Though gynaecomastia (abnormal male breast development) is generally a benign condition, it can be quite troubling to the men it aflicts. In some cases, an increase in male breast size could point to an underlying medical problem, the use of certain medications, weight gain, and ageing. For most men, the condition, regardless of the cause, can be treated or disguised.
In this article, written by Dr. Bernard Beldholm, you will learn the causes of gynaecomastia, some valuable tips for temporarily disguising enlarged breasts, and surgical treatments that can permanently repair the condition.
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How Common is Gynaecomastia?
Gynaecomastia is surprisingly common, with nearly 25% of men developing large male breasts at some point in life. During the 15+ years that Dr. Bernard has met with hundreds of men to discuss gynaecomastia surgery, his patients have passed along several creative ways to hide gynaecomastia.
Fortunately, gynaecomastia surgery is a common procedure that reverses the effects of gyanocomastia by removing the abnormal breast gland. For the men who choose to wait to have the surgery, or not to go through with the procedure at all, there are several ways to disguise the abnormal breast size. This article was written to help men affected by the condition.
Hiding Enlarged Male Breasts
A lot of men resort to hiding enlarged breasts, sometimes for decades. Here are seven ways to cover male breasts.
1. Taping your chest down
Men with gynaecomastia sometimes tape their chest down to make their male breasts look smaller. Ace bandages, duct tape, even surgical tape. You name it, and Doctor Bernard has seen it.
To compress the breast tissue, the tape forces the breast tissue to flatten. Not only is this a temporary solution, but tight tape or bandages are awkward to wear and annoying to apply. Sticky tape gets stuck in chest hair, which is painful, to put it mildly. It’s important to note that taping your chest down won’t stop breasts from growing.
2. Wearing vests
Taping the chest is painful. It’s no wonder men look for alternatives to chest taping with sticky tape. Some men choose to wear vests, regardless of the summer heat and high temperatures. For men living with gynaecomastia in Australia, that can be torturous.
3. Chest compression garments
Similar to tape, a compression garment can hide male breasts. It compresses the breast tissue, making it appear flatter. Unlike a vest, it can be worn under clothes. The only problem is that they are quite cumbersome to wear all the time, especially in Australia’s heat.
Compression garments can also increase sweating. Some garments are breathable, but that’s not enough on the hottest days. Sweat buildup and chafing from itchy compression garments may cause skin irritation, back acne, chest acne, or skin rashes.
4. Avoiding exercise
Large male breasts can take a toll on a man’s dignity. In some men, the breast gland is so large that you can see it. Though staying fit is important for all adults, some men don’t exercise because their chest fat hides the gland itself. However, some men are willing to sacrifice the body they want, just so they can hide their male breast size.
Some men wear multiple undershirts or layers of clothing to hide their gynaecomastia. The more layers you wear, the harder it is to notice male breast size. Thicker fabrics and knits offer more coverage than thin materials. Again, Australian gynaecomastia patients face oppressive temperatures during much of the year, so wearing layers is not always a viable option.
6. Blazers or jackets
Like layering clothes to hide breasts, some men wear blazers or jackets. This works great in an air-conditioned office, but can be tedious when worn outside. However, casual jackets and blazers can do the job.
7. Nipple covers
Nipple covers help to make puffy nipples from gynaecomastia less obvious. Swollen nipples are a problem for thinner males with gynaecomastia. If the breast gland is larger than it should be and you don’t have enough body fat on your chest to cover it up, the nipple is visible.
Nipple covers are a cheap and convenient solution. However, it is challenging to find high-quality nipple covers with adequate coverage. Adhesive nipple covers for men stay on with a special adhesive. The adhesive on nipple covers is known to irritate skin. You may have itching or redness from nipple covers. Sticky nipple covers are also not fun to remove. They pull the skin. Hair gets stuck in the adhesive. It’s painful.
What is Gynaecomastia Surgery? (Male Breast Reduction)
If you’re tired of hiding large male breasts, there is hope. You can do something to stop gynaecomastia and get a flat chest. Doctor Bernard performs gynaecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction.
