Gynecomastia, more popularly known as man boobs is a medical condition that is characterized by an unnatural breast and/or areola growth in men. This can mean anything from slight fat build up to a full sized pair of female looking breasts. It all depends on the specific condition, lifestyle, weight, etc.
The Goal
This article will focus on what are the types of man boobs. The discussion is only meant as a primer. For more information it would be best to consult with a physician. The author/website also has several other relevant articles.
What Causes Man Boobs?
There are several factors to consider. Most experts associate gynecomastia with an imbalance or overproduction of estrogen and androgen localize din the breast tissue. A caveat though, 25% of the time physicians are not what the principal cause it. But they can narrow down the likely causes. In other words, knowing what are the types of man boobs does not necessarily mean knowing the exact reason why it is there.
One or more factors may be present in a single case. Individuals have a predisposition to develop it because of their:
•Genes
•Medical precondition
•Disease/disorder
•Medication
•Food intake
•Obesity
Take note that babies, adolescents, or boys in puberty may develop some sort of man boobs. It usually disappears after a few years. This is known as transient (temporary) Gynecomastia.
Physical Characteristics of Man Boobs
The adult male chest gets enlarged, but not in a muscular way. It looks puffy and swollen. In most cases there is no unnatural feeling associated with the enlargement. There may or may not be a slight tenderness in the chest area.
At other times the diameter of the areola and/or nipple expands, and becomes puffy.
Excessive Gynecomastia
Majority of the time, man boobs is an excessive deposit of fat/adipose tissue. This is known as pseudogynecomastia. The leading cause of the same is obesity, improper diet, improper chest related exercises. In some cases, body builders who stop lifting weights develop man boobs because their muscle gets converted into fat. The more muscle there is, the fatter it gets. This is not really a cause for alarm and/or discomfort. Only a reality one must face given the lifestyle choices or the genetics inherent in a person.
Severe Gynecomastia
The usual scenario is, the male chest area looks like that of females. What is worst, the growth can be asymmetrical or unilateral. In other words one breast is noticeably bigger than the other. The growth is mainly due to glandular tissue and/or secretion localize din the breast area, in which case the swelling is usually tender, even painful at times.
In Closing
Knowing your options or knowing the necessity of a particular measure is the reason why you should consult with a physician. Never self medicate. Yes, any person can make the initial diagnosis as to what are the types of man boobs. But it is only a physician who can conclusively provide an answer or a means of management.
Share this:
