Gynecomastia: Causes and Treatments

If you’re one of those men who are self-conscious, even embarrassed, when it comes to taking your shirt off at the beach, you’re not alone. Approximately 30 percent of men struggle with what is colloquially known as “man boobs” at some point during their lifetime. The medical term for “man boobs” is gynecomastia, and it is used to describe a condition where there is a noticeable enlargement of glandular tissue behind the nipples. Contrary to what many people think, gynecomastia is not necessarily caused by weight gain, although weight gain and obesity can definitely make the condition worse. The underlying cause behind gynecomastia is most often hormonal imbalance, usually because of an increase in estrogen production combined with a decrease in androgen production, or sometimes both. Restoring hormonal balance in men is essential to treating gynecomastia—and can help prevent more serious conditions associated with hormonal imbalance. Read more…