If you're a man with puffy nipples it might just be a normal part of your anatomy or it could be a sign that something is up with your health. Here are the most common causes of puffy nipples in men.
It might just be what your nipples look like…
For some guys, puffy nipples are normal and natural – it’s just how your body is built. Just like people have different nose shapes or foot sizes, the amount and shape of tissue behind the nipple can vary from person to person. If there’s no pain, sudden changes or other symptoms, puffy nipples from natural tissue variation are usually nothing to worry about.
Excess body fat
Having excess body fat can cause puffy nipples in men. Fat tissue makes oestrogens, hormones that stimulate breast tissue growth. In some cases, fat can also build up under the nipples, making them stick out more. Weight loss can help.
Exercise and chafing
Activities that involve tight clothing and constant rubbing, like long-distance running, can irritate the nipples and cause them to swell. This kind of puffiness is usually temporary and goes away once the irritation stops or the skin has time to heal.
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Gynaecomastia
Gynecomastia is when male breast tissue grows larger than usual. It begins by feeling like a rubbery, firm mass under and around the nipple before it spreads out. Sometimes it only affects one side of your body but it usually affects both. This growing tissue can feel tender or painful to touch, and puffy nipples are also a symptom. More than half of boys experience gynecomastia during puberty, which generally disappears as they age, and one in three adult men develop it.
Gynaecomastia is caused by hormone imbalances, which can be caused by certain medications or other drug use, underlying medical conditions or other lifestyle factors. For one in four men with gynaecomastia, the cause is unknown. Treatments for gynecomastia include monitoring the condition to see if it goes away on its own, medication to balance out the hormones and, in some cases, surgery to remove excess breast tissue if the medications are not effective.
Hormone imbalance
Puffy nipples linked to gynaecomastia caused by a hormone imbalance in which the body produces more oestrogens than androgens. Elevated oestrogens can cause breast tissue to grow, which can make the nipples look swollen or puffy. Puffy nipples are common during puberty, when hormone levels change a lot, and it usually goes away on its own over time. Treatments can also involve medications to treat hormone imbalance.
Steroid or drug use
Certain drugs can disrupt the natural balance of hormones in your body, which can cause gynecomastia. These drugs include anabolic steroids, as well as some medications used to treat mental health conditions, heart issues and cancer. It’s important to speak with a doctor before making any changes to the medication you’re taking.
Underlying medical conditions
In some cases, puffy nipples can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Problems with the liver, kidneys, or thyroid can affect hormone levels in the body, which may lead to gynaecomastia. Certain tumours or genetic conditions can also cause hormone imbalances that result in puffy nipples. While this is less common, it’s important to talk to a doctor if the puffiness comes on suddenly, affects only one side, or is painful — just to rule out anything more serious.
