Gynecomastia, such a condition that is extremely embarrassing for men. From student life to professional life, and from personal life to social life, confidence is essential at every stage of our journey. If you lack confidence, someone else will take your place. Research suggests that when a person’s physique is in good shape, their physical and mental confidence increases significantly. But the problem starts when someone doesn’t know what’s wrong with their body. For example, is that change in the chest just fat, or is it a sign of any hormonal problem? This is where the fat vs. gyno confusion comes in.
According to research, did you know that 35% of men around the world are affected by gynecomastia? This problem is commonly seen in people aged 50-69. However, around 70% of boys experience gynecomastia during adolescence. Study says that in about 75% of cases, the problem resolves on its own within two years. However, in approximately 20% – 25% of cases, it becomes persistent and may require medical treatment.
Often, people have a misconception that when their nipple looks floppy, they think it’s just chest fat, but that’s not true. Even after you lose your chest fat, your nipple may still be floppy. That one small area can make the whole chest definition look worse. Plus, you can’t wear your favorite shirt or T-shirt, because unless you’re wearing a jacket, that ugly area won’t be covered, and this emotionally destroys you from the inside.
Understanding Gynecomastia: How to Differentiate Gyno vs Fat
Gynecomastia is when a man’s chest tissue enlarges. It typically happens when a man has a hormonal imbalance, meaning the testosterone levels drop and estrogen levels increase. In this abnormal condition, a man’s chest often looks like a woman’s breast. This condition sometimes affects one, but mainly both breasts. This issue can occur at any stage of life, whether it’s after the birth of a newborn, during adulthood, or in old age. Whenever it happens, it emotionally breaks a man completely.
Enlargement of a man’s chest tissue doesn’t necessarily mean he has gynecomastia because, most of the time, due to obesity, the chest appears similar to female breasts. There are basically two types of gynecomastia:
- Pseudo Gynecomastia
- True Gynecomastia
Pseudo Gynecomastia: When It’s Just Fat, Not Gyno
Research says that pseudo is often called false gynecomastia. This is a condition when a man’s nipple becomes a little floppy, and he thinks this is “man boobs.” But the reality is, it’s not a medical condition. Exercise, diet, and some lifestyle adjustments are enough to get rid of this problem. This may take around 6 months to 2 years. However, if this problem is not solved even after two years, then you definitely need to consult with an endocrinologist.
In this modern era, where comfort is making our lives increasingly sedentary, 9-to-5 jobs also require us to sit for hours. Plus, in the name of tasty food, we are continuously consuming junk food. As a result, developing pseudo-gynecomastia has now become a common issue.
Mainly, pseudo gynecomastia occurs because of obesity, excess body fat percentage, and a sedentary lifestyle. Fat accumulates around our nipples in these conditions. Our body has certain areas with stubborn fat that don’t burn as quickly as other parts. One of those areas is the fat around the nipples. Plus, sometimes in pseudo gynecomastia, besides fat accumulation, glandular muscle tissue also enlarges. As a result, fixing this area can take longer.
Gynecomastia
A research study from the Mayo Clinic says, This is a true medical condition. In this case, when a man’s chest enlarges, there is usually some fat, but the main reason is the enlargement of glandular breast tissue, which puts a man in a very embarrassing situation. This mainly happens because of a hormonal imbalance in a man’s body, meaning the estrogen (female hormone) increases, and the testosterone (male hormone) level drops.
In true gynecomastia, a man’s nipple becomes very sensitive, and he feels pain in the nipple. Moreover, when he wears any clothes and the fabric rubs against his nipples while moving, he feels pain and also experiences discomfort and tenderness. For this reason, a man can feel social anxiety, where he always tries to hide himself from everything, and his self-confidence decreases.
When a man has gynecomastia, it can be difficult to identify in the early stages. However, there are certain symptoms that can help determine whether it is true or just false gynecomastia.
Symptoms & Diagnosis: Identifying Gyno vs Fat Issues
Before searching for the solution, we have to identify the actual cause. Gyno vs fat, what is it? And these are some major symptoms that you’ll experience when you truly have gynecomastia.
- Breast enlargement: One or both breasts may increase in size.
- A lump behind the nipple in true gynecomastia.
- Your nipples become sensitive.
- You can feel your nipple when you touch it, and it may feel firmer and denser than fat.
- You feel pain when you touch your nipple.
Around 70% of adolescent boys may experience this problem, but it is usually resolved within 2 years. If, after two years, you still have any of these symptoms, then you must consult a doctor to determine the actual condition.
Causes of Gynecomastia: The Science Behind Gyno vs Fat
There are several reasons for gynecomastia to occur. Some of the major reasons that research has found are:
Hormonal imbalance
This is the most common reason for gynecomastia or “man boobs.” Testosterone is the main hormone for men, while estrogen is for females, but men also have estrogen. Naturally, the testosterone level in a man’s body is much higher, and the estrogen level is at its lowest point.
Whenever the testosterone level drops and the estrogen level rises, it can be the cause of gynecomastia. This imbalance can happen at any time and at any age.
By Birth
Sometimes, newborn babies may be born with gynecomastia. This happens because, when a baby is born, he gets some extra estrogen hormones from his mom. However, in most cases, there is no issue with it because it may settle within a few weeks, typically 2-4 weeks. Most of the time, you don’t need to worry, and usually, no action is required. But if it takes longer, consulting with a doctor would be a better option.
