Gynecomastia or Pseudogynecomastia?

**Steel_UK** · July 13th, 2009, 06:21 AM

This has been bugging me for some time now, but I hate talking, thinking or seeing it.

Basically I'm not sure if I have Gynecomastia or Pseudogynecomastia. My nipples are puffy-like but when they erect they look normal. I think my bodyfat percentage is around 15%. Meanwhile there is a harder substance behind the nipple area, it's not directly behind the nipple but right at the muscle/just above the muscle area so there's about maybe up to five millimeters that I can feel between the nipple surface and this harder substance that it feels like normal skin. Saying that, I can also feel the same up and to the side near the nipple, at the side of the pec basically which is why I'm not sure if it's just Pseudogynecomastia.

Normally after a straight after a hot shower my nipples look normal too.

I only began noticing this when I began to develop a chest, because of how they look when puffy and look a little "outward" looking like a woman's breasts, when looking side on. I got some micky taking over it all too at the gym while getting the bench shirt on.

I'm nineteen and have not taken any steroids at all. I'm not on any medication either. Both nipples are the same.

Is this something that I might still grow out because of being nineteen? Or is it something I might have to get seen to about if it continues to bother me?

Please help, because it doesn't do my confidence any good.

**tidalwave** · July 13th, 2009, 10:05 AM

Sounds like it could be one of those. How large is the harder substance relative to the nipple?

I would have a doctor check it, personally. Causes could be any number of things, every person's hormonal profile is different at varying ages. It seems like it could be treated better if caught early. Unfortunately, I thought I'd grow out of mine, but some remains 12 years later. =/ Not much, but I'm a bit self-conscious about wearing tight Under Armour shirts at times. I'd raise your concern to your doctor.

**pliny_2001** · July 13th, 2009, 11:00 AM

A few guesses: are you really 15%? Or randomly guessing a number? B/c I think that pseudo should really just go away when one is leaner (isn't it just code for deposits of fat behind the nipple/on the pec?) So if you're chubby, lose some fat. If it doesn't go away, you've got gyno. If it does, you _had_ pseduo, but it went away when you got lean.

Just guesses - I've never had gyno of any type, so I don't know what the fat deposits look/feel like.

**Steel_UK** · July 13th, 2009, 11:07 AM

Well it's what a friend (female personal trainer friend) reckons I am without having done an actual test. I may be 20%, but seem to fluctuate quite a bit from one week to another! I regularly do cardio, cycling, running, boxing type training so I think to cut down any further than I am now means I'd need to make some serious changes to my diet.

Quote:

Originally Posted by tidalwave

Sounds like it could be one of those. How large is the harder substance relative to the nipple?

Just a few mm smaller in diameter and maybe about three mm in depth at a guess from feeling.

But it does feel that it could extend up the edge of the pec so I'm not sure what it is?

**wildstang** · July 13th, 2009, 08:43 PM

going with the advice of getting it checked out if really that worried about it. sedentary lifestyles previously (couch potato) then deciding after the weight gain to lean up, during the lazy spell the body dosent produce as much testosterone as being active raising estrogen levels and depositing fat quicker. my nephew had gotten to the point of actually looking like he had tits untill he got teased enough to lose weight. he never completly got rid of them but made a huge improvement in reducing them, with plenty of excercise. they wont go away anytime quick unless you have them surgically removed. just gonna have to work that much harder at reducing body fat if it bothers you that badly.

**Steel_UK** · July 14th, 2009, 07:31 AM

I was the opposite, being super skinny and wasn't very athletic for many years.

I think I am/was being a bit paranoid as a good friend of mine (female trainer) reckons I haven't got it, and last night I realised that I think I was grabbing too tightly and actually grabbing hold of part of my pec or the fat just above it. I feel so embarrassed.

So it's probably the fake ones, from body fat. oh well that's a relief I suppose! Weird how different people's bodies deposit different quantities in different areas.

**Steel_UK** · October 25th, 2009, 07:08 PM

I'm just raising this topic again.

I read somewhere that excess test can induce estrogen that can cause the "puffy nipples" to occur. With having had a very unactive lifestyle for the better part of my teens, not fat but was very very skinny, and got quite involved in sports in the past couple of years, is it possible that this is what has caused it? Or rather, also, slightly delayed er.. "puberty" symptoms (I hate saying that!), because most if not everyone I know of my age have to do a full shave but I only developed the tash around June? Is this feasible that I delayed some things by not being active and producing much test during my earlier teenage years? If so, what are the chances that it'll go away?

Just to confirm that I do have a small solid lump underneath the areolas. It's not painful, it's just like a small pebble under the areola.

I'd also like to say it's a topic I avoid as much as possible and just hope it'll go away, but I'm not sure that it is or will. It's incredibly embarrassing for me.

I'm also not sure about going to the Doctor over this because over here in the UK I'd end up going through the NHS most likely, who I imagine would just turn a blind eye. Plus I'm embarrassed to be seen by the local doctors for this too.

**pliny_2001** · October 27th, 2009, 12:21 AM

The way I understand it is that test aromatizes to estrogen at some rate predetermined by an individual's genetic/hormonal/whatever profile (this is a good thing, b/c men and women need both testosterone and estrogen). Increases in test would therefore cause some degree of increase in estrogen; steroid users take aromatase inhibitors to stop their body from producing the estrogen that the body would need to 'balance out' their new, higher test levels. I have no idea if AI would be used for hormonal gyno, and such opinions are way beyond my pay grade.

But it makes sense that naturally producing more test would lead to some degree of 'elevated' estrogen. My vague knowledge is that it's a surgical issue, but maybe it's best for endocrinologists. I also have no idea what the NHS is like, so no help there.

Don't be embarrassed about it; it's not as if there's any blame to lay about. But keep us informed; any info is very interesting and helpful to everyone else who reads the board.