How to Emotionally Support Someone with Gynecomastia Singapore

Updated on Jul 2, 2026

Key Takeaway

• Gynecomastia affects up to 65–70% of men and is not something to be embarrassed about.
• Watch for behavioral changes (withdrawal, mood, clothing choices) as much as physical signs.
• Diet, exercise, and non-surgical treatments cannot remove glandular tissue.
• Surgery, glandular excision, liposuction, or both, is currently the only proven fix.
• Choose a doctor with specific, extensive experience in managing gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia is the enlargement of male breast tissue, and it affects an estimated 65–70% of men worldwide at some point in their lives, regardless of age.

It happens when glandular breast tissue grows, sometimes alongside excess fat, and can affect one or both breasts.

As gynecomastia is usually visible and hard to hide under clothing, it often causes real psychological distress, hurting a man's confidence and quality of life ^[3].

Here's how to recognise it in someone you love, and how to support them through it.

Signs Your Loved One May Be Suffering from Gynecomastia

Men rarely bring up gynecomastia on their own.

Instead, family members usually notice a shift in behaviour first.

Common emotional and behavioural signs in those with teenage gynecomastia include:

• Increased moodiness but not typical of a teenager's temperament
• Consistently being in low mood
• Always in baggy or oversized tops (to hide the enlarged chest), even at home
• Withdrawing from social activities, even with closest friends or family members
• Losing interest in activities they used to enjoy
• Avoiding situations where they need to remove their shirts, such as at the pools, gyms, or even in front of you
• Slouched, closed-off posture

Physically, he may also mention breast soreness, tenderness, or, in rarer cases, nipple discharge.

If you notice several of these signs, it's worth having a gentle, private conversation rather than waiting for him to bring it up himself ^[1].

Left unaddressed, gynecomastia can lead to deeper issues like low self-esteem, social isolation, and depression ^[2].

How to Start the Conversation

• Choose a private and low-pressure moment
• Lead with empathy rather than observation and with a line of questioning
• Ask how he's feeling before pointing out what you've noticed.

The goal isn't to diagnose him yourself but to let him know he's not alone and that medically proven effective treatment exists ^[5].

How to Check for Gynecomastia (At Home)

How can you tell if it's gynecomastia and not just body fat?

Two simple checks can give you a strong indication:

The pinch test

Gently pinch the chest area. If you feel a firm, fibrous mound of tissue (rather than soft fat), it's a strong sign of glandular gynecomastia.

The visual test

Enlarged breast tissue is usually obvious under a fitted shirt. In more advanced cases, the chest can take on a rounded, female-like shape with drooping skin.

A proper diagnosis still requires a doctor experienced in gynecomastia, who can confirm whether the case needs monitoring or surgery.

Can Gynecomastia Be Fixed Without Surgery? Does diet, exercise, or fat freezing treatment get rid of gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia does not respond to diet, exercise, or non-surgical fat-reduction treatments such as cryolipolysis, low-energy lasers, creams, or massage.

"Gynecomastia sufferers have excess glandular breast tissue and excess fat tissue in the majority of cases. The glandular tissue is firmer and more fibrous than fat tissue, and most importantly, it does not respond to changes in exercise or diet." — Dr Ivan Puah.

This is especially common in fit, lean men.

Dr Puah notes that many patients with under 10% body fat who train or bodybuild still develop enlarged glandular tissue, a presentation known as "true gynecomastia."

These cases require surgical removal of the gland itself.

What actually treats gynecomastia?

Surgery is the only proven, effective treatment. Depending on the case, this typically involves:

• Surgical excision of glandular tissue, and/or
• Liposuction to remove excess fat, for mixed gynecomastia (a combination of gland and fat)

What Gynecomastia Surgery Involves

Gynecomastia surgery is less invasive than most people expect.

One example is Dr Ivan Puah's proprietary 360°GTD® technique, often combined with MDC-Sculpt® Lipo, designed to:

• Permanently remove enlarged glandular tissue and excess fat
• Sculpt the chest along its natural contours
• Retract loose skin for a smoother result

"Each gynecomastia case is unique and requires an individualised approach — not just removing glandular and fatty tissue, but sculpting and defining the chest meticulously," explains Dr Puah, who received training specifically in gynecomastia surgery in the USA.

In Dr Puah's research paper titled "Surgical Management of Gynecomastia in Asian Men – Clinical Experience and Considerations for Different Patient Types," he shares the differences in skin quality and glandular tissue characteristics between Asian and Caucasian patients with gynecomastia.

These distinctions necessitate careful surgical planning, especially precise placement of incisions.

To optimise outcomes, it is essential to adapt surgical techniques to each individual, taking into account factors such as chest muscle composition, ethnicity, cause of gynecomastia and genetic predisposition to scarring.

This will help in managing potential scarring and hyperpigmentation.

How to Choose a Gynecomastia Doctor in Singapore

What should you look for in a gynecomastia doctor? Look for a doctor who:

• Performs gynecomastia surgery regularly (not occasionally)
• Has a proven track record and high patient satisfaction
• Can show a range of past case results
• Takes time to answer your questions and address concerns directly

As Dr Puah puts it, body sculpting is "30% science and 70% art.” It takes both surgical skill and an artistic eye to achieve natural-looking chest contours.