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Is It Gynecomastia or Pseudogynecomastia?
When men start to get a buildup in their chest it can be very upsetting because it looks like the guy’s got women’s breasts. Some of the names people have come up with for oversized male breasts are moobs, man boobs or manboobz.
Whatever you call them though – they can be very embarrassing. There are two main causes for man boobs: gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia.
So – what is the difference between these two conditions? Pseudogynecomastia is caused by having a very high body mass index (BMI). A high BMI is the result of having too much fat on your body and is caused by a poor diet and lack of exercise. Being overweight affects your general health and makes you feel less energetic and tired. Having man boobs makes matters even worse because it affects your desire to socialize or be intimate. Sometimes men with a normal or low BMI develop moobs, but it is much less likely.
Gynecomastia on the other hand is caused by swelling of the mammary glands (which are located under the nipples on the chest. This swelling is caused more by issues within the body than by lifestyle as it is in pseudogynecomastia and typically requires more medical intervention.
When seen in babies, moobs are typically caused by a high level of estrogen being passed from mother to baby. Over time this usually goes away. Some teens develop true gynecomastia, but most will outgrow it and find their moobs diminish over time. As men age, metabolic changes occur that put them at risk for man boobs too. Sometimes elderly men get man boobs as a side effect of medications.
Other causes of gynecomastia include drug abuse, abnormal PH levels in the body and side effects from medications. Take heart though – if you have pseudogynecomastia lifestyle changes can help eliminate excess body fat and minimize the condition. However, losing weight will not provide much relief for those with gynecomastia.
The underlying cause of gynecomastia is thought to be a hormonal imbalance. Review your medications with your doctor to make sure that you aren’t taking something that can elevate your estrogen levels. The doctor will also likely do some blood work to check your ph levels and hormone levels.
It’s important to determine whether you have gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia because man boobs may be a sign of a more serious condition such as certain cancers. Be sure to see a doctor so that they can determine what is causing your moobs.
After the doctor determines the cause of your man boobs, he or she will work with you to come up with a solution. Gynecomastia may require treatment with strong prescription medications or surgery which can be expensive and requires time off work for recovery. Be sure that you understand which type of problem you have and weigh your options carefully.
Man boobs should be taken seriously because of the affect they have on your emotional health. Having enlarged breasts can make you feel less manly, especially if people cruelly tease you about it. Often men with moobs quit activities that require them to remove their shirt. Things like swimming or enjoying a sauna become out of the question because of the embarrassment of having man boobs.
Life is just too short not to enjoy every moment of it!