All men produce some amount of estrogen, but when you produce more than the “normal” amount, that may lead to the development of excess breast tissues.
This affects 1 out of 2 teen boys, and 2 out of 3 men above 50 years old, when hormone levels are affected by sexual development, thyroid problems, or as a side effect of some medications.
There are 4 grades in gynecomastia classification, with the mildest being just a local swelling around the nipple area, and the most severe showing a pronounced rounded appearance similar to a female breast.
Both conditions display similar physical traits an enlarged, chubby chest. The difference lies in what’s underneath.
Gynecomastia is caused by the overdevelopment of glandular tissues that comprise fat tissues and glands, mostly as a result of hormonal imbalance and pseudo-gynecomastia is caused by excess fat accumulation.
Only your doctor can confirm what you really have through a clinical assessment.
Pseudogynecomastia: Types of Man Boobs
Genetically, men tend to accumulate fat in the chest and abdomen area – your arms and legs may look slim, but you bulk up in your torso.
When fat builds up behind and around the breast area, the chest appears puffy and swollen, hence the name man-boobs.
This is clinically known as lipomastia, adipomastia, or pseudogynecomastia.
The more estrogen you have, the more your body tends to store fat.
Interestingly, fat also causes your body to produce the aromatase enzyme, which can convert testosterone into estrogen and slow down your metabolism.
Unfortunately, a lower metabolism will also mean you burn less fat, and this triggers a vicious cycle where you store more and more fat in your chest area and worsens your hormonal imbalance.
However, one clear sign that you have real true gynecomastia is you can feel a firm mound of glandular tissue around your areola area and painful to touch.
For some, the nipple may even feel sensitive. But if it’s pseudogynecomastia, the entire breast is evenly enlarged.
Ratio imbalance of low testosterone and high estrogen can lead to man-boobs gynecomastia. Here are 8 reasons why your testosterone level may drop!
Obesity
Obesity decreases testosterone levels, causing estrogen to take over and cause enlargement of the breast tissue.
Testosterone Replacement Therapy
We know this may sound ironic, but Testosterone Replacement Therapy can also cause some temporary breast growth.
Anabolic Steroids
Anabolic steroid is a synthetic version of testosterone that may convert to estrogen. The side effects are way worse than regular testosterone treatment.
RELATED: The Two Types of Man-boobs According to Science
Plant Oils & Natural Grooming Products
Certain plant oil ingredients contain estrogen-like properties such as lavender oil.
Hair Loss Drugs & Other Medications
Anti-hair loss drugs can cause dihydrotestosterone, which has an anti-testosterone effect.
Severe Liver or Kidney Diseases
Liver disease can cause protein synthesis disruption and even overproduction. This may affect a protein (SHBG) that binds testosterone.
Tumors
Some lung or testicular tumors can make a specific type of hormone (HCG) that while it stimulates testosterone production, it also converts testosterone to estrogen.
Age
Unfortunately, gynecomastia gets less uncommon with age (decreased testosterone levels).
These are the Cause of Man Boobs
Also Check Out: Gynecomastia Man-boobs How to Get Rid of Painful Moobs
Why suffer the ignominy of living with gynecomastia aka man boobs when help is readily available?
Chiseled from countless bench presses, nothing quite frames a proud chest like a pair of well-developed pectoral muscles to highlight a gym-trained physique.
For the majority of us, this can be achieved with enough hard work at the gym and through watching our diet.
But in some instances, difficulty in developing an ideal physique doesn’t come from want of trying, but from a medical condition beyond our control – gynecomastia (commonly referred to as man boobs or moobs).
Get Rid Of Painful Moobs: Gynecomastia, An Unwanted Condition
Yes, men can have breasts too. Unfortunately, what looks great on women can be embarrassing for the opposite sex.
Enlarged breasts are typically triggered by hormonal imbalances – when our bodies produce more estrogen than testosterone.
While both female and male hormones occur naturally in our bodies, too much of the former can cause glandular tissue to be enlarged, resulting in unwanted breast development like man boobs. It can be made worse with fat deposits due to weight gain.
Beyond the anxiety that comes from trying to manage a growing build-up of fat in and around the chest, things get a lot more serious when there is tenderness and swelling of the glands in that area.
RELATED: FAQ – Are My Man Boobs Actually a More Serious Medical Condition?
Your “Breast” Friend, the Gynecomastia surgery
Gynecomastia can be a chesty issue that is extremely uncomfortable, painful, and confidence-sapping. However, it can be easily solved with surgery. Gynecomastia surgery procedure has a short recovery time, so patients spend less time healing and more time enjoying their newfound confidence.
