Getting rid of false gynecomastia in men. Forum about bodybuilding, powerlifting, sports nutrition and training False gynecomastia and difference from the true one

Almost every athlete who regularly takes part in gym, knows about gynecomastia or even observed this ailment in reality. This phenomenon is a benign increase in the size of the breast in representatives strong half humanity. It is usually caused by hypertrophy of adipose tissue and glands. Most often, the development of gynecomastia is typical for those bodybuilders who take anabolic steroids. The disease can be caused by other reasons.

Breast enlargement in bodybuilders is provoked by: obesity varying degrees, reception steroid drugs, teenage transitional air, a variety of diseases, accompanied by a decrease in the concentration of testosterone against the background of an increase in estrogen. Gynecomastia in bodybuilding is often referred to as "gyno". The development of this disease is afraid of most bodybuilders. This is due to the fact that it becomes the main obstacle for every bodybuilder competing in competitions.

Characteristic features of gynecomastia in bodybuilding

The phenomenon of gyno in bodybuilding has its own character traits things to be aware of:

• training cannot cause this ailment;
• the disease does not develop due to sports nutrition, if it is not on a hormonal basis;
• there is no connection between diseases such as breast cancer and gynecomastia;
• ailment is not caused by steroids if it develops through long time after the end of the course;
• gynecomastia is easier to prevent than to treat;
• prevention of gyno is the use of antiestrogenic drugs.

Gino in bodybuilding is a rather unpleasant ailment that can befall not only beginners, but also experienced bodybuilders who take part in competitions and take courses on anabolic steroids. AS are derivatives of testosterone, which, after entering the bloodstream, are exposed to aromatase, an enzyme synthesized by the adrenal glands, and turn into estrogens, female hormones. A high concentration of estrogen in the male body and becomes main reason gyno.

Stages of the disease

There are three main forms of gynecomastia, each with its own characteristics and requires different approach to treatment:

1. Developing. A reversible gyno stage that lasts for four months.
2. Intermediate. With rare exceptions, it does not require surgical intervention, it lasts from four months to a year.
3. Fibrous. An advanced stage, which can be eliminated only after the operation.

Not every anabolic steroid used by bodybuilders causes gynecomastia. Some AS have a tendency to aromatize, while others, on the contrary, do not have a tendency to influence the aromatase enzyme, that is, they do not lead to an increase in estrogens and the development of gyno. Testosterone, Methyltestosterone, Methandrostenolone are among the most dangerous anabolic steroids, and Oxandrolone, Stanozolol, Boldenone, Oxandrolone are safe.

Prevention of gynecomastia, drugs for gynecomastia

Preventing the development of gyno allows taking estrogen receptor blockers on a course of anabolic steroids. Antiestrogenic drugs used in bodybuilding are Tamoxifen, Clomid. Sometimes they take Proviron. This drug interferes with the production of estrogen.

Sensitivity to estradiol is different for every athlete, so gynecomastia in bodybuilders does not develop as often as many mistakenly believe. A well-designed course program, prevention, post-cycle therapy, regular monitoring hormonal background can reduce the risk of developing gyno to a minimum.

Gynecomastia in bodybuilding can be prevented in a variety of ways, but this disease can only be cured by surgery. Surgical intervention, as a rule, does not leave any visible marks behind, and allows you to return to the training process after 2 weeks. Full recovery takes from 1 to 2 months. Re-development gyno is found, but quite rare.

Getting rid of false gynecomastia in men

The word gynecomastia is of ancient Greek origin and literally means " female breast". It is clear that this is a pathology, or an aesthetic defect, in men. Male chest can increase as a result of growth muscle tissue(to pump up), and according to the female type - due to the growth of adipose, connective and glandular tissue, and it is the latter option that is called gynecomastia, which is true and false gynecomastia.

Who is at risk?

Gynecomastia can occur as a result of taking steroid drugs in athletes and bodybuilders, and may occur as a result of hormonal failure. All bodybuilding lovers need to understand that when taking strong drugs, such as steroids, a number of side effects almost always occur. It can be baldness or increased hairiness, acne rash and many others. But nothing attracts far less enthusiastic looks than false gynecomastia.

Moreover, at the beginning of the process, most young men are embarrassed to address this problem to doctors, as a result, the process starts up so much that in the end they have to do an expensive operation.

Gynecomastia looks especially ugly in the case of total weight loss after obesity, i.e. Strong weight loss, weight loss more than 15-20 kg. The chest sags, the nipples become simply huge. All this causes a man serious psycho-emotional and aesthetic discomfort. But even with the regular use of elastic bandages and other means of hiding sagging breasts, the condition is so serious that men even change their posture, a pronounced stoop appears.

False gynecomastia and difference from true

Let's start with the fact that true and false gynecomastia in men differ little in appearance. In both cases, seals first appear on the breast in the nipple area, as a result, the breast gradually becomes female. That is, the nipples begin to blur and stretch, the hair falls out and the breast becomes more female form. With false gynecomastia, compaction and breast enlargement occurs due to the accumulation of fat, it is deposited according to the female type.

With true gynecomastia, growth occurs due to the glandular tissue, which is first felt near the nipple in the form of a seal, similar to a pea or bean. Quite common and combined type gynecomastia, when all types of tissues develop (glandular, fatty, connective). But the female breast is 90% composed of adipose tissue. Therefore, in men, the most expressive and outwardly noticeable is false gynecomastia.

