Gynecomastia and cross dressing

[Willimuth]

In my business I have a lot of older lesbian customers, so at some point I started dressing as they do. I've gotten a lot of help from them .specifically with tops and pants. I guess I'm in a Grey zone , I wear a little makeup And lipstick sometime, but depending who you are you could look at me either way

[SideSet]

Androgynous is a very cute look

[42CSurprise!]

I've had gynecomastia since puberty and incidentally been drawn to wearing women's lingerie from around the same time, the result of sexual experiences I had as a young boy that could be characterized as abusive.  When I first put on a bustier that belonged to a neighbor for whom I was babysitting, it was not because my breasts were so large at age 12.  Needless to say the combination of gynecomastia and the sexual trauma that triggered acting out behaviors that sometimes involved using women's lingerie, complicates everything. 

As I've gotten older and my hormonal cocktail has moved toward estrogen, my breasts have gotten bigger.  When I first encountered men who wear brassieres I was intrigued and eventually found this website.  Here I was able to indulge my attraction to a pretty brassiere with breasts that actually filled the cups of those brassieres.  My breasts are not so large that I feel the need to wear a brassiere full time, but in reality, I so enjoy wearing a brassiere and seeing my breasts filling the C cups that I want to wear one when I'm home alone.  I guess there is a sexual component to all of that which one often finds with crossdressers. 

I've visited a few websites devoted to crossdressing and find my reality and desires don't really fit in that world.  I'm not interested in transitioning and I have no interest is wigs or dresses.  All I want is an attractive brassiere that feels good on my breasts... which is what I'm wearing at the moment.  I often say that we develop breasts because our bodies carry more estrogen than most men.  That estrogen not only affects breast development but many other things about our humanity.  I don't want to become a woman, but I'm happy to be on the more feminine side of the gender spectrum.  Seeing and touching my very real breasts gives me pleasure.  That isn't always expressed so directly on this website, but support for acceptance of exactly where we are on this journey is found here.  I'm grateful for that.

[brock123]

I've had gynecomastia since puberty and incidentally been drawn to wearing women's lingerie from around the same time, the result of sexual experiences I had as a young boy that could be characterized as abusive.  When I first put on a bustier that belonged to a neighbor for whom I was babysitting, it was not because my breasts were so large at age 12.  Needless to say the combination of gynecomastia and the sexual trauma that triggered acting out behaviors that sometimes involved using women's lingerie, complicates everything. 

As I've gotten older and my hormonal cocktail has moved toward estrogen, my breasts have gotten bigger.  When I first encountered men who wear brassieres I was intrigued and eventually found this website.  Here I was able to indulge my attraction to a pretty brassiere with breasts that actually filled the cups of those brassieres.  My breasts are not so large that I feel the need to wear a brassiere full time, but in reality, I so enjoy wearing a brassiere and seeing my breasts filling the C cups that I want to wear one when I'm home alone.  I guess there is a sexual component to all of that which one often finds with crossdressers. 

I've visited a few websites devoted to crossdressing and find my reality and desires don't really fit in that world.  I'm not interested in transitioning and I have no interest is wigs or dresses.  All I want is an attractive brassiere that feels good on my breasts... which is what I'm wearing at the moment.  I often say that we develop breasts because our bodies carry more estrogen than most men.  That estrogen not only affects breast development but many other things about our humanity.  I don't want to become a woman, but I'm happy to be on the more feminine side of the gender spectrum.  Seeing and touching my very real breasts gives me pleasure.  That isn't always expressed so directly on this website, but support for acceptance of exactly where we are on this journey is found here.  I'm grateful for that.

+1.

