Gynecomastia - How to Get Rid of Man Boobs?

Do you currently suffer from gynecomastia, or man boobs? If you do then you may be embarrassed by the condition.

You may even be too embarrassed to take your t-shirt off at the poolside or beach.

In the following article, we are going to look at gynecomastia in more detail. What it is, and what you can do to get rid of those man boobs.

Contents

1 What is Gynecomastia?
2 What Causes Gynecomastia?
3 How to Lose Moobs?
4 Gynecomastia FAQs
5 In Conclusion

What is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is the enlargement of gland tissue of a man’s breast. It is common in older men, can occur during puberty and is a common side effect of anabolic steroid use. This condition will affect roughly 40-50% of men during their lifetime ¹.

Clinical gynecomastia is categorised as an enlargement of breast tissue of over 0.5 cm. The symptoms of gynecomastia include:

They are rubbery and firm to feel
One breast may be larger than the other
They may be tender and sensitive
You may be itchy around your nipple area
There shouldn’t be pain when they are touched

Gynecomastia is different from lipomastia, which is when fat is deposited in the breast tissue of overweight or obese men.

What Causes Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is caused by an imbalance of the female hormone oestrogen and the male hormone androgen. Those who experience gyno will have higher oestrogen levels than androgen.

There are a few reasons why this occurs:

Puberty

Puberty may cause gyno, as when you undergo puberty your body will experience surges of various hormones, which may cause imbalances ².

Your doctor may be able to help with this, as they may be able to prescribe you something to help regulate your oestrogen levels.

After puberty, you should see your hormone levels return to a more stable level, so you should see a reduction in breast tissue.

Being Overweight

If you are overweight or obese then your body will produce more oestrogen, which will cause gynecomastia ³.

Losing weight will help reduce the amount of oestrogen produced, and will help raise your natural testosterone levels.

Steroid Use

Certain steroids cause aromatization to occur ⁴, which is an increase in oestrogen production.

This occurs when your body senses that too much testosterone is present in your system. It will then convert androgens into estradiol, which is a compound similar to oestrogen.

Dianabol, Anadrol and Sustanon are all steroids that cause aromatization.

To counter this aromatisation it is important that you use an effective PCT plan that will include the use of an Aromatase Inhibitor (AI) such as Clomid. This should be used after a steroid cycle to help rebalance your hormones.

Other Supplements

If you are reading this article then chances are you are on this website trying to find methods to build muscle.

You probably know how important that protein is for muscle growth, and probably use supplements like whey protein on a regular basis.

The problem is that if the whey protein is made from soy then this may be the cause of your gyno ⁵.

This is because soy is full of compounds called phytoestrogens, which are similar to oestrogen.

Some people may say that creatine can cause gynecomastia, but this information is false. Creatine can cause water retention, but no additional breast tissue will be formed from supplementing with creatine.

Alcohol or Drugs

If you consume an excessive amount of alcohol, or if you smoke marijuana or abuse amphetamines then you risk lowering the amount of testosterone your body produces.

As we have discussed already, the less testosterone you produce the higher your risk of gyno. As your oestrogen levels will remain high. Resulting in aromatization occurring.

Prescribed Medication

There is certain prescribed medication that has been linked to gynecomastia ⁶, including:

Diuretics
Calcium channel blockers
Sleeping tablets
Antibiotics

If you suspect that a medicine you are using is causing unwanted side effects then I would recommend making an appointment to speak to your doctor. There may be an alternative available that you could try.

How to Lose Moobs?

If you are not willing to make changes to your lifestyle then your moobs will not disappear.

You need to make changes to both your diet and exercise regime, surgery may also be an option for you too.

Diet for Gynecomastia

To combat gynecomastia and to improve your overall health you should consider making changes to your diet.

Out should go the junk food, instead, you should replace the rubbish foods with lean meat, chicken, fish, vegetables and fresh fruit.

There are also foods you can eat that can boost your testosterone levels, such as:

Beef
Tuna
Low-fat milk
Egg yolks
Fortified cereals
Oysters
Beans
Shellfish

Foods that lower your oestrogen levels are also a must, so make sure to add these to your shopping basket too:

Cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage etc)
Mushrooms
Red grapes
Seeds
Green tea
Whole grains
Pomegranates

The following foods increase oestrogen so are best avoided:

Refined sugars
Excessive carbs
Non-organic dairy products
Soy-based products

Finally, you should drink plenty of water. It contains zero calories and is a much better option than soft drinks. Alcohol is best avoided as excessive consumption of it may hinder your progress.

Exercise for Gynecomastia

If you are able to build muscle in your chest then your moobs will become less visible. Plus, if you burn off some excess fat this will obviously help too.

I would recommend working your chest using a variety of exercises that include the bench press, press-ups and the cable fly.

You should not avoid training your legs though, you should remember that your legs are the biggest muscle group so if you work them you will see the biggest testosterone boost ⁷.

Building muscle will also increase your BMR (Basal Metabolic Rate), meaning you will have a higher metabolism and therefore are able to burn off more calories and fat while at rest.

Cardio should not be ignored, and while HIIT (High-Intensity Interval Training) is our recommendation. Even if you choose to walk every day then that will be a better option than sitting on your behind in front of the television.

Surgery for Gynecomastia

Surgery for gynecomastia is an option, but is certainly not a cheap option, with surgery costing an average of $3,978 ⁸. In the UK this cost may be as much as £5,500.

Why is the surgery so expensive? Well, you have to pay for an expensive surgeon to perform the surgery, then you have to think about anaesthesia, tests, and other staff costs etc.