Causes of Gynecomastia

For effective treatment This pathology must first be understood for what reason it began to develop. And she can appear in adolescence, and in his declining years. There are three main reasons that trigger the process of breast growth in men:

1. Stress leading to hormonal imbalance.
2. Obesity against the background of endogenous hormonal failure.
3. Hormonal failure as a result of taking steroid drugs.

The first option is quite often observed in adolescents under 18 years of age, that is, during puberty. At this age, the body is being restructured, and disturbances in the hormonal system can easily occur.

If you are obese, you need to understand that the production of estrogens, that is, female hormones, affects the excess of adipose tissue. These hormones can also come in high amounts from food if you are into broiler meat. The fatter a person is, the more female hormones accumulate in the body, even if it is a male.

And, of course, taking anabolic steroids directly affects the disruption of the hormonal system, including provoking an increase in the production of female hormones to stabilize the body.

Treatment of the disease

In the beginning, it always makes sense to try taking drugs that suppress the production of estrogen. But you can’t do it on your own until you consult a doctor. You need to understand that jokes with hormonal drugs can end badly. Before you start taking these drugs, you need to pass full examination at the endocrinologist and to hand over a heap of analyses.

Mandatory component proper treatment gynecomastia is healthy lifestyle life, diet for weight loss and exercise. But quite often it happens that with absolutely normal weight or even mild anorexia, it is still impossible to get rid of body fat. In this case, you have to go for a radical treatment of false gynecomastia - surgical operation, which in this case is actually liposuction in the breast area or, for women, breast reduction.

How is the operation done?

Before the operation, an ultrasound of the mammary glands is necessarily performed to differentiate false gynecomastia from the true one. Tests for the hormones estradiol and prolactin are also given. If their indicators are above the norm, then the patient is prescribed appropriate inhibitors. During the preliminary examination, other important points are also clarified that allow you to get rid of false gynecomastia once and for all.

Plastic surgery is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made in the nipple area, through which all glandular (if any) and adipose tissue is removed. It is often necessary to remove part of the stretched skin. In the end, everything is sewn up and after a day or two the patient is discharged from the clinic home. Later, another cosmetic surgery may be needed to reduce the nipples and areolas if they are too stretched. The cost of a standard operation is about $1,500.

Features of the postoperative period

The first 2 weeks (until the stitches are removed) you need to avoid any physical activity. Intensive exercise in the gym is prohibited in the same way as a bath or sauna. Healing is complete within 4 months. It is advisable to wear compression stockings or bandages. This is especially important in the first weeks, for the prevention of edema.

It happens that in place of the removed tissues accumulates a large number of liquor and to remove it, you even have to put a drain. To prevent this from happening, it is important to provide the operated breast with sufficient compression. The operation itself does not pose any danger, but after it you will have to carefully monitor your hormonal background, nutrition and lifestyle, so that troubles do not return.

How to get rid of gynecomastia at home

Gynecomastia is a disease in which the male breast increases in size. This condition causes not only discomfort, but also serious problem with health, as it is associated with a violation of the hormonal background. This pathology, unfortunately, is observed quite often, and many men do not know how to get rid of it. Only a doctor can help in this matter.

Reasons for the development of gynecomastia

The etiology of the disease is associated with a deficiency in the male body of the hormone testosterone and an excess of estrogen. In some cases, such hormonal disbalance due to the intake of natural estrogens contained in foods, such as beer.

In addition, the following pathologies can lead to the development of the disease:

• hyperprolactinemia;
• taking steroids;
• cirrhosis of the liver;
• diseases of the kidneys and adrenal glands;
• endocrine disorders;
• cancer of the testicles, stomach, lungs, pancreas;
• pituitary tumors;
• tuberculosis;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• hypogonadism.

The most common type of gynecomastia is false, which occurs in men who are obese.

There is also physiological gynecomastia, which is observed:

1. In infants, when the mother's hormones are passed through the placenta, signs of the disease persist until one month old and pass without any consequences;
2. In adolescent boys, in cases where there is a temporary hormonal imbalance, it disappears within two years;
3. IN old age when a man has a decrease in the hormone testosterone and a significant increase in weight.

Gynecomastia often develops against the background of hereditary predisposition. In some cases, the cause of gynecomastia is difficult to establish: this type of disease is called idiopathic.

Symptoms of the disease

The disease can be manifested by very unpleasant symptoms:

• impotence;
• violation of libido;
• fatigue and weakness.

In babies, there is swelling in the chest area, in rare cases, there is a release of colostrum.

In adult men, there is an increase in the mammary glands up to 10 cm in diameter and up to 150 g in weight. You can also detect swelling of the nipple and darkening of the halo around it - this phenomenon is typical for women during lactation. Often there is soreness of the nipples, discomfort and tension, but more often an increase in the mammary glands in men is not associated with any sensations.

The disease has the following stages:

1. Proliferating (developing): in this case, drug treatment will be sufficient.
2. Intermediate, during which the maturation of the glandular tissue occurs. This stage can last up to a year.
3. Fibrous - during this period, connective and adipose tissue develops and grows. It becomes almost impossible to stop this pathology with the help of drug therapy.

