Gynecomastia (pronounced: GUY-nuh-ko-MASS-tee-uh), which is also known as gynaecomastia and "man boobs" is a real medical condition which causes breast enlargement in men. The abnormal enlargement can be in both breasts or one, and sometimes milk will even be secreted. Technically, the condition results from the development of abnormally large mammary glands, and is more commonly seen in adolescent boys and elderly men.

In this Hub, you will learn more about gynecomastia, and learn about how to get rid of gynecomastia.

More on Gynecomastia

Usually the problem area is about one and one half inches across and is located directly under the nipple. There is often quite a bit of tenderness in the area too.

Gynecomastia is sometimes associated with obesity, but this is often actually pseudogynecomastia - or false Gynecomastia - which is caused by having excessive fat on the chest.

Actual Gynecomastia is more often caused by the hormone imbalances experienced with the onset of puberty in adolescents, and those that can occur with elderly men as well. Usually - with teenagers particularly - the problem tends to resolve itself within just a few years.

The specific causes of Gynecomastia are not completely known, but it's generally thought to be caused by an inbalance of hormones, or caused due to how the tissue responds to those hormones. It can also be caused from certain types of medications though, such as those which contain estrogens or steriods; hormone therapies; certain Cardiovascular drugs; and recreational drugs such as alcohol and marijuana.

Gynecomastia is in fact, a frequent side effect of certain ulcer treatment drugs such as Tagamet, Prilosec, and Zantac. If you find Gynecomastia developing with the use of these or similar drugs such as the type mentioned above, you may want to talk to your medical care specialist about trying alternatives.

Since Gynecomastia develops between the muscle and skin of a male's chest, simply firming up the chest muscles does not usually solve the problem either. In fact, since the enlarged glands are between the muscles and skin of your chest, building those muscles will only serve to make the Gynecomastia stand out further

Generally Gynecomastia will go away on it's own in as little as one year, but sometimes taking up to three years. It can also be treated surgically though, if it hasn't gone away on its own and has become problematic for the man either cosmetically or psychologically.

Men of all ages should be seen by a medical professional if Gynecomastia occurs though, because in rare cases it can be an early warning sign of other serious disorders such as testical tumors, tumors in the breasts, lungs or other organs in the body, or liver problems such as those seen with alcoholic cirrhosis.

If the problem has developed in a pubescent boy however, the best course of action is to simply wait and watch, because most Gynecomastia cases which occur in puberty tend to resolve themselves in less than three years.

Suggestion # 1

Speak to Your Doctor

If you're displaying symptoms of Gynecomastia and it worries you, speak to your doctor. They'll ask various questions including how long you've noticed the increased breast tissue, whether milk is being secreted, and whether the area is tender. They'll also need to know your family and personal medical history, and you'll need to fully disclose your alcohol and drug usage. At that point they may simply advise you to change some habits, change your medications if those could be the culprit, or they may run some additional tests before deciding on the best course of treatment.

Try Herbal Supplements

Herbal supplements, such as Gynexin, are formulated to remove excess fatty tissue and break down glandular tissue in the affected breast(s).

Gynexin works by targeting the fatty cells (subcutaneous adipose tissue) in the mammary glands. This unique herbal formula, developed under the direction of leading medical scientists and nutritionists, has been seen to target these fatty cells and reduce them in both size and quantity, leading the way to a more masculine and happier you!

Gynexin gradually burns fat and or glandular tissue around the breasts, and will help tighten excess skin, resulting in a flatter, firmer masculine chest.

In a study of one thousand males suffering from Gynecomastia, 90% said Gynexin had improved their chest.

Make Some Lifestyle Changes

Making changes to your diet and exercise routines can help to alleviate gynecomastia. There are specific foods that can help to burn chest fat. In addition, there are specific exercise routines that you can perform to get rid of Gynecomastia. I came across a manual on treating gyecomastia entitled "Lose Man Boobs" that has received rave reviews. It is a Coaching system which is your key to eliminating chest fat without spending $2500+ on gynecomastia surgery. Why not try it out. They have quite a few testimonials on their site, and they're offering a 60 day money back gurantee, so you have nothing to lose!