[leosud]

My chest has been a big worry all my youth. One day around 13 or 14 years old I tried a bra on my mother. She had a very small breast and wore padded bras. When I saw my chest (already very round) amplified by the bra I understood that I could not live otherwise. My breasts no longer popped, the nipples no longer irritated on T-shirts, and when I removed the pads, they were very discreet despite their volume. I lived as a well-behaved little boy until the age of 20, discreetly borrowing my grandmother's bras because my chest was growing. She who was benevolent saw and understood what was happening to me and she bought me my first bras, a model a little younger than hers and just the right size .... When I got to college, I developed a taste for cross-dressing. My hips were already starting to widen naturally, my most comfortable jeans are those of women. Unfortunately I had to live by hiding my chest, wearing loose clothes or compression vests for class. No one noticed my jeans and my women's blouses or t-shirts, but if I left my chest free, I had glances and thoughts. I got married, my wife never accepted my bras and we got divorced. At 50, I decided not to fight against my body, I took responsibility for my breasts, I wore bras and I took treatment to further develop my breasts. My body has become feminized and I only wear women's pants but I am on the transgender path and I think I will end my life with a beautiful femininity. Having big breasts is the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me!

[42CSurprise!]

...I got married, my wife never accepted my bras and we got divorced. At 50, I decided not to fight against my body, I took responsibility for my breasts, I wore bras and I took treatment to further develop my breasts. My body has become feminized and I only wear women's pants but I am on the transgender path and I think I will end my life with a beautiful femininity. Having big breasts is the most beautiful thing that ever happened to me!

This is a journey many of the men posting on the crossdressing site I've visited talk about.  Yes, some wives are willing to join their husbands as they explore a more feminine presentation but many don't.  They speak about "don't ask, don't tell" and dress only away from home or when their wives are absent.  Since breast development isn't generally discussed it is impossible to know how many of these men find themselves there because of the journey we've been on with elevated estrogen having its way with our bodies in the way you describe.

Although I have no interest in transitioning I am comfortable considering myself as non-binary... a man with male genitals and feminine breasts I enjoy.  Though this discussion may be uncomfortable for some of the men here, I think it is important to consider this possible outcome of having elevated estrogen in our systems.  Estrogen affects our bodies and our minds.  That is reality.  Cutting off breasts won't stop estrogen from doing its thing.  Insurance companies won't pay for removal of our breasts because it is not a danger to our health.  Yes, it may be a danger to our ego but not our health.  That said, having grown up with discomfort because of my chest, I certainly understand how a young man troubled by this condition could want to be free, as the man who started this website did when he had multiple surgeries to remove his breasts.  He is happy with his decision.  Here is a video that shows part of his journey.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VMU7LPqy04U

[Evolver]

It's no surprise to many here that I crossdress. To a degree. No dresses, wigs, makeup, nails, etc., just underclothing. I consider the word crossdressing to be a slur which brings into question the sexuality of the person and there would be no shortage of people willing to use it in that fashion.

For the benefit of newbies, I have A/B cup moobs, certainly noticeable under most tops and embarrassing if topless, but I have no pain or irritation or jiggle issues. I do not normally wear a bra. I face the prospect of future growth due to a long term medical issue that might require hormone treatment in the next year or so. I experimented with bras long before I even considered needing to, and suddenly, I am faced with the prospect of actually needing to.

I have never been tempted to even look at crossdressing forums or websites. I'm just not like that. The only reason that I have been comfortable revealing certain information here, on a gynecomastia forum, is that it seems a common trait amongst members, for a variety of reasons. I originally came here looking for advice and looking for others that were maybe also experiencing similar issues to me. What I found was a bunch of people who were above all else, honest. This place also gave me an opportunity to provide some advice myself, later on. Along the way I have also tried to justify my choice to occasionally wear a bra, rightly or wrongly, and I could also rightly attempt to justify my choice to wear other stuff on medical grounds, but that has nothing to do with gynecomastia so I will keep that to myself.

I wonder if reactions to this thread would be different if it was titled, Cross dressing and gynecomastia, rather than the other way around? Probably not, but in the meantime maybe it would be prudent to remember the difference between correlation and caustation.

[SideSet]

My body shape is more like a woman’s and women’s clothing fits, feels, and looks best on me. 