Diagnosis of gynecomastia

To conduct a complete examination and identify the cause of the development of the disease, you should contact a surgeon, mammologist, endocrinologist and andrologist.

• laboratory blood tests for hormones;
• Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
• CT scan of the adrenal glands or thyroid gland.
• mammography;
• biopsy.

Treatment of gynecomastia

Physiological and age-related gynecomastia is not treated. Hormonal disorders associated with this type of disease go away on their own after stabilization occurs. If boys have high concentrations of estrogens, hormonal therapy is performed:

• Tamoxifen;
• Dehydrotestosterone;
• Clomiphene;
• Danazol;
• Testolactone.

Conservative drug therapy for gynecomastia is very effective in initial stages diseases in adults. Such treatment is appropriate to carry out in the first 4 months from the onset of initial symptoms.

If estrogen is found in excess, antiestrogen therapy is carried out with the drug Tamoxifen, which blocks female hormones and does not allow the mammary glands to develop.

Treatment of gynecomastia that arose during the reception hormonal drugs(steroids) is not required, the disease disappears immediately after stopping their intake.

False gynecomastia treated with weight correction, in rare cases, liposuction is required.

When conservative methods surgical treatment of gynecomastia is ineffective in order to remove the glandular tissues in the breast and restore its normal contour.

Surgical methods

When the disease enters the third stage drug therapy it will not be possible to cure it, the help of surgeons will be required. There are several surgical techniques to remove breast tissue. The method is chosen by the attending physician together with the patient.

Surgery is performed to treat true and false gynecomastia. Held the following types operations:

1. Conventional mastectomy: complete removal mammary gland together with the areola. Currently, such operations are performed only for oncological diseases.
2. Subcutaneous mastectomy is performed using a paraareolar incision, while the nipple and peripapillary region are not damaged.
3. Mastectomy with liposuction. Removal of the mammary gland is performed using a paraareolar incision, then the removal of adipose tissue is performed in order to restore the normal shape of the breast.
4. Endoscopy. Such a mastectomy can be performed in cases where the increase in the mammary glands is insignificant.

Consequences of the operation
After any surgical treatment would need recovery period Sometimes the doctor prescribes painkillers.

Bruising and swelling may remain in the chest area for some time. To alleviate this condition, you will need to wear special compressive underwear for a month.

For some time, you will have to give up sexual activity and physical activity.

How to get rid of gynecomastia without surgery

In order to recover from this disease without resorting to surgical intervention, you need to get rid of bad habits and eat right.

If breast enlargement is due overweight, will help special physical exercise.

For regulation normal level testosterone in the male body must be included in daily diet foods rich in zinc. These products include:

• seeds of watermelon;
• mutton;
• beef;
• oysters;
• peanut;
• sesame;
• beef liver.

At the same time, products that contain natural estrogens should be excluded:

The disease gynecomastia is very serious and requires careful diagnosis, first of all it is necessary to exclude the presence of oncology. The main thing is not to fall into despair and clearly understand that this disease is treated. However, it must be remembered that before treating gynecomastia, one should be healed of diseases whose symptom is an increase in the mammary glands.

How to get rid of gynecomastia in men: treatment without surgery at home

Gynecomastia is a pathology of the male mammary glands. They increase, become heavier, the patient feels pain and an unpleasant feeling of fullness.

With uncontrolled growth of the glands, surgical intervention is possible, but in many cases conservative treatment can be limited.

At the disposal of the doctor and the patient is a whole list of suitable medicines and proven home recipes.

In this article we are talking on the topic: gynecomastia in men, treatment at home.

Features of the disease

Gynecomastia is not among the dangerous pathologies. In some cases, if gynecomastia is not treated, the growth of the gland can provoke the appearance of a malignant tumor, but more often pathological increase healthy glandular or adipose tissues are affected.

They grow due to different reasons, the most common are:

• long-term use of hormonal drugs;
• consequences of inflammatory or autoimmune diseases;
• taking steroids;
• drug use;
• alcoholism;
• obesity;
• violation of metabolic processes serious illnesses (diabetes, pulmonary tuberculosis, diffuse toxic goiter).

The risk group includes children and adolescents whose hormonal system is not yet balanced, older men whose body produces an increased amount of estrogen against the background of a decrease in testosterone levels. Gynecomastia can be true or false, with the abolition of provoking factors, it may disappear without treatment. You can learn about the symptoms and first signs of gynecomastia in this article.

About the features of the disease in the following video:

Gynecomastia in men: treatment without surgery

Surgical intervention is indicated for tumor lesions or after a long course of medication that did not give positive results. However, more commonly used conservative therapy or treatment of gynecomastia without surgery.

1. At the beginning of the disease, preparations containing testosterone are effective.
2. If there is an increased content of estrogens in the body, the patient receives suppressive drugs. Tamoxifen has proven itself well, reducing the effect of estrogen on the mammary glands.
3. With gynecomastia in adolescents and young adults, drugs that stimulate the independent production of testosterone are often prescribed. These include Clomiphene, Danazol, Dihydrotestosterone, Testolactone.

The course and dosage are prescribed by the doctor, usually the treatment does not exceed 2-3 weeks.

Clomiphene for gynecomastia and other drugs

Gynecomastia drugs for men:

Antiestrogenic drugs such as Clomiphene will help suppress the excess production of female sex hormones. The drug is available in the form of tablets, the tolerance of the body is good. The drug enhances the production of prolactin, inhibits the activity of estrogens, reduces body fat by female type.

