How Can I Get Rid Of My Puffy Nipples?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am a fairly muscular 20 year old guy and am a junior in college. I starting lifting weights about three years ago and, while my chest has gotten bigger, so has my nipples. I have to admit that I have been taking muscle building supplements until about six months ago. My nipples are puffy and stick out so when I am wearing shirts it looks horrible. I really need a fix for this so that I can go to the beach again and feel comfortable taking my shirt off. Even with muscles having puffy nipples does not make my chest attractive. I am at about 12% body fat now.

A: There is no question that there are certain stimulants that can cause breast tissue development and this is not the first time that I have seen it in bodybuilding young men. It is good that you have stopped taking the supplements even though that will not cause the breast tissue to regress. This will require surgical excision done through a lower areolar incision. Most likely they are lumps of firm breast tissue behind the nipple-areolar complex that is causing it to be pushed out and puffy. After surgery you will need to refrain from weight lifting for about 2 to 3 weeks to prevent the development of a seroma (fluid build-up) in the space where the gynecomastia was removed.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana