My realization

[curiousk]

I developed breasts starting at age 10-11 years old.   They grew to a very noticeable size by the time I was 13.   I remember trying on my older sister’s bra and they fit well.  I was made fun or was told to wear a bra.   Fortunately, I didn’t have grabbers and touchers that would make me feel bad.  

Through my teens and 20’s, I wish I could have worn a bra to reduce the discomfort of the unsupported weight of breasts.  I have an ex girlfriend that has fairly large breasts and when she wasn’t home, I’d wear her bras.   Maybe 5% was a turn on, but 95% was because it felt right. 

I’ve been married for 28 years and would try her bras on too.  She didn’t know that I did that.   I did it for the same reasons as I did in my teens and 20’s.   I also realize that have a feminine side that I feel needs expressing as well.  

Over 6 years ago, I talked to my wife about my need to wear a bra full time and I wasn’t interested in having surgery. Wearing a bra full time has been such a relief to my body.  

Over time, my breasts have increased in size.  I personally love my breasts and body as it stands right now.

About one week ago, I thought I’d try going a day without wearing a bra.  What a mistake that was.   My breasts were so uncomfortable being unsupported.   My reality is that I’ll need to wear a bra for the rest of my life and I’m ok with it.  My body shape has me shopping on the other side of the aisle, which I’m ok with. 

This is my reality and I’m good with it

[oldguy]

There becomes a time when support is needed.  I'm good most of the time with not being noticed.  Summer is harder.  Heading to Alaska for several weeks for fishing.  No problem there.  Cool and every skin is covered.  Otherwise the mosquitoes will attack you. 

[Johndoe1]

Your story sounds so much like mine. I had always thought I started budding around 12 or 13 because that's when I started to be noticed. Truth is I was well on my way before then. Like you I started budding at 10. I know this because a few years ago a cousin came across a picture taken during the summer of my 10th year. I remember the picture when it was taken. In the picture is a topless 10 year old boy with what is unmistakable bud mounds around my nipples. Here was photographic evidence of my early development. The rest of my life began to make sense. And all because of the photo of a 10 boy.

I have been wearing bras full time now for 10 years. To spend an entire day braless is uncomfortable to say the least. I knew when I started wearing a bra it would be for the rest of my life. And so it shall be and I too am OK with that. I can no longer go braless than a woman my size. Bras are not fetish for me. It's a way of life if I want to be physically comfortable and keep these two heavy, dangling mounds of adipose and glands in check. After a literal life time with them, good and bad, they have become a part of who I am as much as an arm or a leg.

[blad]

As with everyone having teen breast development, it seemed like a total disaster. I was constantly told I needed to wear a bra.

Once I finally tried on some of my older sister's bras one day at home alone, I realized that everyone was right that I did need a bra. I immediately liked the look and feel of wearing a bra and I guess initially it was a bit of a fetish. But I also quickly realized I felt better and more put together with a bra on and began to hate the sensations of being braless. At that point I was ready to wear a bra full time and accept doing so but for the social pressures of a teen boy in school with a bra on. I was jealous of all the girls being able to openly wear a bra and I was not. 

As time went on and left school for university I was able to wear a bra more and more until I made a commitment to wear one full time with support from the wife.

[42CSurprise!]

I appreciate the conversation.  This is what makes this website so important.  Regardless of when our development began, having breasts as a man is anxiety provoking.  Yes, my circumstances as a sexual trauma survivor complicated the matter but there was still shame associated with it all.  Like most of us I've spent my life looking for a path that made sense.  It was coming to this website and discovering men who were working with self-acceptance that things began to change.  In reality, all of us present to the world what we believe the world will accept, while in our private moments we relate to the world in a more honest way.  This feels like an oasis where we can refresh ourselves and where we can be honest about our bodies and how we care for them.  Respect everyone... living your life truthfully, with kindness and compassion rather than shame and self-denigration...  How we do this thing called life is completely up to us.  Enjoy the ride everyone!

[Parity]

  I like how and what you said there 42C.  In this space I can accept and give encouragement.  It's a nice thing.  I feel me coming to terms with it is the easy part.  I have to say I haven't come to complete terms with how I feel society looks at men like us.  I wish I felt better and could just put on my nice underwire and a T shirt and be.  Wearing a button up if even unbuttoned helps me feel better about it.  The upside I don't look so sloppy either.  

[DianeMcG]

I've come to the place where, for the most part, I don't give a rip about what society thinks of me. I'm actively pursuing growing my breasts. I'm not going to hide them. When it comes to our bodies, shame should not enter the picture. At 80 years of age, I'm living me, not what I think or imagine will be accepted. I find for the most part people just don't care anyway. The ones that are negative just don't matter.

[j_kinoff]

For me….my journey with gynecomastia didn’t start until about three or four years ago. I was 55/56 then, and had bladder problems, mostly in the form of somewhat frequent urination at night, which turned out being a diagnosis of BPH. I was then prescribed Finasteride and Alfuzosin. 

My wife developed sleep apnea, and she snored a decent amount. Since I drive commercially, not getting enough sleep made it tough on my days driving. I coped with that by consuming copious amounts of caffeinated soft drinks, and that ultimately led to some weight gain.

Between my finasteride, weight gain, and natural loss of testosterone as I aged, I acquired some boobs.

As already mentioned by others, I, too, am coping with my “endowment” and am getting better with simply not giving a frog’s fat ass as to what others think nowadays.

I’ve been at a 42C for quite some time, and those bras have been purchased in minimizers mostly, either in Vanity Fair or Bali, but I’m beginning to believe that I need to bump up to a 42D around the corner.

Sigh. How much better off us in the “club” could be if we weren’t judged and eyeballed so much.

I do, however, enjoy my bust, and I wouldn’t have surgery for removing them.