The drug is not prescribed for renal or liver failure And autoimmune diseases. After the end of the course, it is desirable to make a spermogram. Up to 50 mg of the drug is taken per day, divided into 2 doses, the course of treatment is 3-4 months.

Ranitidan has a similar effect. Film-coated tablets are taken 1-2 times a day before meals with plenty of water. Daily dose- from 75 to 150 mg. The exact course is calculated by the doctor.

The drug helps to reduce overgrown adipose and glandular tissue, improves metabolism, promotes normal digestion. Not assigned for malignant tumors, diabetes mellitus, heart disease and individual intolerance.

For the treatment of true or false gynecomastia, preparations containing testosterone are used. One of the popular remedies is Androgel. The medicine is a liquid gel packaged in sachets of 25 or 50 mg. The drug contains testosterone, isopropyl myristate, ethanol, carbopol, sodium hydroxide and purified water.

The tool has a positive effect on the development of secondary male sexual characteristics, reduces body fat and stimulates natural muscle growth. Not recommended for heart, kidney or liver failure, malignant tumors, epilepsy and hypersensitivity to testosterone.


Androgel for gynecomastia is applied to the muscles of the chest, shoulders and abdomen immediately after opening the sachet. It is not necessary to rub the drug. A single dose is 5 g, gradually it can be increased to 10-15 g. The amount of testosterone begins to increase on the 3rd day of treatment. The course is prescribed by a doctor, an overdose can cause skin irritation, nausea and other side effects.

The following video describes the effect of antiestrogenic drugs prescribed for gynecomastia:

Traditional medicine: the best recipes

To the question of how to remove gynecomastia without surgery, there is also an answer in folk medicine. In the pharmacy, you can buy supplements containing ginseng extract, ginkgo biloba, echinacea, yohimbe bark.

These plants stimulate the production of testosterone and naturally reduce the amount of female sex hormones.

Eliminate hormonal imbalance will help homemade tincture. Fresh lovage root is thoroughly washed and crushed.

2 tbsp. spoons of raw materials are poured into 500 ml of dry red wine. The mixture is heated over low heat until foam appears. You can't boil the drink.

After removing from the stove, it is infused for 3 days under a closed lid. You need to take the tincture every day for 2 weeks. The usual dose is 1 small glass one hour after dinner.

Herbal collection will help reduce swelling in the mammary glands.

100 g of ginseng root and 50 g of Siberian ginseng are mixed with 50 g of licorice root and 50 g of crushed raspberry leaves. 1 st. a spoonful of the mixture is poured with 2 cups of boiling water and infused under the lid for half an hour.

The finished infusion is drunk during the day in small portions, preferably before meals or 2 hours after it. The course of treatment is 1-2 weeks.

Thyme decoction will help improve metabolism and normalize hormonal levels. 2 tbsp. tablespoons of dry or fresh thyme herb are poured with a liter of water and boiled for 5-10 minutes over low heat. Then the liquid is infused for 1 hour, filtered and drunk before meals.

Daily dose - 1 cup. Ready broth can be added to the bath. The course of treatment is 10-14 days, if necessary, it is repeated after a short break.

Lifestyle, nutrition, exercise

Continuing the topic: gynecomastia, how to treat at home, let's talk about lifestyle and proper nutrition. Supplement drug treatment lifestyle changes are needed.

For the drugs to work:

• it is important to eliminate stress;
• rest more;
• ensure a good night's sleep.

It is desirable to increase physical activity.

1. Beneficial walks on fresh air, jogging, swimming, cycling.
2. It is also possible to exercise in the gym without overexertion.
3. Morning should start with a charge that launches metabolic processes and improving general state organism.
4. It is important to strengthen the muscles of the chest and shoulder girdle, as well as the back and abs. Exercises with dumbbells, an expander, a rubber band are suitable.

The patient's task is to develop muscles and reduce the fat layer that stimulates the production of estrogen.. This will help both hide gynecomastia and improve well-being.

An obligatory point is the rejection of bad habits. Alcohol inhibits the production of testosterone and causes a sharp hormonal imbalance.. Harmless at first glance, beer contains phytoestrogens, which cause an increase in body weight with the deposition of fat according to the female principle.

With an existing predisposition, even small doses ethyl alcohol can accelerate the development of pathology and greatly weaken the effectiveness of medicines.

Now you know exactly how to get rid of gynecomastia at home. Do not forget about another very important point - a balanced diet. Overweight men need to lose weight by consuming no more than 2500 kilocalories per day (subject to average physical activity).

Need to exclude:

• smoked meats;
• pickles;
• hydrogenated fats and sweets.

The menu includes foods that lower estrogen levels.

These include:

Useful fresh tomatoes, as well as tomato sauces and juices rich in lycopene. As you can see, gynecomastia without surgery is quite treatable.

Gynecomastia - an unpleasant defect causing mental and physical discomfort. If needed for surgical intervention no, you know how to treat gynecomastia in men at home. Medications selected by the doctor complement folk recipes, a balanced diet and the rejection of bad habits.

The word gynecomastia is of ancient Greek origin and literally means “female breast”. It is clear that this is a pathology, or an aesthetic defect, in men. The male breast can increase both due to the growth of muscle tissue (pump up), and according to the female type - due to the growth of adipose, connective and glandular tissue, and it is the latter option that is called gynecomastia, which can be true and false gynecomastia.

