Flax Seed and Breast Development

[42CSurprise!]

I've mentioned spending time on a website devoted to breast enhancement, often using a variety of herbs and supplements to do the trick.  I wasn't interested in increasing the size of my breasts but I was curious about men who are.  There were a variety of approaches but it made me aware that some of the things that are part of my normal diet and health routine potentially could affect my breast development... helping Mother Nature who is using diminished testosterone which comes with aging to give estrogen free reign in my body.  I take nettles which is a natural antihistamine and for the last few years have been using ground flax seeds on my oatmeal.  Both of those are considered useful for men who want larger breasts.

I feel as though my breasts have gotten fuller in the last few years and began wondering whether the choices I've made for legitimate health reasons could be part of the equation.  Again, I'm not trying to increase the size of my breasts but this could be the outcome of decisions I've made.  We all know that some of the things we choose to do or are required to do can affect breast development.  Although I have BPH and perhaps would benefit from medication to deal with side effects, I've chosen not to take that path... at least up until now.  Breast development is much discussed here in large measure because it isn't embraced by the general population.  So we seek support from other men who are also navigating this territory.  This is a wonderful website for doing that.  I don't know if the nettles and flax seed is having this affect on me but I really appreciate the health benefits and am not inclined to change anything.  Perhaps those recommending these things don't know what they're talking about.  We each need to make the best choices for ourselves.  I like my breasts but really don't want them to be bigger.  Let's see what Mother Nature has in store... I'm along for the ride.

[50/50]

All comes down to hormones. Environmental conditions can change hormones. Medical conditions can change hormones. Medicine can change hormones. Estrogen loves fat. Being overweight can change hormones. Stress can cause hormonal changes. The list goes on and on. Like my doctor said pick one of the above plus genetics can cause my breast growth plus just bad luck. I don’t look for answers anymore. It is what it is. Just bad luck. I wear my boob brace everyday….. AKA…BRA just like some wear knee,back,ankle braces and so on. I have 100% accepted what has happened to me. It is good to have a place to discuss it knowing we are not alone.

[WPW717]

I suddenly developed breasts with no epigenetic factors. No meds, supplements, herbs, or juicing. The cause later was found to be phenotypic MEN Syndrome. Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia. 
During this interval the usual happened,  E went up & T went down. It created many menopausal like symptoms. Hot flashes of the recalcitrant & disabling sort. Used to short out my hearing aid batteries regularly. 

Tried everything under the sun, phytoestrogens, flaxseed etc. with no discernible relief. Birdie, on the other hand had great success with the flaxseed. I graduated to PM, pueraria mirifica. Stout doses in my search, only to find a scant effect.  The SE Asia lore of this herb is replete with male breast development. 
 As a retired practitioner of OR & ICU Nursing my opinion is those gentlemen are chasing a pipe dream.
 In the long and labyrinthine route for answers the only thing that worked was the reintroduction of E after the point of all hormones failing.

The low dose E got rid of them & I have not been able to see any signs of more development. Dose is .0375 micrograms qd.
42C you should enjoy the flax fiber as I opine it will have no discernible effect but the BPH meds will.

[Gyno64]

Interesting. I'm not on any meds. But vitamin supplements. 
 I will have my first Endo appointment at the end of this month. Interesting to see how all this is going to play out?

[50/50]

I had night sweats for over a year. Hot flashes so bad I couldn’t take my clothes off fast enough.
My T dropped like a rock. Estrogen on the high side. Severe mood swings.
So it’s called MEN syndrome………that’s interesting. I have not had any of that in a year or so. 
So am I past all of that? In the clear?…what do you think WPW717?

[42CSurprise!]

It is understood that during adolescence our bodies are making a decision of whether we'll be boys or girls. Doctors tell mothers of boys with burgeoning breasts that they'll eventually disappear.  Many of the men here know that isn't true.  I was one of those boys who didn't develop breasts as a teenager, but I did have a soft body.  That never changed.  But nature had its way with me as i got older.  Testosterone did diminish and estrogen gave me the breasts that on one level I really wanted.  That is the nature of gender confusion which is rooted in early childhood experiences.  Yes, as 50/50 notes, gaining weight during COVID probably had something to do with it... as did alcohol use.  But that is all water over the dam.  I do have breasts and while I'm not interested in having larger breasts, I do appreciate what I have.  And it gives me pleasure to put on a brassiere and appreciate the fullness of my bosom.  This isn't exactly the life I envisioned for myself but who am I to battle with Mother Nature? That I don't fit the model of what a man should look like no longer matters to me.  This is my life... these are my breasts and so the story goes.

[Parity]

42C, I'm feeling the same way you are.  
  Enjoying where I'm at yet accepting what comes.  I do like having a nice bra, filling it and take comfort with it doing it's job. I don't try to show off but do try and stay discrete.    
  
  As far as the flax seed having an effect on us appears true.  I have looked at what foods and herbs might make our E levels increase
and that is one. The list is long.  I looked in my spice cupboard and panty and found many of them.  Including Flax Seed, ground Fenugreek  spice and Soy.  I use a lot of soy.

  Does it contribute to our condition?  Possibly.  I have to believe there has to be more going on with us.  Low T for one.  

[taxmapper]

I have studied this from when it started with me.   The way I learned from folks who did go MTF stated that the herbal was like eating bread crumbs where the HRT was a steak dinner.  Yes it does have an affect but for it to be substantial you would have to seriously OD on it.  Talking real dangerous levels.   Where the concentrate clinical HRT is a powerhouse. 

But I also think the genetics have a huge part of it, given that the only aspect of anything clinical I am involved with is spironolactone at 50mg, for HBP, and that was started in Feb. of 2025. My girls started in late 2018 and noticeable in 2019.   

I would actually love to explore getting the Est. on my side and let them get bigger, but that may be a dream.