Newbie needing advice...thank you

[bobjones206]

Hi all,

I only recently found out what gynecomastia is.  To preface, I am a 21 year old, I am in shape and I don't use drugs or have any disorders.  I'm 6' and am between 150-160lbs and am pretty skinny (size 30 waist), though I do have some grabbable fat on my belly.  I go to the gym usually (not intensely) to stay fit and have never used steroids or anything.  I don't take and have never taken prescription drugs.  The most I do is drink alcohol sometimes, like any 21 year old.

But I feel as though my chest has grown a bit into what might be gynecomastia.  To be honest, it's rather minor compared to some of the pics I've seen online.  But it still confuses me why I would have it.  I honestly never noticed before but realized I have some grabbable soft tissue on my chest that's maybe fat.  But I also do have a palpable, solid little nub or round mass that I grab between my fingers underneath my nipple.  I tried to look at photos of myself shirtless from last year and two years ago, and it's hard to discern exactly whether or not my chest has grown because I don't have many shirtless pics anyways and it's hard to see close up.  Also, I have admittedly gained a little weight (some muscle and also fat) in the past year or two (I used to be more of a stick skinny guy). 

So, in summary, what do you guys think?  I'm a young guy guy in my 20's who doesn't have the typical culprits (like drugs) and am obstensibly skinny/in shape to the outsider's eye, yet I feel as though my chest has grown out more than it should and there is a small, but solid feeling shape under my nipples which I don't believe was there before... should I just ask my doctor to see?  It just embarrasses me a bit, though I feel lucky it seems to be relatively minor for me...

Thanks so much guys! I appreciate any advice or opinions.

[Mark102]

Sounds like the 2nd typical case of gyne. (gyne from puberty being the first )

No one knows why or where gyne comes from sometimes

i'd say surgery is your only option since your in shape but have it
maybe if you posted some current pics we'd get a better idea and have better suggestions for you.
Mark

[bobjones206]

What do you mean by "2nd typical case"?.  Also is it that common for these things to show up so spontaneousy?  Could consuming things such as workout protein shakes be a factor (not steroids though)?  Anyone else have an opinion?  I am hesitant to just assume surgery is the one and only option...

[Raider Fan]

I think it's a definite "yes" as far as whether you should ask your doctor about it.  He should be able to diagnose it, although I've found that family docs aren't as familiar with it as you would think.  A lot of times, they just throw it off to being a "temporary thing" and "not to worry about it....it'll go away." 

While that is certainly true, sometimes it doesn't go away, and when it doesn't, that's when it's up to you whether it's bothering you enough to talk to a gyne plastic surgeon about having surgery on it.  Really, only YOU can decide if it's bad enough to have surgery.  Because surgery isn't REQUIRED for anyone.....since gyne is a benign condition.  No one HAS to have anything done about it.  That's determined by each individual and how much it bothers them.

Generally, if it's very mild and most people would never notice your chest when they see you without your shirt on, there's not much reason to have surgery.  But if people DO notice your chest when you take your shirt off, and you're embarrassed about it, that's when it becomes a whole different thing.  If it's interfering with your life and your ability to live life to the fullest (e.g., hesitant to simply go for a swim in public), that's when you would need to seriously consider surgery.  But it's all up to you.  Some guys have huge boobs and they basically shrug their shoulders at the problem.  They simply accept it and move on.  But they are usually older men....not 21.  When you're young and have a noticeable problem with gyne, it's usually something that needs to be taken care of so we can live normally and without fear of embarrassment. 

[Mark102]

Sorry i wasnt clear..,
i mean that it is the 2nd most common form(right word to use?) of gyne, but thats not a fact.. Just what ive seen and my opinion

You might not need surgery and we could offer advice on what you could do. And it could help if you posted pictures.

[Paa_Paw]

If what you feel is a small cluster of cells about the size of a pea then it is nothing. Up to that point, there is no distinction between the male and female breast. If the male breast continues to grow beyond that point it would be gynecomastia.

There seems to be a very heightened awareness of the fact that men have breasts. This awareness is often accompanied by some very unrealistic opinions of how flat a male chest should be.

There was a story some time ago of a young lady who visited a cosmetic surgeon to have her genitalia Corrected. She brought a porn magazine (supplied by her boyfriend) with a picture of what she should look like. The problem was that the magazine picture had been airbrushed to exaggerate the genitalia.

I think we have fallen into the same trap as that young lady. We want to look "normal" without knowing that we already are. It is the image we seek to emulate which is wrong.

[xoxoxoxo]

is it ok if you post some of your chest pics here? so that we could tell if it's really gyno or not..

im also skinny.. but im only 5'5. I weigh 140 lbs and im the skinniest member of my family What bothers me is my chest that protrudes because of that gland.. that sucks.

[Paa_Paw]

yes