What causes gynaecomastia in men?
Gynaecomastia is the benign growth of male breasts. It is more of a cosmetic concern, but it may signal an underlying problem in some men. Male breast enlargement can happen during the course of a man’s life for many reasons. There are a few possible causes of gynaecomastia, such as the following:
Medical conditions that cause gynaecomastia
In some cases, an increase in male breast size could point to an underlying medical problem that warrants medical attention. Low testosterone (also called “low T”) may be caused by certain conditions that block testosterone’s effects. A visit to your PCP is the first step you should take if you notice your breasts getting bigger. Gynaecomastia does not always mean there is a medical problem, however. There are many other known causes.
Medication (pharmacological gynaecomastia)
Certain supplements or medications, particularly those that affect the hormones testosterone and estrogen, may also result in changes in male breast size. This is known as “pharmacological gynaecomastia”. Prostate medication, Valium, over-the-counter ulcer meds, and more have been linked to changes in male breast size.
Weight Gain
An overactive male breast gland causes true gynaecomastia. Yet there is also another type of gynaecomastia that can occur. It is known as pseudo-gynaecomastia, or “false gynaecomastia”. In men with this condition, the breast gland is not the problem. It’s caused by excess fat in the chest. A man can develop male breasts due to weight gain or changes in fat distribution. Large male breasts can be a problem from a cosmetic and psychological perspective, regardless of the cause.
Puberty
We know certain medical conditions and medications can cause gynaecomastia. Often, however, large male breasts are simply the result of puberty or hormonal changes throughout life, rather than a serious medical problem.
Gynaecomastia can be caused by sudden changes in testosterone production, the male sex hormone. This could result in lower testosterone levels or increased estrogen levels, contributing to enlarged breasts in men.
For example, a hormonal change in puberty causes gynaecomastia to develop in some men. It is common among teens and young men in their 20s; In these cases, it is possible for gynaecomastia to go away on its own. The male sex hormones may level out as men move forward into adulthood.
Ageing
Older men are affected as well. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, , 1 in 4 men between the ages of 50 and 69 have gynaecomastia due to low testosterone levels or other causes. As the years go by, men produce less testosterone. With less of the male sex hormone, breast size changes can occur. The male breast gland is affected, increasing chest size in men.
Mature men can also develop pseudo-gynaecomastia. Fat distribution in the body changes with age. Some people start to carry weight in their midsection or chest area. While pseudo-gynaecomastia has nothing to do with a faulty male breast gland like in real gynaecomastia, it makes the male chest grow larger as fat storage increases in the chest area.
Genetics
Genetics, though rare, may also play a role in gynaecomastia, or male breast development. Sometimes, for genetic reasons, men store body fat in their chest more than other people. When it’s related to body fat and the breast gland is normal, it’s known as pseudo-gynaecomastia.
However, true gynaecomastia that involves an overactive breast gland may also have a genetic link. That means it could run in families. The most common genetic cause of gynaecomastia is a condition called Klinefelter syndrome. It is said to affect about 1 in every 550 males. Klinefelter syndrome happens when men have an extra X chromosome. This causes men to have testicles that are smaller than average. That means less testosterone production, which may lead to male breasts that are too big.
Steroid use
Steroids, which have a devastating effect on hormones, can also increase breast size in some males. With the male hormones out of balance, breast size increases due to steroid use, which is a common problem. Professional bodybuilders, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts often seek gynaecomastia treatment at a cosmetic surgery clinic for this reason.
Not all men use steroids illegally, and not all men with gynaecomastia are steroid abusers. Anabolic steroids and androgens may be prescribed for certain medical conditions by your doctor.
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Depending on the cause, stopping steroid use may help to stop gynaecomastia from getting worse. This is especially true if you use illegal steroids If you have a hormonal problem, such as Low Testosterone, your PCP may be able to help.
Finally, another way to reduce male breast size permenently is gynaecomastia surgery. This procedure removes the breast gland and reshapes the male chest, resulting in a more masculine appearance. It’s a two-hour procedure that can be done in one day.
