Understanding Puffy Nipples: Causes, Solutions, and What to Expect

by Dr. Nazarian@DoctorNazarian

Are you embarrassed by your puffy nipples? You don’t have to be. You may think that they are odd and uncommon. Truth is, they are not as rare as you think. Puffy nipples are found in both men and women!

In a patient with puffy nipples, you will notice the nipple or areola protruding from the skin away from the chest’s normal curve. These nipples form a mound and are prominently elevated beyond the level of the chest.

It is common in puberty, owing to the hormonal changes associated with puberty. Most times, it reduces and goes back to normal as the patient leaves the age of puberty.

For a man, it can be unpleasant if he wants to have a flat, muscular, more masculine chest.

Causes of Puffy Nipples

Many people with puffy nipples are burdened with the question—why is my nipple puffy? There are several reasons for puffy nipples and we will explore them below.

Family History

Like many health conditions and body features, genes are implicated in puffy nipples. If a family member has puffy nipples, the chances are higher that you will have it. Keeping this in mind will aid in dealing with potential issues associated with gynecomastia and puffy nipples.

Hormones

This is a cardinal cause of puffy nipples. When there are certain changes in hormone levels, there can be the development of puffy nipples. You will thus notice it in dynamic hormonal situations like menstruation or pregnancy. Men with low testosterone levels and increased estrogen levels also present with puffy nipples.

Weight Gain

As you gain weight, some fatty tissues may lodge under the nipple, giving it a puffy appearance. There is also the issue of hormonal imbalance in overweight people. Men who are overweight have shown reduced levels of testosterone and more estrogen than is found in men with normal weight.

Disease Conditions

Certain medical conditions come with hormonal fluctuations. These will produce puffy breasts. On your first visit to Nazarian Plastic Surgery, our experts will explore potential disease conditions that can precipitate puffy nipples. Treating these conditions will resolve the puffy nipples.

Puberty

During puberty, many hormonal changes take place. Some teenagers will develop puffy nipples during this phase. The puffy nipples will usually resolve after puberty.

Medications and Recreational Drugs

Certain medications can cause puffy nipples. Drugs like steroids, cannabis, etc will cause inflammatory processes and can lead to puffy nipples. Anti-androgen medications and drugs to treat the prostate will cause a reduction in testosterone and lead to breast puffiness. Alcohol also exacerbates puffiness.

Correcting Puffy Nipples

Many claim there are natural ways to treat puffy nipples. Exercise and diet play a role in its treatment also. However, the definitive way to treat puffy nipples is via surgery. It is very effective and will help you look your best and regain confidence.

The correction of puffy nipples starts with Proper consultation with our Experts. They will explore your health condition, desires, and eligibility for the procedure. The next step is to decide the right method for you. The procedures available are—Tuberous Breast Correction Surgery, gynecomastia surgery, mastectomy, and liposuction.

We will discuss the various potential procedures below.

Tuberous Breast Correction Surgery

Tuberous Breast Correction Surgery corrects tubular breast—conical, pointy breasts owing to puffy nipples. During the surgery, an incision is made around the areola, then the extra breast tissue is removed and the skin reshaped. This procedure can be done with a breast augmentation or on its own depending on the severity of the puffy nipples and the patient’s desires.

Gynecomastia Surgery

This surgery is another common treatment option for puffy nipples. It treats gynecomastia in men who are embarrassed and less confident because of it. Because gynecomastia usually comes with puffy nipples. This surgical procedure helps remove extra breast tissue and contour the chest, flatting the nipples.

Mastectomy

Mastectomy is another procedure that can treat puffy nipples. It involves removing extra breast tissue and reshaping the nipple to give you a flat nipple that follows your chest’s curves.

Liposuction

In liposuction, the surgeon makes an incision and inserts a cannula. The cannula removes excess fat from the areas around the nipple. This procedure is usually done with other surgical procedures.

Are There Natural Remedies for Puffy Nipples?

The Internet is laden with claims of natural remedies for puffy nipples. There are several diet plans and exercises that are supposed to flatten.

However, there is no evidence these are effective in actually treating puffy nipples.

There is no harm in watching your diet and exercising.

