men’s puffy nipples. Aromatase is an enzyme found in adipose or fat tissue. This enzyme is responsible for the conversion of testosterone into estrogen. When a male has excess body fat, there is more fat for the aromatase to convert into estrogen, which increases the overall level of estrogen in the body.
Gynecomastia: This medical condition is invariably associated with expansion of male breast tissue, resulting in the appearance of “man boobs“. However, this is not synonymous with puffy nipples. Puffy nipples refers to swollen nipples and areolas without enlargement of the male breast tissue itself.
Nonetheless, these two conditions can occur concurrently, but each has distinct characteristics. The major cause of gynaecomastia is an imbalance between the key hormones that comprise breast tissue: estrogen and testosterone.
There are two distinct cases of gynecomastia. The first occurs during puberty, when the male experiences short-term gynecomastia due to hormonal fluctuations. The second scenario occurs in old age, when body fat increases and estrogen levels rise.
Are There Other Less Common Causes of Puffy Nipples?
Yes, there are other, less prevalent causes of this condition, such as anabolic steroids, which promote muscle growth and sports performance.
Antidepressants and anti-androgen medications can disrupt hormone function as well. Although this is uncommon, an infection or allergic reaction can cause the nipples to swell and inflame.
Conclusion
Puffy nipples in men is a type of condition in which the nipple and areola (the black outer mark surrounding the nipple) become larger or puffy and protrude. Puffy nipples in men can be caused by a variety of circumstances, including hormone imbalance, extra body fat, gynecomastia, and other less common conditions, as described in the article.
However, if the nipple puffiness persists, causes you significant discomfort, has a lumpy texture within the breast, or discharges, you should consult a doctor. Going in for a diagnosis is an excellent first step toward an early treatment plan.