Of course, I need to wear a bra like a woman does.  Panties, for example, fit me better, feel so soft compared to men’s underwear, and look more appropriate with my bras than do men’s underpants. 

Does that make me a cross dresser?

[Confused old man]

Sideset,..I don’t think that makes you a Crossdresser. I have never really understood that term. Wearing clothes that fit or style that you like is just that. Now putting on makeup and wigs and dressing in short skirts trying to pass as a woman. That’s probably Crossdressing...drag queens or men dressed like a street walker in my view is going over the top. A look throughout history about men’s and women’s styles has changed back and forth. Wear what you like and feels good.

[42CSurprise!]

First it is important to remember that most crossdressers are heterosexual and nowhere near all of them could be construed as drag queens.  Going drag is often played out among gay men but heterosexual men are doing something else.  It was quite funny when someone on the crossdressing site I visit from time to time asked the question "How many of the men here are in law enforcement?"  There were TEN men who identified themselves.  A number spoke about wearing women's undergarments beneath their uniforms.  Frankly, I think we make a mistake if we try to characterize crossdressing as some bizarre rarity.  I've no doubt that normies would visit the Acceptance side of this website and shake their heads.  Who are those strange men who say they NEED to wear brassieres and then talk about their preferred brassieres?

Every man who wears a brassiere is crossdressing and it is NO BIG DEAL.  It is estrogen in our bodies that gives us breasts, the same estrogen in women that define their gender... breasts, hips, softer demeanor.  We all exist on a gender continuum that is defined by how much testosterone and how much estrogen is in our hormonal makeup... and that changes as we age, for both men and women.  The effects for men... diminishing testosterone, leads to movement toward the feminine side of the continuum.  You can fight it by hormone replacement but honestly, that is a losing battle.  Yes, it will be fought by men who can't tolerate the possibility of losing their "manliness."  Doubtless that is why there is a strong market for Viagra.  Personally, my sexual vitality was not a particularly wonderful thing in my life, probably because I have sexual trauma in my history... so diminished libido that seems directly correlated to blossoming breasts is not a serious concern.

I enjoy wearing a brassiere, when I do... and I love what a brassiere does to my breasts.  I like how they feel and how they look... a spiritual teacher I respect has an acronym for meeting life... RAIN...  The A says we should "allow life to be just as it is."  That is the essence of acceptance... so breasts, brassieres, pleasure can all be exactly at they are.  I'm good with that and I have no doubt conversations I've had on this website contribute to my growing acceptance.  I don't need to change anything.  Amazing... after spending a lifetime believing I had to be wrong...

[Confused old man]

So wearing a bra is a crossdresser?...even though you need it....now I’m really confused!...just because something is labeled men’s or women’s doesn’t make it gender specific. In a culture that hates labels...like gender, race, color and so on....sure seems to be a lot of labels out there anymore! Some on here say to wear a bra because you need it. Now you say if you wear one your a crossdressser....gheeez

[42CSurprise!]

...just because something is labeled men’s or women’s doesn’t make it gender specific...

I'll accept your point when I walk into the men's department of ANY store and find a display of brassieres for sale...  

I understand that men here will advocate for wearing brassieres when we develop breasts.  At the same time few men will embrace the idea they need brassieres because their body is becoming more feminine.  They will talk about comfort and help with their back or with sensitive nipples... legitimate concerns no doubt.  But it all exists because testosterone is diminished and estrogen increasing... effectively feminizing us.  Clothing manufacturers continue to improve brassieres for women who've been using them for a very long time.  It is natural with blossoming breasts that we would take advantage of that reality.  We read about men who try sports bras that are quite masculine looking but find men who eventually are drawn to more feminine looking brassieres, perhaps with lace cups because it gets hot in the summer, or colors that work with their other apparel and then panties because the brassieres look strange when worn with cotton Jockey shorts.

Crossdressing is no big deal, as I said.  The majority of men here wear brassieres beneath their regular clothing.  Some wear panties as well.  Some wear women's jeans, knowing that no one will know they are from the women's department.  You have no idea how many men in your world might be doing exactly the same thing... either because they have gynecomastia OR they are closet crossdressers.  For the record...

