Understanding the Causes of Man Boobs and Your Natural Options

Let’s start by saying that we dislike the term “man boobs.” While it is often used jokingly, gynecomastia can be a frustrating and emotionally challenging condition for many men. Enlarged breast tissue can affect confidence and self-esteem, making it important to understand the possible causes and available treatment options.

Man boobs, also known as Gynecomastia, is the benign growth or swelling of the male breast glandular tissue due to an imbalance of the reproductive and sexual hormones testosterone and estrogen, although it can also be caused by other factors.

Hormonal balance plays an important role in men’s health. Certain natural ingredients, such as Chrysin, DIM (Diindolylmethane), and Swedish Flower Pollen Extract, are commonly included in men’s wellness formulas designed to support healthy hormone metabolism and prostate health. These ingredients are featured in our Chrysin with DIM and Swedish Flower Pollen Extract formula, while Chrysin Max, two topical formulas designed to support healthy hormone balance as part of a comprehensive wellness plan.

Gynecomastia often goes away by age 18 in young men. Still, more and more statistics show this age to be increasing before it disappears, as well as the return of Gynecomastia in men 40 years old – or even younger.

It can affect either one of the breasts or even both. It can affect males of all ages.

While it may not be a severe problem, it can be challenging. Boys and men living with gynecomastia often feel embarrassed and may also experience breast pain or tenderness.

Gynecomastia may resolve on its own, but medication or surgery may be required for recovery when it persists. You should see your doctor if you have pain, swelling, or nipple discharge in one or both breasts.

What are the Causes of Man Boobs?

The amount of the hormone estrogen relative to testosterone usually triggers it. An imbalance between testosterone and estrogen may occur when testosterone levels decrease, estrogen levels increase, or when certain conditions affect how these hormones function in the body. Some possible causes of gynecomastia include:

• Natural hormone changes – are caused in infants due to the effects of the presence of their mother’s estrogen immediately after birth and would usually go away after about three weeks. During puberty, it is caused by the changes that occur during this period. It may also appear again in older men, usually around age 50.
• Medications can also cause Gynecomastia, and some of them include anti-androgens, anabolic steroids, AIDS medications, antibiotics, ulcer medications, heart medications, cancer management, gastric motility medications, and others.
• Substances such as alcohol, heroin, marijuana, amphetamines, and methadone may also cause breast enlargement in men.
• Health conditions like tumors, hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, malnutrition and starvation, cirrhosis, and liver failure could also be responsible.

While gynecomastia cannot always be prevented, reducing certain risk factors may help lower your chances of developing the condition.

How Can Man Boobs Be Managed?

Man boobs will often regress and disappear without any aid, but it usually persists if it is caused by an underlying condition such as cirrhosis, hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, or malnutrition. In this kind of situation, the man’s boobs may require assistance. Man boobs could either be managed with medication or surgery.

• Medications like natural aromatase inhibitors, tamoxifen, and raloxifene used for dealing with breast cancer and other conditions may be prescribed for some men living with man boobs. While these drugs are FDA approved, they’ve not been approved for use as a remedy.
• Surgery may be recommended to remove excess glandular breast tissue. In cases where there is still significant and worrisome breast enlargement after therapy, and the two different types of surgery that could be done include mastectomy and liposuction.

Gynecomastia is embarrassing and often more painful to the male ego and pride than anything else. Though there are many things, such as surgery, to be done, one easy try is using Chrysin Max – an aromatase inhibiting natural cream. It might help to balance estradiol, which, if too high, can be the reason for Gynecomastia.