Pseudo Gynecomastia Information and Resources

Pseudo-gynecomastia, known in lay terms as “man boobs,” is the presence of excessive fat around the chest area, which causes the appearance of breasts to appear and develop. According to studies, pseudo-gynecomastia is fairly common and equally likely to appear at any age, including childhood. While real gynecomastia is caused by a hormonal disbalance and is quite difficult to take care of, pseudo-gynecomastia is often due to obesity and can be easily treated in most people.

Normal breast tissue in men contains both glandular tissue and fat. In men who are severely overweight (and especially those who have a tendency to gain weight in the upper part of their bodies), the fatty tissue becomes a lot more prominent than the breast tissue, causing an accumulation in the area right under and around the nipple and producing the typical appearance of breasts.

Not just a problem for the obese

While pseudo-gynecomastia is more often seen in obese people, it can also appear in older men, especially those who used to work-out heavily during their youth. While there is no truth to the idea that “muscle turns into fat if not used,” the fact is that bodybuilders and heavy exercisers will lose muscle definition over the years, causing the tissue to atrophy and leading to a “droopy” appearance that may resemble the look of breasts.

The good news is that pseudo-gynecomastia can be treated without the need for any invasive procedures (gynecomastia, on the other hand, usually requires surgery). Weight loss, weight training and the use of certain natural substances can all eventually help resolve the problem.