Gynecomastia Guide

Hi Everyone!

I’ve set up this website as a guide, written in everyday language[as you would expect from a Fitness Instructor], for everyone who is looking for help with the condition known as Gynecomastia. Like a lot of medical terms this comes from the Greek:

             ‘Gyne’…meaning ‘Woman’ and ‘Mastos’…meaning ‘Breast’.

In simple terms, it is a larger than normal development of the glandular breast tissue in males. Generally speaking, it is a harmless condition that can affect males from puberty to old age. The swollen area includes the nipples, aureolae and surrounding area to a greater or lesser extent. There is some tenderness associated with the condition as well. Sometimes only one breast will be affected and sometimes both. It is caused by an Estrogen/Testosterone imbalance which itself is caused by one of a number of triggers. Estrogen is a female hormone and Testosterone is, of course, male.

There is also a condition known as ‘Pseudo-Gynecomastia’ in which the ‘Pseudo’ bit means ‘False’…also from the Greek. Fortunately this condition is due solely to a guy being overweight and laying down too much ‘adipose’[fatty] tissue on the breast. This problem is more easily treated and is dealt with elsewhere in this guide.

It may surprise you to learn that the problem affects 40% of young males by the age of 14. This sounds worrying until you find out that in 75% of these the condition will disappear within 2 years and a further 15% within 3 years. So for most young men it is only a matter of temporary embarrassment and anxiety.

Have a look at the diagrams showing the structure of the chest.

So, apart from young, maturing males, who else can find themselves with one or the other of  these embarrassing conditions? Let’s have a look…

• Firstly, if a man’s Body Mass Index is over 25, then he is classed as being overweight. If the index shows as being over 30 then he is definitely obese. Over 35, then he is clinically obese and over 40 severely obese. All these guys have a greatly increased likelihood of gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia. 

• Body builders who take anabolic steroids frequently develop gynecomastia. Dianabol, Anadrol and Sustanon are the usual culprits as these are easily converted to estrogen, thereby stimulating glandular tissue growth. Other steroids can also do the same but are usually dose-related. 

• Alcohol in large quantities will also affect the hormonal balance, apart from helping to produce weight gain and is, therefore, another cause of both real and false gynecomastia. 

• Marijuana is another stimulating substance that can promote gynecomastia as can some medications containing Digitalis, Propecia and Melatonin. 

• Some pathologic diseases and disorders can also upset the Androgen/Estrogen balance, either by causing increased conversion of Androgens to Estrogens or decreased levels of Androgen activity. All of these possibilities will be checked out by your physician. 

• There is evidence that gynecomastia has occurred as a result of drinking Milk or eating Meat from Estrogen-treated animals. 

• Surprisingly, there have even been cases where boys have succumbed to gynecomastia as a result of eating sandwiches at School prepared for them by their mothers after the ladies concerned had rubbed Skin Cream on their hands which contained Estrogen! 

• A number of other conventional drugs can alter Liver function so that a secondary and  feminising affect is induced. 

As you can probably see by now, a proper diagnosis is essential and may involve a number of tests. The many different causes mean that treatment can take several different avenues for you guys.

As an experienced Fitness Instructor myself, I have seen both real and false gynecomastia and I know and understand the embarrassment and anxiety that both conditions cause. No man with either condition wants to strip off in a changing room, still less expose himself to a female. Sometimes, alongside exercise, diet and medical treatment an individual may need psychological help.

In pseudogynecomastia, a properly structured exercise regime coupled with a revised diet will go a long way to banishing the condition. This will also play a part in treating real gynecomastia. Surgery should always be the last resort although sometimes there is no alternative.

There are natural methods available which you may wish to have a look at once you know your condition. Four such courses which have lots of testimonials, with money-back guarantees, are to found on my article page 'Best of Gynecomastia Treatments'

Here’s to your new chest!

From the desk of Bruce Barker.

A member of:

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