Puberty
This is the time when the biggest hormonal changes occur in a man’s body. During this period, hormones can go a bit crazy. Sometimes, the estrogen level can increase, and testosterone can drop. That’s why, sometimes, a man’s breast tissue can grow a little bigger. This is called puberty gynecomastia, but it’s not harmful. Most of the time, it goes away after puberty ends, usually taking 6 months to 2 years.
So, during puberty, you don’t need to worry about this, but if it persists longer, seeking a doctor’s advice would be a smart option.
Aging
Older men’s testosterone levels naturally remain low because, after the age of thirty, testosterone levels decrease by 1% every year, which can lead to the development of gynecomastia. Especially after the age of 50, people often notice that fat is accumulating in their lower chest area, causing it to sag.
At this age, men often suffer from gynecomastia due to this hormonal imbalance, and their chest may resemble a female breast.
Obesity
When a man becomes obese, his hormonal balance becomes disturbed because fat tissue acts as a source of estrogen. Men and women have different tendencies for accumulating fat in different areas of their bodies. Men tend to accumulate more fat, especially in the lower chest area. Since an obese person has an excess amount of fat, their testosterone production becomes disturbed, and fat helps to produce more estrogen, resulting in gynecomastia.
Medication
Some medicines can be a cause of gynecomastia. These include:
- Steroids or any hormonal therapy
- Antidepressants
- Heart medication
- Any antibiotics
Sometimes, these medications can disturb your hormonal balance. So, before taking any of these medicines, discuss their potential side effects with your doctor before starting any new medication regimen.
Illegal drugs and substance abuse
This is the biggest problem among beginner gym-goers. They often get frustrated with their results and, wanting a quick fix, start taking steroids. Besides steroids, other substances like marijuana and heroin can disturb testosterone production and lead to gynecomastia.
Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol is poison. The ingredients found in alcohol increase the production of estrogen hormones. It doesn’t have any nutritional benefits; rather, it contains an excessive amount of bad calories, which can result in the accumulation of excess body fat and obesity, disturbing the hormonal balance and increasing the risk of gynecomastia.
If you’re a regular alcohol consumer, that means you’re harming both your physique and mental health every day. This will hold you back, no matter what task you try to do. If you’re addicted to it, seek support to quit this habit as soon as possible.
Medical Conditions
Some health conditions can increase the chance of developing gynecomastia by affecting our hormonal balance. These include:
- Liver disease (like cirrhosis)
- Thyroid disorder
- Kidney failure
- Testicular and pancreatic diseases
If you have one of these conditions, you need a proper diagnosis and management to effectively address gynecomastia.
Herbal Products
Some herbal products can increase the production and effectiveness of estrogen hormones, such as:
- Ginseng
- Lavender
- Tea tree oil
If you use these products, it may increase the chances of developing gynecomastia. So, consult with a healthcare provider if you want to use any of these herbal products.
Genetics
Not in every case, but sometimes, you may be affected by gynecomastia due to your genetics. If you have a family history of gynecomastia, your chances of developing this condition are slightly higher compared to others.
Sometimes, a man can inherit certain syndromes from his ancestors, which can also be responsible for developing gynecomastia. Some serious syndromes include:
- Klinefelter syndrome: A genetic condition where a man has an extra (X) chromosome (XXY).
- Androgen insensitivity: In this syndrome, the body is less responsive to testosterone.
Treatment and Solution for Gyno vs Fat
If your nipple looks lumpy because of your chest fat, it doesn’t necessarily mean you truly have gynecomastia. To identify your actual condition, gyno vs fat, you should focus on regular exercise and consume a healthy diet to take your body fat percentage to an ideal level of around 15-17%, and maintain this for at least two years. Most of the time, gynecomastia doesn’t require treatment and recovers on its own automatically. If the issue persists, you must consult an endocrinologist.
According to a report from News Medical Life Science, as of now, there are no FDA-approved medications specifically for treating gynecomastia. While some drugs may be used off-label, the FDA hasn’t officially approved any treatment solely for this condition. The ultimate solution is surgery. Medications are only prescribed to balance your hormones. There are basically two types of surgery:
1. Liposuction
Research says this surgical process is commonly used for pseudo-gynecomastia, where the chest enlarges due to fat rather than glandular tissue. It is mainly a cosmetic surgery that removes excess fat from a specific part of your body.
After the surgery, it takes around 2 weeks for the patient to fully recover. But keep in mind that liposuction is not a weight-loss process or a replacement for a healthy lifestyle. This method is only used to remove stubborn fat from specific areas of the body that are difficult to remove through diet and exercise.
Before undergoing the surgery, make sure you consult with a qualified surgeon to understand the procedure and determine if it’s right for you.
2. Mastectomy
Study shows that Mastectomy is a surgical process for true gynecomastia, meaning it is for those whose chest enlarges because of glandular tissue, not fat. The surgeon removes the excess glandular tissue and fat that makes the chest resemble a female breast.
This method is for those whose condition has become extremely severe, and no natural methods or medicines have worked. Mastectomy not only removes the glandular mass but also helps restore a more masculine chest appearance.
Additionally, doctors use a special technique to make the stitch marks as small as possible, so the chest looks natural. However, consult your surgeon before the surgery to understand the benefits, risks, and side effects.
Generally, after the surgery, it takes about 6 weeks to recover completely. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions and take the prescribed medications.
The Bottom Line
Gynecomastia is more common than you think, so don’t be afraid. It’s important to be cautious beforehand to avoid this embarrassing condition, rather than seeking treatment after it develops. Once it develops, you may have to suffer for at least a year or two.
If unfortunately it happens, your first step should be to identify whether it’s pseudo-gynecomastia or a true medical condition. You can also consult a doctor to help determine your condition and what steps to take next.