Gynecomastia in adults. Researchers have estimated that the prevalence among men ages 50 to 80 is between 24% and 65%. However, most men with the condition experience no symptoms.

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gynecomastia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351793

In the United States there are varying estimates of the prevalence of crossdressing. Most conservative estimates are in the range of 2% to 5% of all adult males engage in routine crossdressing (1:50 to 1:20).

Misconception 1: Crossdressers are Homosexuals and Do Not Like Women

While some homosexuals do crossdress, not all who crossdress are homosexual. The truth is that the majority of Crossdressers are married men who are as attracted to their wives as any typical man. According to many Crossdressers that I have spoken with, there are several advantages to being a straight crossdresser. The number one advantage is that they tend to become more understanding and sensitive when it comes to the women in their lives. So for some, crossdressing for some men is a way to get in touch with their feminine side and fully experience life.

Possibly "they tend to become more understanding and sensitive when it come to the women in their lives" BECAUSE elevated estrogen is making them more feminine themselves.  Go figure!  Enjoy the ride my friend...  

[Guywithgirls]

My body shape is more like a woman’s and women’s clothing fits, feels, and looks best on me.

Of course, I need to wear a bra like a woman does.  Panties, for example, fit me better, feel so soft compared to men’s underwear, and look more appropriate with my bras than do men’s underpants.

Does that make me a cross dresser?

SideSet, that makes you dressing for how you feel. I wear a bra because it fits and makes me feel better. Panties are so soft and stetchy that they feel good against the male anatomy, so I wear them 😉, and "women's" shirts that are made to fit around torsos with bigger breasts fit my male torso with bigger breasts, and "women"jeans that have a deeper hip with a smaller waist than hip fit me better than "male" jeans that are more straight cut with no curves, so I wear them. So I wear "female" bras, "female" panties, "female" shirts, and "female" jeans, but I'd like to see a lot of these "manly men" nowadays come up against my with an 8 pound short handled sledge at the forge, ot know how with working in a truck. Only advantage they would have is sometimes I have to back out from under a truck and roll back in a different way because my breasts hit a crossmember. No crossdresser here, just a guy dressing for how he's shaped

[Busty]

I think many of us are directed onto the path of cross dressing by virtue of having breasts. As a young teenager developing breasts like the other girls in class, and constantly being teased and told you need to wear a bra, until  you finally give in and secretly try on one of your mothers bras, Only to find out that all the kids teasing you are correct, you fill out the bra, and feel it look good in it.

And, of course, you can’t help but see the pretty panties, intriguing shapewear, silky hosiery  in the drawer with her bras. As you return time and again  to your mothers lingerie drawer because you want to be wearing a bra as much as you can, it’s impossible not to see and touch her lingerie and wonder if that would suit you so well also.

I have found this to be a wonderful thread, maybe it should be in the Acceptance section, though?

[42CSurprise!]

I was introduced to silk in the crib and clearly I liked it.  However, it was my neighbor's collection of brassieres and lingerie that caught my fancy when I babysat for her one winter when I was 12 years old.  I didn't have breasts when I first tried on her bustier but I never lost my appreciation for breasts and brassieres.  Advance forward to this chapter of my life.  Now I have breasts of my own and I still have an affection for brassieres like the one I put on a few minutes ago.  I had it on this morning but I spent the day with two friends, including my former wife... neither of whom know about this adventure I'm engaged in.  Or I should say, my former wife knows about my interests but I don't keep her current with what is transpiring day to day.  I was without a brassiere for the middle of the day but after spending a few hours at home I decided I would put on a brassiere again and visit this thread.  Yes, lingerie is enticing but as I've said before, a more expansive engagement with crossdressing doesn't hold much interest for me.  If I really took that direction it would certainly not be to wear blouses and women's pants.  I get by okay with my men's wardrobe.  If I were to really play it would be with undergarments made of silky material.