Meet The Man Boobs Mythbuster

There’s just as much fact as fiction circulating on the internet when it comes to what causes man boobs, or gynecomastia, if you’d prefer the more learned term. Amaris B. Clinic’s Dr Ivan Puah explains what’s true and what’s not.

While some women fret about having breasts that are too small, some guys worry about having enlarged male breasts, a medical condition known as gynecomastia.

Here’s a breakdown of some myths you might have read online about gynecomastia.

Myth 1: Your beer habit is why you’ve got man boobs

Logically, alcohol contains calories and carbs, so you’d think drinking is why you’re packing man boobs. Ironically, a review in Current Obesity Reports found drinkers weigh less than teetotallers! Beer connoisseurs who are fans of Indian Pale Ales (IPA) also tend to worry about a condition known to brewers as “Brewer’s Droop”, another name for man boobs. Why? IPAs contain phytoestrogen, a plant-based estrogen hormone- but the levels in IPAs are too low to cause significant hormonal imbalances.

Myth 2: Chest workouts are the solution to fix gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is caused by hormone imbalance, so while exercising is good, it does not resolve the underlying issue. As with women, breasts in men are made up of glandular and fatty tissue. Gynecomastia occurs when excess glandular tissue is produced. When an abundance or excess fat appears on the chest area, it is known as pseudogynecomastia (fake gynecomastia), and this condition can be treated with liposuction alone.

Myth 3: Gynecomastia is caused by obesity, not male menopause

Contrary to popular misconception, being overweight is not the only cause of gynecomastia. It may be caused by hereditary and ageing as some men experience physical changes as they age, which can be caused by male menopause or andropause.

The trouble is, too few men understand the condition: according to a survey reported in the South China Morning Post almost 80% of 500 men interviewed aged above 40 had heard about andropause yet failed on average in answering questions on its treatment and symptoms.

Its link to man boobs? Testosterone production drops during andropause, and the hormonal imbalance could lead to the development of gynecomastia.

Myth 4: Any doctor can perform a gynecomastia surgery

Nope, not every doctor can treat your manboobs. Like every medical speciality, it requires a doctor skilled in gynecomastia surgery and one who can give you the best advice from years of experience.

You might also have your vision of what your chest should look like, and you must research which doctor can help you achieve that.

Trained in gynecomastia surgery, Dr Ivan Puah recognises that each patient is unique and requires a customised approach to achieve the desired outcome. Want to get a chest you can be proud of? Make sure you check out Amaris B. Clinic!