Gynecomastia surgery not only permanently removes excess glandular tissues, but it also sculpts the chest area, leaving a more defined and masculine appearance.
Gynecomastia is an embarrassing condition that can occur in boys and men at any time. Sometimes it’s caused by weight gain, other times it’s caused by hormones – every time it’s unwanted. Getting rid of this condition may not be as cut and dry as you may think. Let’s lay down the basics.
Gynecomastia – What is it?
Gynecomastia is a condition in which there is a buildup of fatty tissue in the male breasts and can oftentimes include painful glandular tissue in the chest. This creates the appearance of what is commonly known as “man boobs.”
Why it Happens
It’s common for boys between the ages of 11 and 15 to see the onset of gynecomastia. This is often due to their hormones changing with puberty. Men who see gynecomastia later in life may have hormone fluctuations as well; however, it’s more often caused by weight gain, the use of growth hormones (both prescription and over-the-counter), marijuana use or a side effect from medication. This type of breast tissue is hard to eliminate with diet and exercise alone, which is why we see it so often.
Home Remedies
Because gynecomastia is often an embarrassing condition, men and boys are always trying to find a way to get rid of the appearance of excess fatty tissue. The most common home remedies include a clean, healthy diet and regular exercise. However, this type of fatty tissue can be hard to target with diet and exercise alone. If the condition is caused by the use of marijuana or as a side effect of medication, eliminating those from your life may lessen the appearance of gynecomastia, but this is not always the case.
Getting Rid of Gynecomastia
The most effective and permanent way to get rid of your gynecomastia is with surgery. This type of procedure usually takes place under general anesthesia. The highly-skilled, board-certified plastic surgeon makes a discrete incision on the side of the chest wall, from which they are able to remove any excess fat and glandular tissue.
Recovering from Treatment
After treatment, you’ll have some swelling and discomfort for a few weeks. You’ll have to wear a compression garment to reduce swelling as well as ensure that everything stays flat, and it may be necessary to take some time off of work as well to ensure you heal properly.
For personalized information about gynecomastia plastic surgery procedures, please complete Dr. Delgado’s inquiry form.
Gynecomastia is a condition that can affect boys and men and causes male breast enlargement in one or both breasts. This excess breast tissue can lead to self-esteem issues, lack of self-confidence, and males feeling uncomfortable in their bodies. I receive many different questions regarding the cause of gynecomastia and what the options are to correct it. Read on for my answers to some of these common questions to educate yourself regarding this condition.
Question 1: Can Certain Foods Cause Gynecomastia (male boobs)?
I am often asked if certain foods can cause gynecomastia or the growth of male breast tissue. Some of the most common questions I get are regarding beer, chicken, eggs, and soybeans.
When it comes to beers that contain a significant amount of hops like IPA (Indian Pale Ale) they contain phytoestrogen, a plant-based estrogen hormone. Because of this, there is a common myth that drinking too much beer will cause estrogen levels to escalate. However, the truth is the phytoestrogen levels in beer are far too low to create any hormone imbalance in the body. It is important to remember that excessive consumption of beer or any alcohol can be detrimental to your overall health, so this should be avoided.
When it comes to soy, it contains isoflavones, a class of phytoestrogens that may mildly mimic the hormone estrogen. The effects of soy isoflavones on estrogen levels are complex, but in general, soy is safe to be consumed in moderation. As such, eggs, milk, and other food products that contain hormones are safe for consumption when consumed in moderation.
Question 2: Can Steroids Eliminate Gynecomastia?
Anabolic steroids are synthetic substances that are very similar to the male sex hormone, testosterone. Because they contain high levels of testosterone, some people may believe that they are a solution to gynecomastia, since the key cause of this condition is a hormonal imbalance when estrogen levels are higher (estrogen excess). Sounds like a solution right? Wrong.
Aside from other possible health issues, anabolic steroids are the primary trigger for gynecomastia. When a man takes steroids and then goes off them, testosterone levels will fluctuate, causing an increase in estrogen levels. This often leads to the development of excess fat in the chest area.
With this knowledge, it is important that you never self-medicate your gynecomastia, as it can cause your hormones to become imbalanced. If you do notice signs of drug-induced gynecomastia or believe your steroids cause gynecomastia, always seek advice from the appropriate and qualified doctor.
Question 3: Does Andropause/Male Menopause Cause Gynecomastia?