Who is at risk?

Gynecomastia can occur as a result of taking steroid drugs in athletes and bodybuilders, and may occur as a result of hormonal failure. All bodybuilding enthusiasts need to understand that when taking potent drugs, such as steroids, there are almost always a number of side effects. It can be baldness or increased hairiness, acne rash and many others. But nothing attracts far less enthusiastic looks than false gynecomastia.

Moreover, at the beginning of the process, most young men are embarrassed to address this problem to doctors, as a result, the process starts up so much that in the end they have to do an expensive operation.

Gynecomastia looks especially ugly in the case of total weight loss after obesity, i.e. Strong weight loss, weight loss more than 15-20 kg. The chest sags, the nipples become simply huge. All this causes a man serious psycho-emotional and aesthetic discomfort. But even with the regular use of elastic bandages and other means of hiding sagging breasts, the condition is so serious that men even change their posture, a pronounced stoop appears.

False gynecomastia and difference from true

Let's start with the fact that true and false gynecomastia in men differ little in appearance. In both cases, seals first appear on the breast in the nipple area, as a result, the breast gradually becomes female. That is, the nipples begin to blur and stretch, the hair falls out and the breasts take on a more feminine shape. With false gynecomastia, compaction and breast enlargement occurs due to the accumulation of fat, it is deposited according to the female type.

With true gynecomastia, growth occurs due to the glandular tissue, which is first felt near the nipple in the form of a seal, similar to a pea or bean. Quite often there is a combined type of gynecomastia, when all types of tissues (glandular, fatty, connective) develop. But the female breast is 90% composed of adipose tissue. Therefore, in men, the most expressive and outwardly noticeable is false gynecomastia.

Causes of Gynecomastia

For effective treatment of this pathology, you must first understand why it began to develop. And it can appear in adolescence, and in his declining years. There are three main reasons that trigger the process of breast growth in men:

1. Stress leading to hormonal imbalance.
2. Obesity against the background of endogenous hormonal failure.
3. Hormonal failure as a result of taking steroid drugs.

The first option is quite often observed in adolescents under 18 years of age, that is, during puberty. At this age, the body is being restructured, and disturbances in the hormonal system can easily occur.

If you are obese, you need to understand that the production of estrogens, that is, female hormones, affects the excess of adipose tissue. These hormones can also come in high amounts from food if you are into broiler meat. The fatter a person is, the more female hormones accumulate in the body, even if it is a male.

And, of course, taking anabolic steroids directly affects the disruption of the hormonal system, including provoking an increase in the production of female hormones to stabilize the body.

Treatment of the disease

In the beginning, it always makes sense to try taking drugs that suppress estrogen production. But you can’t do it on your own until you consult a doctor. You need to understand that jokes with hormonal drugs can end badly. Before you start taking such drugs, you need to undergo a complete examination by an endocrinologist and pass a bunch of tests.

An obligatory component of the correct treatment of gynecomastia is a healthy lifestyle, a diet for weight loss and exercise. But quite often it happens that with absolutely normal weight or even mild anorexia, it is still impossible to get rid of body fat. In this case, one has to go for a radical treatment of false gynecomastia - a surgical operation, which in this case is actually liposuction in the chest area or, for women, breast reduction and.

How is the operation done?

Before the operation, an ultrasound of the mammary glands is necessarily performed to differentiate false gynecomastia from the true one. Tests for the hormones estradiol and prolactin are also given. If their indicators are above the norm, then the patient is prescribed appropriate inhibitors. During the preliminary examination, other important points are also clarified that allow you to get rid of false gynecomastia once and for all.

Plastic surgery is performed under general anesthesia. An incision is made in the nipple area, through which all glandular (if any) and adipose tissue is removed. It is often necessary to remove part of the stretched skin. In the end, everything is sewn up and after a day or two the patient is discharged from the clinic home. Later, another cosmetic surgery may be needed to reduce the nipples and areolas if they are too stretched. The cost of a standard operation is about $1,500.

Features of the postoperative period

The first 2 weeks (until the stitches are removed) you need to avoid any physical activity. Intensive exercise in the gym is prohibited as well as a bath or sauna. Healing is complete within 4 months. It is advisable to wear compression stockings or bandages. This is especially important in the first weeks, for the prevention of edema.

It happens that a large amount of cerebrospinal fluid accumulates at the site of the removed tissues, and it is even necessary to install drainage to remove it. To prevent this from happening, it is important to provide the operated breast with sufficient compression. The operation itself does not pose any danger, but after it you will have to carefully monitor your hormonal levels, nutrition and lifestyle so that the troubles do not return.

About the author: Larisa Vladimirovna Lukina

An increase in the mammary glands due to the growth of adipose tissue can become a big problem for the stronger sex. psychological problem. And although false gynecomastia in men does not pose a danger to their health, male conceit suffers significantly. In addition, the factors that cause false gynecomastia may not be harmless. Therefore, when breast growth appears in a man, he needs to be examined by a doctor. Why does the representatives of the stronger sex have false gynecomastia, what diagnosis and treatment is required - read the article.

