What is gynecomastia?
FAQ
Gynecomastia is a condition that kept me from enjoying so many activities that friends and guys in general do without a second thought. Namely choosing clothing that helped hide the size and appearance of my chest, and not participating in things requiring no shirt. This kept me from sports, swimming, summer gatherings, and caused general mental discomfort 100% of the time. With that in mind, nobody could provide comfort by telling me it’s okay or they don’t notice it, or it doesn’t matter and nobody cares.. I cared. No matter how subtle a look or kind disguised complement from other was, I read into it and tied it to my gynecomastia. It sucked. Sometimes I think back and wonder how my life may have been less restrictive and different had I not had the condition.
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True Gynecomastia
This is the form of gynecomastia that I suffered from. It’s the enlargement of breast tissue in guys caused by hormonal imbalances in testosterone and estrogen levels. Puberty, aging, or underlying health issues often trigger this. True gynecomastia is characterized by the presence of glandular breast tissue and may be accompanied by tenderness or sensitivity in the area.
Pseudo-Gynecomastia, on the other hand, is caused by an accumulation of fat in the breast area without the presence of enlarged glandular tissue. Pseudo is usually related to obesity, where the extra fat accumulates and results in the appearance of breasts. Pseudo does not involve hormonal imbalances as found in true-gynecomastia. Pseudo typically lacks the tenderness associated with true gynecomastia and may improve with weight loss.
Understanding the distinction between these two conditions is critical for determining appropriate treatment.
Simply put Gynecomastia is the presence of a feminine presenting chest in males. The gland grows excessively causing the appearance of breasts (enlarged glands).