First of all, you are not alone. You are not cursed, you are not turning into a woman, and more importantly, you do not have to write your last will because of this. However, this condition may or may not be normal to a man. This condition is called gynecomastia, or others simply refer it as man boobs. This article aims to provide answers to the most common questions regarding this condition.
What is happening to my body?
There are many causes of gynecomastia, but the main culprits for this unusual enlargement of the male breast are your hormones. Physiologically speaking, a male’s body contains large amounts of testosterone (male hormone responsible for the development of male features like increase in muscle mass) and small amounts of estrogen (female hormone responsible for the development of female features such as enlargement of the breasts). When the equilibrium between these hormones is disturbed, female characteristics could develop in a male such as an increase in breast tissues in men which is medically termed as gynecomastia.
Why does estrogen level increases?
Increased estrogen levels normally happen in men during infancy (newborns exposed to their mother’s estrogen in utero), adolescence (rapid increase in hormones as boys became men), and old age (between 50 to 80 years old, when testosterone levels start to decrease). When you experience gynecomastia during these stages, you do not have to worry since these are normal phenomenon and would usually resolve on its own without treatment. However, if you observe a significant increase in your breast size not related to the above circumstances, you might need some treatment.
What are the other causes of gynecomastia?
Medicines for prostate cancer, treatment for HIV, recreational drugs and alcohol, some antibiotics, and even few herbal medicines could cause gynecomastia. Other causes also include certain medical conditions such as hypogonadism, liver failure, renal failure, and tumors could also cause male breast enlargement.
Overweight or obese men could also attain gynecomastia as excess fat deposits could accumulate into the adipose tissues of the breast. This also goes true to men who do bodybuilding and taking steroids.
I believe everyone who is suffering from man boobs could benefit from reading: How to Find Out if You Have Gynecomastia
What should I do about it?
There are several treatment options available for gynecomastia. You can either conceal it using breast compression vests or get rid of it through gynecomastia surgery, exercise, diet, or pills. If you have trouble deciding which one to choose, better talk to your doctor about it as he can help you determine which best gynecomastia cure for your condition.
Although gynecomastia is non-fatal, men who suffer from this condition could be affected emotionally, socially, and psychologically. They tend to develop low self-esteem and depression which could result to social isolation. Remember that you are not alone; there are millions of men who has the same condition as you do, try checking out support groups that are intended for gynecomastia. They’ll be able to give you advices, hear your story, and get resources and information from them regarding the latest news that pertains to the said condition.