Etiology

With false gynecomastia, a man's chest increases due to subcutaneous fat and supporting connective tissue partitions. Therefore other names this disease- lipomastia, fatty gynecomastia or adiposomastia (from Latin adipis - fat). The causes of local fat deposition in lipomastia may be the following factors:

• Overweight (as in photo 1).
• Hormonal imbalance (testicular atrophy, choriocarcinoma, decreased thyroid function, adolescence and old age).
• Hormone-producing tumors (adrenal, pituitary, testicles).
• bronchial cancer.
• Liver diseases (alcoholic dystrophy, cirrhosis).
• Taking certain medications and bodybuilding drugs.

Most often, false gynecomastia is provoked by the banal obesity of men. Moreover, as in cases of hormonal imbalance, obesity leads to an increase in the blood level of female sex hormones. A certain contribution to these changes is made by the enzyme of adipose tissue - aromatase, which converts testosterone into the female hormone estrogen. Due to the increased content of female sex hormones, the entire figure of a patient with gynecomastia acquires a vague female form - the fat in such a person tends to be deposited on the abdomen, thighs and buttocks (photo 2 and photo 3).

The disease can occur at any age.

An increase in the content of female sex hormones is also observed in malignant tumors. respiratory tract and taking hormonal drugs. A violation of liver function is accompanied by the preservation of the mechanisms for the utilization of male sex hormones with a simultaneous decrease in its ability to inactivate estrogens. In this regard, the concentration of female hormones also increases.

The above factors are typical for adult men. However, lipomastia is also observed at a different age:

• In teenagers.
• In the elderly.
• In newborns.

In adolescence, breast growth is observed as a result of hormonal fluctuations. In this case, most often there is a mixed, that is, both true and false gynecomastia, when both fat and glandular tissue grow in the area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe mammary gland. This is what determines that teenage lipomastia is the most difficult form for treatment among fatty gynecomastia. In addition, connective tissue bridges at this age are very dense, and they contribute to the preservation of body fat, even when a teenager loses weight.

In older men, gynecomastia is also caused hormonal imbalance against the background of aging of the body and a decrease in testosterone production. In newborns, lipomastia can be observed against the background breastfeeding. It usually resolves within a month after birth.

Diagnosis

Usually, in patients with false gynecomastia, there are no signs of deterioration in well-being. Anxiety causes only a visible increase in the breast. However, before prescribing treatment, the doctor always determines why the breast is enlarged (glandular tissue or fat has grown), and the degree of its increase (photo 4).

Signs of false gynecomastia and its differences from the true are shown in the table.

False gynecomastia must be distinguished from other benign and malignant diseases of the mammary glands. For this, as well as in order to identify a possible serious cause of lipomastia, the following types of laboratory and instrumental studies are carried out:

1. Blood test for the content of female and male sex hormones.
2. Biochemical study of liver function.
3. Chest x-ray.
4. Ultrasound of the mammary glands and nearby lymph nodes.
5. Testicular ultrasound.
6. CT scan of the adrenal glands.

As prescribed by the doctor, other studies or observations of specialists may be needed: a mammologist, surgeon, urologist, etc.

To confirm the diagnosis, you need to pass a series of tests.

Therapy

Since lipomastia leads to significant psychological discomfort, many methods of its treatment have now been developed.

The main are 2 tricks with which you can reset excess weight and reduce the amount of fatty tissue in the chest area:

• Diet.
• Sport.

In the diet, it is very important to follow the recommendation of exceeding the daily calorie intake over their intake. For this, calorie counters are used, which are now very numerous on the network. You can register on any weight loss site that has something similar. The principle of their action is as follows:

1. First, according to personal data, the number of kilocalories spent on the main metabolism (providing all life processes at rest at a comfortable temperature). Eating less than this threshold is highly undesirable. Otherwise, the body will slow down the metabolic rate.
2. Then the consumption rate is calculated. To do this, the value of the main exchange is multiplied by a coefficient corresponding to your physical activity and the rate at which you would like to lose weight.
3. Further, in these calculators, it is necessary to note the weight of all foods eaten during the day. It is necessary to do this as carefully as possible, because the success of the entire event depends on the observance of the daily calorie intake.

Of course, in order to burn fat, it is best to eat low-fat and low-carb foods. However, the basis of weight loss is precisely the balance of energy consumption and energy expenditure.

Therefore, if you want to eat tasty, but not enough, then eat, it’s also possible. The diet should include a large number of foods rich in protein and vitamins, as well as consume a sufficient amount of unsalted liquid. Salt is best kept to a minimum.

In severe forms of obesity, drugs are prescribed that increase metabolism and reduce appetite (Lindaksa, Sibutramine) or reduce the absorption of fats (Listata, Xenical).

With inefficiency conservative treatment, the operation is scheduled.

Along with diet and medications physical exercises are also prescribed for weight loss. They are aimed at both general strengthening of the body and strengthening the pectoral muscles: push-ups from the floor, push-ups from the wall, etc.

Operational correction

If conservative treatment of lipomastia is ineffective, the doctor will recommend surgery. Surgical treatment is of several types:

• Liposuction (laser and conventional).
• Metapexy with liposuction.

Metapexy is a skin tightening on the chest, which may be required after the removal of a large amount of fat. Metapexy is often prescribed if surgical treatment required for adolescents, because connective tissue bridges tightly fix fat and do not allow it to be removed only with the help of liposuction.

