Men In Bras: The Medical Reason
73Gynecomastia
While for many men, wearing a bra is something linked with their sexuality, for a proportion of the male population, a bra is as necessary an item of clothing as it is for a woman. You see, sometimes men grow breasts too. While this is relatively rare for what I will term purely medical disorders, many of us are already familiar with the extra chest tissue gained by obese men. These breasts often remain even if the weight is lost, and instead of shrinking back to the ideal male chest, they form loose pouches of skin that can be rectified only by plastic surgery.
It is estimated that up to 40% of males will experience breast tissue growth during puberty, and many men find that through either hormonal imbalance, or obesity, the breasts they grow are every bit as cumbersome to them as to their female counterparts. Few men finding themselves in this position spend all day playing with them in front of the mirror, as the common male fantasy is supposed to go. Instead, the growth of breast tissue can be humiliating and demoralizing, as can the need to wear a bra.
The technical term for male breast growth is gynecomastia, and though its occurrence in adolescent males is often temporary, for many other men, the breast tissue can remain after the adolescent years. Science is as yet still undecided as to the causes of gynecomastia, however anabolic steroids have been known to induce the condition, and even marijuana is thought to be a possible, though unproven contributor.
Genetic disorders such as having an extra X sex chromosome (a condition known as Klinefelter Syndrome) often result in breast growth, as do diseases of various glands such as the pituitary gland. Certain drugs and diseases which affect a man's testosterone levels can also result in the growth of breast tissue.
Men with breast tissue find wearing a bra to be much more comfortable than allowing their breast tissue to flap about the place, especially if they are undertaking physical activity. Some men also find that they must tape down their breast tissue in order to avoid taunting and physical discomfort. Understanding is required in these situations, and perhaps if you happen to catch a glimpse of a bra in a bloke, don't leap to the conclusion that he must be dressing up as a French maid in his spare time. While this may be the case, it is also possible that he requires his brassiere for medical reasons, in which case commenting or looking at him strangely is rather cruel.
The moral of the story:
Bite your tongue there Cletus, it could be you wearing a bra next.
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Comments
I completely agree My breasts need support and I wear, and fill, a 42B bra. I wear it most of the time and feel pefectly normal in doing so. I used to have shoulder pain at times!
Gravity and Time take their toll. I find as I've aged, I have acquired a certain "bounce" as I jog down the stairs. Maybe it is time for a bra, even as dressed as a guy.
The things you don't learn on the Internet.
hello folks yes i have breast started developing many years ago finally went to my doctor who told me they were the results of side affects of medicine he was giving me and they will probably get larger ,a year later and 38dd with the pain i was having he gave me 2 choices removal of my breast or get a bra fitting and wear it he said if it were him he would never have the surgery so now today as i fill a 42ddd bra i wear one every day as i have for several years under my male clothes and due to the discomfort i must sleep in one
I have at last had the courage and got mesured properly for a bra. I was wearing the right size. My moobs hang down without and I feel lost without one
My breasts started to develop when I was only 12 because of an hormonal umbalance and, despite of the pills prescribed by my doctor, they reached an embarassing full c cup. Because I can't afford the expenses of a surgery, instead the need to wear a bra is a little humiliating for a man, bra is a necessity for me stopping my breasts bouncing.
Yes some men do need bras I do and wear 1 all the time now
My earlier note says I wear one all the time now. I even have started wearing a Shimmel at Gym (a vest with internal fitted bra). My boobs need support. I am of the opinion that in time bras will be perfectly normal for men. Incidently I got measured properly at my local Debenhams who were happy to supply me. I don't even worry now about the bra showing through shirts. The drooping boobs looke worse.
i am 20 and would like to have male breasts is there anything to grow breasts in men
I developed gynecomastia as a teenager and only came to terms with having breasts now that I'm in my 50"s. I started wearing a bra, 38B, a few years ago and really appreciate the support. Glad to see people are becoming more aware and understanding about guys with breasts and why we wear bras.
I don't believe that a doctor would give medication that would make a man grow to 42DDD. Breast growth takes years, especially to this size.
I have worn a bra for 6 years,when my doctor sent me for a fitting. It is such a relief to wear a proper fitting bra 38C ( same size as my wife) I no longer try to hide the fact that I am wearing one. I have noticed that people no longer give me a second look
I just returned from my doctors visit. I was telling her how I missed going swimming. she said why don't you wear a women's swimsuit, you will be much less noticed than if you wore a mans swimsuit. She went on to say that the purpose of bras are to support breasts female or male,so wear it and don't worry about what people think! That is their problem.
I've had breasts since I was 10 years old. I needed to wear brassieres ever since then. My Gynecomastia is currently a 44D cup and I think I'm still growing! I have no problem wearing a bra or a woman's swimsuit in public, but not all dudes are used to this. My sympathy goes out to the guys who are going through this; been there, done that! You're not alone guys (there are those of us who understand...)
Matthew says:
2 years ago
I found this article helpful. I am male, adult, and not overweight, but over the past three years my chest has gone from being flat to a full A cup. Last year my doctor diagnosed a hormonal imbalance and said that my chest can't shrink and might grow further. As my chest has grown, I have noticed movement and discomfort more and more often. As a result, I am wearing a bra more and more often. Denial did not make my breast growth disappear, but wearing a bra makes it easier to deal with. So did this article.