Andropause refers to the symptoms that males experience as testosterone production drops. After the age of 40, testosterone levels will begin to decline and symptoms such as fatigue, low sex drive, erectile dysfunction, depression, reduced muscle mass, and mood swings may begin to manifest.
Testosterone is the hormone that kickstarts changes during puberty, affects a male’s physical and mental energy, and also regulates other important evolutionary features. As testosterone levels drop, it causes a hormonal imbalance which may eventually lead to the development of gynecomastia in one or both breasts.
Question 4: Is Gynecomastia An Early Sign Of Breast Cancer?
While breast cancer is more common in women, it can also be a concern for men. In fact, more than 2,700 men are diagnosed with breast cancer each year. However, some may believe that gynecomastia may be a sign of breast cancer, which is not the case. Furthermore, excessive breast development and breast cancer are not found to be correlated. This means that having gynecomastia does not mean you have a higher risk of breast cancer.
Question 5: How Do You Get Rid Of Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a dual-component problem as these excessive breast glands and fat tissues, unfortunately, cannot be eradicated through diet and exercise alone.
When a male loses weight, he will tend to see an overall reduction in breast size. However, if you are suffering from true gynecomastia, your chest fullness will only become more noticeable after other parts of your body have shrunk. The only way to treat this breast tissue and gland growth in your body is through surgical intervention.
At my office I treat gynecomastia with 4-Dimensional (4D) gynecomastia surgery to comprehensively remove the excess tissue and to reshape, sculpt and tighten the chest. The 4-D surgery includes (1) breast tissue removal; (2) fat tissue reduction; (3) skin tightening and sculpting and (4) nipple reduction, if required.
Question 6: What are the Different Grades of Gynecomastia?
Excess male breast tissue is divided into four different “grades”, based on the severity of the problem. These gynecomastia grades include the following.
Gynecomastia Grade 1
The initial stage of gynecomastia is characterized by minor breast enlargement without the development of excess skin. Some tissue growth may also occur around the areola. The color of the tissue growth is different from the natural breast tissue. When surgery is performed at this stage, gynecomastia can be effectively treated.
Gynecomastia Grade 2
As the gynecomastia condition enters the next stage, moderate breast enlargement will occur without the development of excess skin. However, the condition will still remain unnoticeable when wearing loose clothing. Males may also experience a firmness under the nipple area while the outer area is still soft and fatty.
Gynecomastia Grade 3
If left untreated, gynecomastia worsens and enters the 3rd stage. At this stage, there will be moderate breast enlargement with the development of excess skin. As the enlarged male breast tissue extends further into the breast zone, the male chest starts to look slightly like the feminine breasts, and at this stage, the gynecomastia becomes clearly noticeable to others even while wearing loose clothing.
Gynecomastia Grade 4
As the gynecomastia enters the final stage, the condition is further aggravated with breast enlargement and excess skin. At this stage of the gynecomastia condition, patients will find that their chest appears similar to that of a woman’s breasts. By now, the enlarged male breast tissue has become very noticeable and would be impossible to hide.
Question 7: Will My Skin Sag After Gynecomastia (male boobs)?
Many of the patients that I see have degrees of gynecomastia that are not excessively saggy. In these instances, the natural elasticity of the skin will ensure that the skin snaps back appropriately into a more aesthetically pleasing position. It is also important to wear the compression garment given to you following surgery, as it will help in guiding the skin back to the desired position.
Question 8: Is Recurrent Gynecomastia Common After Gynecomastia Surgery?
When a gland is removed through the gynecomastia procedure, it is permanently removed and does not recur. To ensure that results are long-term, patients should adopt a healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise.
Question 9: Who is at High Risk for Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is more common during early puberty to mid-puberty because this is when hormonal changes occur. However, gynecomastia can also occur in middle-aged to older men. Up to 70% of boys in early to mid puberty are affected, while up to 65% of grown men are affected.
Question 10: What can Worsen Gynecomastia?
Excess weight gain or large amounts of body fat can cause gynecomastia to become more noticeable. You should also avoid any medications that you been proven to cause gynecomastia. If you are concerned regarding your gynecomastia or breast tissue growth, please do not hesitate to reach out to my office for a professional assessment.
Schedule a Gynecomastia Surgery Consultation
If you have any questions regarding gynecomastia, believe that you may have gynecomastia and are seeking options for treatment, or are experiencing breast pain associated with breast growth, please do not hesitate to reach out to me today. I will be happy to discuss your gynecomastia symptoms as well as determine if you are a good candidate for male breast reduction surgery.