Liposuction allows you to effectively remove soft fat deposits with lipomastia. Suction of fat can be carried out with a vacuum simply through a cannula or carried out after the destruction of adipose tissue with a laser. Laser techniques are preferable because they give an excellent cosmetic effect and do not require a long rehabilitation period. However, they can only be used for mild forms of lipomastia, since the laser does not destroy rough connective tissue septa.

Thus, the presence of false gynecomastia in men can cause them significant anxiety. In most cases, lipomastia is provoked by excess weight, and its treatment is directly related to the normalization of body weight and metabolism. But along with this, breast enlargement in men can be caused by serious diseases that must be treated first. Therefore, before determining the method of treatment, the doctor in without fail conducts a wide diagnosis of the state of the whole body of a man.

And it would seem that you can calmly use a combination of methandrostenolone and sustanon, but no… Suddenly, seals appear in the nipples from nowhere. First, they begin to itch terribly (a sign of increased prolactin), and then the seals themselves appear, which we call gynecomastia.

Why does it appear and where does it come from?

First, it should be said that gynecomastia is formed due to prolactin. It is prolactin that is responsible for the enlargement of the mammary glands (we call them “seals” in our article). Progesterone, in turn, is partly responsible for their formation. But the signal for the appearance of gynecomastia is precisely elevated estradiol (often along with elevated prolactin). But what is most interesting is that gynecomastia is not able to form with zero prolactin under any circumstances.

That is why it will not work to extinguish the first foci of gynecomastia with tamoxifen. If you have once developed gynecomastia, then even if you extinguish it with aromatase inhibitors, it will still appear again sooner or later. Of course, if you once and for all decide to stop using steroids, then the likelihood of its occurrence will decrease significantly. However, you should be aware that, for example, the same prolactin may increase not only as a result of taking steroids. So overtraining or just nervous stress able to increase prolactin worse than that or nandrolone decanoate. As for estradiol itself, even more factors can contribute to its increase. The first is the fat cells themselves.

Everyone has them. Every second in our time has a small fat layer on the stomach. Secondly, age (especially after 30 years) also contributes to the increase. Estradiol. Thirdly, foodstuffs also do not bypass others. this factor. The same soy protein increases estradiol. Alcohol not only increases estradiol, but also helps to reduce testosterone in the blood for a while. Dates are also not useful product. Not only do they not sickly increase blood sugar, they are also considered the number one product for increasing this very estradol.

Thus, anything can provoke the formation of gynecomastia. I have seen cases of gynecomastia in men with low estradiol and prolactin, but with high progesterone (in terms of recommended norms). At the same time, the author himself did not feel any symptoms of the appearance of gynecomastia when using large amounts of sustanon and methandrostenolone, but at the same time felt these symptoms in full when using 500 mg of nandrolone decaonate per week.

It is nandrolone that is the most dangerous steroid of all known to the author, since it increases both prolactin and progesterone at times. If you use nandrolone together with testosterone esters (sustanon, testosterone propionate and others), then the formation of gynecomastia is guaranteed to you. In fact, for the formation of gynecomastia, it is only necessary that one of the three female hormone rose above the norm. The other two may well remain normal. For the formation of gynecomastia, it is necessary that the body retains normal value prolactin and it is not necessary that it be elevated. That is why, from the point of view of the author of the article, no matter what the course is, prolactin should be reduced literally to zero.

The author of the article does not agree with those who say that prolactin inhibitors should be taken only on the course of nandrolone, oxymetalone and trenbolone. The same cabergoline (a prolactin inhibitor) should be present even on a solo course of testosterone propionate, which would seem to be safe for us. Why? Yes, because testosterone propionate will somehow lead sooner or later to an elevated level of estradiol, and as we have already said, gynecomastia is formed under the condition of an increase in either estradiol, or prolactin, or even progesterone.

On the other hand, in terms of the appearance of gynecomastia, everything is purely individual. I know guys who have been on high doses of testosterone and nandrolone for years (while not using anastrozole, cabergoline, or even tamoxifen) and they don’t have any gynecomastia. Whether it's a matter of temperament, or they do not have the beginnings for gynecomastia. Unclear…

If you have a predisposition to gynecomastia, then never use either nandrolone, or trenbolone, or oxymetalone. It is these three steroids that contribute to a significant increase in prolactin and progesterone. Even the use of 25 mg (half a tablet) of anastrozole for a month leads to a twofold increase in both prolactin and progesterone. The use of tamoxifen also leads to an increase in progesterone.

It should be said that tamoxifen, which many use on PCT, not only leads to an increase in progesterone, but also leads to a significant decrease in somatomedin, without which muscle growth is simply impossible. By the way, the purpose of the course of growth hormone is precisely to increase the content of somatomedin in the blood.
For people who have a predisposition to gynecomastia, I would advise not only not to use steroids with progestogenic activity, but also to add cabergoline to your course. 1 tablet of cabergoline (dostinex or bergolac) will be enough

Is it necessary to be afraid of the appearance of gynecomastia after its removal by surgery?

Unfortunately yes. The fact is that during the operation, the surgeon only shortens mammary gland. If he removes it completely, he will simply disfigure your chest. And it just so happened that after the operation, every third, due to the use of steroids, gynecomastia is formed again. Read the forms ... There are a lot of such cases.