Don’t forget that the definitive treatment for puffy breasts is surgery. If you want to fix your puffy nipple permanently, you should book a consultation with the experts at Nazarian Plastic Surgery.

Lifestyle Modification to Reduce Puffy Nipples

Puffy Nipples have a wide range of causes. Thus, the first line of action in managing puffy nipples is to identify the cause of the puffy nipples.

If it is caused by excess weight gain, then targeted exercises and the right diet can reduce the puffiness of the nipples.

Let’s explore exercises you can do and dietary adjustments to make to improve the appearance of your puffy nipples.

Exercise

Targeted exercises are important in treating puffy nipples. The exercises will target muscles in the pectoral region. These ‘chest’ muscles will tighten and tone. This reduces the puffy look of the nipple and makes it appear more flat.

Some of the exercises to do are:

Push-ups
Incline bench cable flies
Overhead presses
Dips
Low cable flies
Bench presses
Bodyweight flies
Bent-forward cable crossovers

Start by trying 1-3 sets daily. Each set should contain 9-12 reps(repetitions). Grow from here over time and add more sets and reps. Plan for these sessions to last at least 20 minutes per day. Work out 2-3 times weekly. Ensure you take at least a day to rest. You don’t want to wear the muscles out too much and risk injury.

Don’t just do one exercise type. Combine several exercises per day to affect different muscle groups and have more results.

Working on the back and shoulder muscles alongside the chest muscles helps create symmetry and improve posture. It produces better results.

Add cardio to your exercise schedule. Take up exercises like jogging, rowing, etc. It makes it easier to burn fat and build your chest muscles.

Diet

Remember our rule on choosing the right treatment option for puffy nipples? We must identify the cause.

If the puffy nipples are because of fat and excess estrogen, then dieting can play a role in improving the puffy nipples.

Here are some things to do:

Eat more fruits and vegetables
Limit Sodium intake
Stop eating heavily processed food
Cut off soy products and grains

Everybody’s body is different and they have distinct dietary requirements. Discuss with your doctor to identify the proper diet plan for you.

If low testosterone levels cause your puffy nipples, here are some foods that are high in testosterone and low in estrogen:

Low-fat milk
Garlic
Ginger
Egg yolk
Blueberries
Beans
Oysters
Shellfish
Macadamia nuts
Beef
Tuna

Herbal Medications and Supplements

Some supplements may help with puffy nipples. Many of them work by raising the body’s testosterone levels.

Some of them are:

Ashwagandha
Tribulus Terrestris
Ginger
Fenugreek

Many other supplements have been said to also reduce puffy nipples. These are not proven to work and are only anecdotes.

They include:

Milk Thistle
Turmeric
Red Clover
Passionflower
Dandelion

Because the FDA doesn’t regulate supplements, they are subject to controversy and contentions. If you will use any supplements, discuss them with your doctor and ensure they are good for you.

Puffy Nipples FAQ

1: How do you describe puffy nipples?

Puffy nipples describe when the nipples and their surrounding areolar are elevated away from the normal curve of the breast. It is commonly caused by hormonal imbalances. It is found in both males and females even though it is found more in women.

2: Are puffy nipples a problem?

Puffy nipples are very common in both males and females. They are caused by several factors including weight gain, hormonal imbalances, and genetics. They can be embarrassing for those who have it. However, it doesn’t call for alarm. It is simply extra fat or breast tissue behind the nipples and areola.

3: How do you make puffy nipples go down?

Puffy nipples are definitively treated by surgery. However, some claim that targeted exercises and proper dieting are beneficial in treating puffy nipples. There is no FDA approval for the use of these supplements. The efficacy of drug supplements is subject to opinions. The use of supplements in treating puffy nipples is mostly anecdotal.

4: How much does Tuberous Breast Correction Surgery cost?

This is the surgical treatment for puffy nipples. It usually costs between $5,000-15,000. Different factors determine the cost—whether it is one or two breasts, the expertise of the surgeon, and the geographic location.

5: Does diet affect puffy nipples?

Yes. Diet can affect your puffy nipples. Puffy Nipples can be affected by excess fat or hormonal imbalance. Taking care of your diet will help reduce fat. Avoiding foods that have high testosterone levels and low estrogen levels will also help with the puffy nipples.