The Secret Shame

There is nothing more disturbing for a male than to experience the enlargement of his breasts. Most men will become easily offended if they cannot conform to the expected standard for manhood. What is this expected standard? Among these standards of normal masculinity is that a man should look a certain way, with the ideal physique consisting of broad shoulders and a tapered torso, with plenty of muscle mass, big arms and visible abs along with a perfectly-shaped barrel chest. Of course in the real world many men will have departures from the ideal physique which is plastered in many gyms and which appears on numerous magazines. It is safe to say that such departures from the ideal and hegemonic masculinity oftentimes include big bellies and love handles. One area outside of what is perceived as normal masculinity is that of gynecomastia or “man boobs”. A man’s sense of masculinity and manhood are non-negotiable and are grounded to a large extent to his body image. Many men spend hours at the gym or are involved in some physical activity in order to keep their bodies looking like men. Unfortunately, with even the best physical workout a significant number of men will during their lifetime experience some enlargement to their breast. The medical condition affects between 50 to 65% of boys and men worldwide. A childhood friend shared his experience with gynecomastia. I will refer to him as Gerald who is 51 years old. According to Gerald he first realized something was wrong when he began to feel tenderness and discomfort in his nipples. He said even when he laid in his bed there was a tender sensation in both nipples which was of concern. Gerald was rather proactive and sought medical advice from a doctor who recommended a Mammography which confirmed the diagnosis of gynecomastia. He concluded that he currently sleep on his back. What is Gynecomastia Gynecomastia is a condition that makes breast tissue swell in boys and men. It can happen when the balance of two hormones in your body is thrown off. Boys' bodies mostly make a hormone called testosterone, which guides their sexual growth during puberty. However, males also make some estrogen the hormone that steers sexual growth in girls. When a boy is going through puberty, or when an older man's body makes less testosterone, the balance of the two hormones changes. Usually when that happens, a higher percentage of estrogen causes male breast tissue to become enlarged and about half of adolescent boys and as many as two-thirds of men older than 50 will have this to some degree. Sometimes people with obesity develop enlarged breasts due to excess fatty tissue. This condition is known as pseudogynecomastia. Gynecomastia Symptoms Sometimes as men we do not pay adequate attention to our bodies. According to the online source, WedMd, among the first sign of gynecomastia may be a lump of fatty tissue under the nipple. Sometimes this lump is tender or sore. Undoubtedly, as a male you will become concerned about your breasts becoming enlarged. This might make you worry that you have breast cancer, which does occur in a small number of men. Gynecomastia is not necessarily a sign of cancer, but your doctor may run some tests to rule it out. The swelling of the breasts may happen unevenly, with one becoming larger than the other. You may also have breast tenderness. See your doctor if you notice that your breasts have swelling, are painful or tender, or there is a discharge from the nipple of one or both breasts. Gynecomastia Causes A lot of factors can trigger the hormone imbalance that causes male breast growth, and many times the exact cause isn't known. In addition to body changes such as puberty and aging, some things that can cause gynecomastia are: • Injury or diseases that affect the testicles, which make testosterone. • Thyroid problems since hormones from that gland control growth and sexual development • Some cancers, including tumors of the lungs, pituitary gland, or adrenal glands • Illegal drugs including anabolic steroids, marijuana and heroin • Kidney failure (when they can no longer clean and filter your blood) • Liver disease The shame many men and boys face is real. Man-boobs are stigmatized everywhere from locker rooms to playfields, and males worry about being perceived as too effeminate or grossly unhealthy. Fear of this stigma can push men to take sometimes drastic measures to change or mask their chests, with some refusing to remove their shirts in any public setting, slouching, or even gaining weight, while others go as far as seeking surgical procedures to change their body's shape. Gynecomastia can undermine a male’s self confidence and also impacts his quality of life. Many teenage boys have a difficult time dealing with gynecomastia. They are often ridiculed by their peers and may avoid Physical Education classes which oftentimes end with one taking a shower in a communal setting. Gynecomastia Complications Gynecomastia can have an impact on your mental health. It is not uncommon for some men to feel embarrassed, or feel anxious or depressed. There are steps you can take to manage these feelings. It is recommended that guys talk to their doctors about how gynecomastia is making them feel. Your doctor can suggest a mental health professional who can help you manage any mental health problems you may get. For those men who have this medical condition it is advisable to talk to your family and close friends. They know you best and can give you the emotional backing you need. Support groups can also be useful where men who are experiencing the same medical condition can discuss their experiences and provide emotional support for each other. Like most issues affecting and impacting males not enough public discourse takes place. Undoubtedly, there is a vacuum for public conversation on the matter of gynecomastia. There should be no shame in asking for help in order to deal with this matter. The first place one should turn for help is one's doctor. Your breasts matter. Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and or gender issues. waykam@yahoo.com @WayneCamo © #gynecomastia #manboobs #testosterone #masculinity #estrogen