The Psychological Effects of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia refers to the enlargement of the male breast due to hormone imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. Boys and men who have gynecomastia may experience the growth of larger breasts and the enlargement of the breast tissue that makes it appear more similar to female breasts rather than a more flat chest as is usually desired by males. Gynecomastia does not always affect both breasts, and it does not always appear evenly distributed between both breasts. While it does not necessarily cause any physical issues, aside from possible pain, it can affect how a male perceives himself and can leave them feeling ashamed or embarrassed by the appearance of their chest. The most common symptoms of this include breast tenderness that varies in severity as well as the enlargement of the breast gland tissue. As stated earlier, it is caused by an imbalance of hormones. Testosterone and estrogen are normally balanced, but an increase of estrogen can lead to gynecomastia in men. These hormones control the sex characteristics that differentiate between a male and a female.

Gynecomastia can happen at any age and does not just occur during puberty. It can be found in infants, which is extremely common because of the mother’s estrogen levels. However, this common occurrence often goes away less than a month after work as the hormones even out. During puberty, gynecomastia can be common as the hormonal changes in the body are occurring. However, in most cases, the swollen tissue does improve after puberty has concluded. Men who are fully grown are also at risk for developing gynecomastia. Gynecomastia can happen as a result of certain drugs or other substances, as well as health conditions such as hypogonadism or kidney failure. As stated previously, though gynecomastia does not usually come with physical pains or issues, the appearance of the larger male breasts can bring about psychological or emotional issues.

There have been studies conducted to look at how gynecomastia in boys and men can affect them psychologically. In one study by Dr. Brian I. Labow at Boston Children’s Hospital, they found that patients who had gynecomastia scored lower on a quality of life assessment and that having this condition created issues with social functioning, self-esteem, and mental health. The effects went far beyond just normal self-doubting. Being an adolescent is hard enough without physical differences that separate you from your peers. If you think back to when you were an adolescent, it was incredibly easy to notice things that made you different rather than things that made you the same. When children are going through similar life stages together, they can heavily notice what sets them apart from others. Gynecomastia, though not physically challenging, leads males at whatever age they are to feel different and like they stand out. It is hard to cover the appearance of the larger breast tissue, especially at certain times of the year where it may be appropriate to not wear a shirt such as when going swimming.

Gynecomastia can differ in severity from person to person, and the treatment can also vary. While some who are more overweight may be told to lose weight as a way to combat gynecomastia, this treatment option does not work for everyone. There is also male breast reduction, which, while considered a cosmetic procedure, can improve the emotional well-being of boys and men who are dealing with gynecomastia. It is important that mental health is evaluated in addition to physical health, as with certain conditions comes lowered self-esteem, which can end up manifesting in other psychological ways such as depression or possibly difference in food and eating views. This difference can result in an eating disorder. The majority of patients in the aforementioned study were overweight or obese, however, the results of the lower self-esteem were more so associated with having gynecomastia rather than being overweight. The fact is, the appearance of the larger breasts in males affected them psychologically and had an impact on their self-esteem and thus how they viewed themselves in comparison to others. The study also found that those with gynecomastia had poorer physical health, but this was likely related to being overweight rather than having this specific condition.

A simple google search of the term gynecomastia results in the term “man boobs” appearing. While this sounds immature and like a joke, how men and boys deal with having gynecomastia is anything but funny. It is important to recognize that having this does not just affect how someone feels physically, but it can greatly affect how they feel mentally and emotionally as well.

Article Used as Reference:
Wolters Kluwer Health: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. “Gynecomastia has psychological impact on adolescent boys, researchers report.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 2 April 2013. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/04/130402124332.htm>.