For most of my life I didn’t know anything about the uncomfortable condition of puffy areolae.
It was about seven years ago that I initially noticed that some men had developed them when I made a career change late in life by qualifying as a Fitness Professional here in the UK. For the majority of my working life I had specialised in Sales, usually on a self-employed basis and had been used to working sixty hour weeks, year in, year out.
I had, nonetheless, always considered it vital to stay fit even when working these long hours.I figured, therefore, that I would be in a good position to assist and inspire middle-aged and older males to get fit in the Gym. My thoughts were right as I have since inspired many busy men and women to organise their time so that they could work out properly 3 to 4 times weekly, thereby increasing not only their physical condition but their mind too.
As I said,I had never really observed it before but a considerable number of men placed in my care in the gym appeared to have chest problems. At first I presumed that the problem was simply an excess of fatty tissue and insufficient muscular tissue that was the issue but when some of them told me that they were suffering from tender, puffy areolas as well, I decided to research the whole matter of the feminisation of mens’ chests. I discovered that this problem of puffy areolas is one of the signs of gynecomastia, is more usually labelled ‘puffy nipples’ and that men have suffered with it for literally thousands of years. There are, in fact, paintings and statues which show that the Ancient Egyptians also had this problem.
Often gynecomastia gives rise to an excess of glandular tissue all over an individual’s breast but just as often the build-up is simply under the nipple area. This makes the areolas take on a dome-like appearance which is not very masculine and of course becomes a rather embarrassing issue for any individual.
I first came across the puffy areola problem with a gentleman over 60 years of age and then another in his fifties, so my conclusion was that this kind of problem was related to age. I quickly discovered that it was nothing of the sort! As soon as I had gained the confidence of the members in the club I had one or two younger males asking for advice about similar problems.
More Internet research highlighted the fact that many young men in the 14 to 16 age group were writing in to Forums with the condition. What they should have been doing was telling their doctor first and getting a professional diagnosis but men in the USA and UK appear loathe to actually make an appointment with their physician! It ought to by now be crystal clear that any man concerned about his chest ought to get his physician’s diagnosis first.
Many individuals who might think that they have gynecomastia don’t in fact have it but due to being overweight or obese, they have something called pseudogynecomastia which is just an excess of fatty tissue across the breasts. When the individual has been informed by his physician that this is what he has, then he can get rid of this reasonably quickly as long as he has the right attitude and a good Fitness Advisor. The fatty tissue will, of course, quickly be replaced with lean mass.
It must be said that if an individual really has puffy areolas, then it is likely that his problem is gynecomastia, irrespective of his actual weight. Juveniles invariably grow out of it once their hormonal balance is restored, usually in two or three years.
All other guys should undertake all tests, evaluations etc. that their doctor recommends to ascertain the underlying cause or causes. I have detailed the main causes below:
- Puberty, with the upset that this gives rise to in a boys’ hormonal equilibrium. Thankfully 93% of adolescents will see their problem go away within 3 years.
- Conversely, one of the effects of growing older is a decrease in testosterone production giving rise to gynecomastia.
- It has been proven that some prescribed drugs, medication, creams and ointments do change the functioning of the liver which gives rise to gynecomastia .
- In some younger guys the consumption of meat or milk from estrogen-treated animals has been proven to trigger gynecomastia.
- Smoking cannabis regularly sometimes leads to the development of gynecomastia as it affects the male and female hormones involved.
- It surprises many bodybuilders when they start developing feminine characteristics on their breast area after indulging in anabolic steroids for some time. This is the result of a process called ‘aromatization’ which transforms the excess testosterone into the female hormone estrogen.
- Men who resort to consuming excess alcohol may well find that they are developing gynecomastia simply because the androgen/estrogen balance has been destroyed.
- Individuals with hermaphroditism who have male and female organs.
- Kleinfelter’s Syndrome, an unusual condition where a man has an extra ‘X’ chromosome.
- Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia, a name applied to a number of disorders causwed by various enzyme deficiencies.
Regardless of whether medical treatment is needed to help restore hormonal equilibrium but particular nutritional and lifestyle adjustments, together with a focussed workout program, will be mandatory in helping an individual to develiop a proper man’s chest and kiss goodbye to his breasts and puffy areolae.
I did find a few alternative systems which claim to eliminate the puffy nipple issue and can therefore suggest one for you to look at. Cliff Manchaster, who developed the Chest Coach System, had been affected for 16 years with puffy areolae before developing his own curative system and, as a result, surprising his own physician. Specific workouts together with dietary, herbal and lifestyle guides underpin the program, which has many satisfied users.