Gyno surgery is also not without risk too, with plenty of potential risks attached ⁹:

Sensory changes
Pain
Seromas
Breast asymmetry
Hematomas

Infection is a serious issue, and scarring is also a common problem, which will occur in a very noticeable area.

While your surgeon will take steps to minimise scarring, with any type of surgery scarring cannot be avoided.

Supplements for Gynecomastia

There are supplements available that can help reduce the size of your moobs, for example, Gynectrol from Crazy Bulk.

Gynectrol is made from ingredients that include Caffeine, Chromium, Guggulsterone, Green Tea Extract and Theobromine.

Caffeine is a popular fat burning ingredient that has been shown to increase metabolism. It can also help break down fat through lipolysis, a process where the body breaks down and releases fatty acids into the bloodstream ¹⁰ ¹¹ ¹².

This process helps to give you energy. Caffeine is also a stimulant, so will give you an energy boost that will allow you to perform your workouts with increased intensity.

To aid your muscle building efforts chromium is used ¹³.

Guggulsterone originates from the guggul tree in India, and it is a plant steroid used in many bodybuilding products.

It has been shown to reduce cholesterol, while also helping to boost testosterone and your metabolic rate ¹⁴ ¹⁵ ¹⁶.

Green tea contains various flavonoids and alkaloids that help to burn fat. Its compounds help to raise your internal body temperature, allowing you to burn off more calories ¹⁷ ¹⁸.

Finally, we have Theobromine, which is an ingredient that comes from cocoa. It contains high levels of the amino acid L-arginine and has been shown to promote fat loss ¹⁹ ²⁰.

Using Gynectrol will provide you with the following benefits:

Reduced male breast tissue
A firmer and more masculine chest
Increased metabolic rate
Fat = Energy
Lower cholesterol levels

The ingredients found in Gynectrol target the fat cells around your chest area, which will help reduce the size of your man boobs.

Made from natural ingredients, you will not experience any side effects.

Gynectrol costs £36.95 ($61.99) for a months supply go capsules. If you buy larger quantities you can save money, as there is a buy two get a third FREE offer available.

Each order comes with FREE shipping for both UK and USA customers.

Gynecomastia FAQs

Here are some commonly asked questions about gynecomastia and man boobs (if you have a question of your own then you can submit it below the article using the comment form provided):

How is gynecomastia diagnosed?

Firstly, you will need to make an appointment with your doctor.

They will then check for physical symptoms with a breast exam, will look at your medical history and history of medication.

Your doctor may even order a breast imaging test, such as a mammogram or breast ultrasound to rule out breast cancer.

Is gynecomastia genetic?

It can be genetic in those who suffer from Klinefelter Syndrome (XXY Syndrome).

Those who have this condition have an additional X chromosome, and while many men have this condition will not have any symptoms they are likely to be taller but less muscular when they hit puberty. This is due to a lack of testosterone being produced.

They also may have broader hips and less facial and body hair. Sperm production may also be an issue.

Can gynecomastia turn into cancer?

Having gyno may increase your risk of developing breast cancer, however, your risk of developing breast cancer as a male is still very small.

What does gynecomastia feel like?

They will feel like small rubbery lumps under your nipple/s.

Can gynecomastia occur in females?

No, this term is used to describe the overdevelopment of male breast tissue.

How common is gynecomastia in men?

40-50% of men will experience this condition at some point in their lifetime ²¹.

What age will gynecomastia go away?

Typically the swollen breast tissue will go away without treatment within six months to two years.

Can gynecomastia kill you?

No, it will not kill you.

Which steroids cause gynecomastia?

Certain steroids such as Dianabol, Anadrol and Sustanon cause aromatization. These are the ones most likely to cause gyno.

Can gynecomastia cause infertility?

Not directly. Although low testosterone can cause gyno, which also can affect your fertility.

What causes gynecomastia in puberty?

During puberty a male's hormones will surge, if more oestrogen is produced than normal then you will see an increase in breast tissue.

Can you get gyno surgery on the NHS?

It is possible to get breast reduction surgery on the NHS.

Normally this type of surgery would need to be paid for privately, but if you have had gyno for a long time, if it has not responded to other treatments, or is causing you pain or distress then the NHS may be an option.

Will gynecomastia return after surgery?

The simple answer is yes.

If your body starts to produce too much oestrogen again then it is likely to return, even after surgery.

Does HCG cause gynecomastia?

Yes. HCG can cause this embarrassing condition. HCG stimulates the Leydig cell LH receptor, which results in an increase in oestrogen production ²².

Does obesity cause gynecomastia?

Being overweight or obese can cause gyno as there is an increase in oestrogen production with a reduction in testosterone levels.

The excess fat can also cause an enlargement of the breast tissue.

Why does alcohol cause gynecomastia?

The hops found in beer contain a high amount of phytoestrogen, which is similar to oestrogen.

This imbalance of female to male hormones leads to an increased chance of developing breast tissue.

Does lifting weights get rid of moobs?

Building muscle will make your breast tissue less prominent while burning off any excess fat won't do any harm either.

Can gynecomastia cause heart problems?

There is research that suggests that there may be a link between gyno and heart problems ²³.

In Conclusion

If you are embarrassed by your man boobs and are looking for a solution then fear not, there are methods to combat gynecomastia.

Changes to your diet and exercise regime can make significant changes so are worth considering.

Surgery is also an option, although this is expensive and runs the risk of infection and scarring.

Finally, you could use a supplement. We have suggested one for you, but there are other options available too.

Jonathan Jenkins

Hello there!! My name is Jonathan, and I am a fitness blogger and bodybuilding enthusiast. I am also the founder of GainMuscleNotFat.com.

I want to provide you with the best advice to help you gain muscle mass and strength, without getting fat!