There are two options here.
1. Treatment with medicines. It is necessary to take tests primarily for progesterone and estradiol and find out which of these hormones is too high. We will have to lower prolactin to zero in any case. Let's look at the analysis. If progesterone and (or) estradiol are overestimated or close to the upper recommended value, then everything must be done to reduce these values ​​several times. Progesterone can be reduced by taking Genale, and estradiol by taking a combination of anastrozole and tamoxifen (the former will reduce estradiol and the latter will block the increase in estradiol).

If the procedures for the global reduction of estradiol, prolactin and progesterone do not give desired results within a month, it remains only surgical intervention. If de procedures lead to the desired effect, then you should not rejoice either. Relapse is possible at any time. If gynecomastia was formed once, then it can instantly form at any other time. In addition, a decrease in the aforementioned hormones can lead to temporary infertility, reduced athletic performance and other side effects.

2. Non-traditional methods. The author of this article (like many Russian surgeons) tried to get rid of gynecomastia by injecting various antifibrotic drugs into this very gynecomastia, such as Lidaza, etc. There have also been attempts to eliminate gynecomastia by injecting diclofenac. Not only was there no result from such events, but it also happened that what is called something that no one certainly expected. Gynecomastia has increased even more. The fact is that any stimulation in the nipple area leads only to an increase in mammary gland. A similar situation occurs in nursing mothers. The baby, when he starts to suck on the breast, leads to irritation of the nipple. Next comes the signal to the brain. In response, the brain sends a signal to the body to increase prolactin and milk production to feed the baby. Of course, all this is done along with an increase in other hormones.

3. Surgical method. Speaking of this method, it should be said that they resort to it when the volume of gynecomastia is at least 5 cm in circumference. Living with gyno is not the best the best way. The fact is that gynecomastia itself contributes to an additional load on the liver (increased ALT and AST). That is why the sooner you cut it, the better.
Thus, in order for gynecomastia to never appear, the athlete should use cabergoline throughout the course. If the risk of gynecomastia is high, then you should not use nandrolone decaonate, oxymetalone and trenbolone. If possible on the course, it is best to use short preparations such as testosterone propionate, methandrostenolone, stanozolol, etc. If gynecomastia has already appeared, then you should wait until it increases significantly in size and safely cut it out from the surgeon.

Gynecomastia: surgery through the eyes of an eyewitness.

So, you have decided to have gynecomastia surgery. We tried a bunch of methods, and they, as the author of this article, did not give results. And yet they decided .. What needs to be done in this case.
Firstly, you should not climb into the forums and draw information from there. Believe me, all people are different to me and everyone sees the situation in their own way (not always correctly). Yes, indeed, many have had the operation for free in the city hospital and they have seals (fibrosis) after it. But the same side effects are also observed in patients who underwent the operation for a fee and I assure you, the amounts there fluctuate not small, from 50-70 tr. Side effects in the form of the appearance of fibrosis (cartilaginous tissue) are formed when the patient does not follow the recommendations of the attending physician. For example, many stop ahead of schedule wear an elastic bandage. However, no one denies the surgical error.

The author of this article is not a supporter of such operations on a paid basis, so he performed an operation in a free hospital. How it was? About everything in order.
In order for the surgeon to give you a referral to the hospital, you need to sign up for paid reception to the mammologist and ultrasound. This procedure will cost you 500-1000 rubles. On the basis of the ultrasound, the mammologist will give you a conclusion about bilateral gynecomastia, with which you will go to see the surgeon. The surgeon, on the basis of the indicated conclusion, will write you a referral for testing. As a rule, they are rented in two rooms and take about two hours. After receiving the results of the tests, the surgeon will give you a referral to the hospital, where after a series of bureaucratic procedures (such as registration at the registry office, packing your clothes in the wardrobe, etc.) you will be issued.

After you receive your bed in the ward, you will meet with the attending surgeon. As a rule, operations are performed the day after the stay in the hospital. My operation was scheduled for 8 am. As a result, they started doing it for me only at 11.30. At 8 a.m., I was given an antibiotic injection in turn. The operation was performed without anesthesia with anesthesia (injections of 10 percent novocaine in chest muscle next to the nipple). Often, the attending surgeon cuts out gynecomastia only on one nipple and later. weeks on the second nipple. In my case it was exactly like that. The operation lasts an average of 25-30 minutes. Before the operation, you will need to buy a 5 meter elastic bandage from the pharmacy, which will need to be worn for some time after the operation.

In the case of the author, the operation was performed by the well-known surgeon Naberezhnye Chelny Maxim Andreevich Shishkin, who not only managed to successfully perform the operation (he is the only one who performs such an operation for free in Chelny), but also to do it in such a way that no seals form after it. After the operation, I personally felt good. An hour after the operation, the pain appeared drawing pains in the chest. The pain intensified, but soon I was put on painkillers. After that, the pain no longer appeared. The next morning I was already discharged.

A day later, I did not find any seals in the chest. I continued to wear the bandage for some time until the stitches were removed at the clinic. As for training: they were and are. True, in light mode, and bench press with children's weights and half amplitude. So, you should not be afraid of the operation. As you can see, not everything is as scary as they describe. You can make the operation successfully quickly and at the same time for free.
Can a recurrence occur after surgery (recurrence of gynecomastia)? Alas, maybe. That is why you should not joke with drugs that have progestogenic activity.