Gynecomastia (male breast development) - what can I do?

ConkerTheKing

Not sure if this is the right forum, but worth a shot...

This is something I really hoped not to have to post publicly about, but it's beginning to look llike I don't have any other choice...

I have gynecomastia. I'm not talking about fat on the chest, I'm talking about the real thing - actual breast glands. I have virtually no fat on my chest at all - but my nipples have hardned "rings" underneath them, which make them very "pointy", they stick out quite a bit.

I first noticed this when I was around 11 or 12 - around when I hit puberty, I noticed the developmet of hard "lumps" under each nipple, which made them quite raw and sore. Gradually it develped into full blown manboobs. I used to get slagged off about it fairly constantly, but I didn't mind too much since at the time I assumed it was just fat, and would go away when I'd lost weight. I'm no longer overweight (around 73-75 kgs at the moment), and have hardly any fat anywhere, but I still have these hard pointy nipples. It wouldn't be so bad if I wasn't a bodybuilder, but it's really putting me off, since every time I bench press I feel like it's making it worse - my pecs are quite big now but they're hidden underneath these nipples so I feel like making the pecs growl will push the glands out and make them more prominant.

I'm almost 19 - from what I've read, pubertal gyno should go away by 17-18, so it seems this is here to stay. I went to my GP about it and he said that it would "improve" - but with no evidence and no indication of exactly how much it will "improve", it didn't cheer me up too much...

I've recently decided that no matter what, I'm getting rid of this. I don't care anymore what price I have to pay orwhat I have to go through, I simply cannot and will not put up with this for one second longer than I have to. NOTHING is worth putting up with this for. So I'm weighing up my treatment options. From what I can tell, there are really only two ways this can be dealt with, but both of them have serious doubts:

Drugs - apparently a drug called Tamoxifen (Nolvadex) is used to treat gyno, but from what I see, it's used more as a "preventative" than a cure - they use it during onset to stop gyno developing any further than it has already. There seems to be little evidence, though, of anyone using it with fully developed gyno to actually remove the condition. If anyone had any info in this, or any other drugs which could help, it'd be much appreciated.

Surgery - This seems to be the only definete option for getting rid of this, but it too has its problems. I've been trying to find somewhere in Ireland where I can get this done, with no success. Clare and Dundrum clinics seem to offer surgery for it, but they are focused on liposuction for "chest fat" - I have little to no actual fat on my chest, what I seem to need is to have the actual glands removed, and niether site mentions this. However, I know it's possible, as I've read accounts of other Boards.ie users who've had this done. Apparently there are places in the UK which do this, but I REALLY don't want to leave the country for surgery, if it coud be avoided.

Is there anywhere in Ireland where I can get this done, and has anyone else had it done? I utterly refuse to accept that I have to live with this, I just will not do it. So if anyone can give me any info on somehwere in Ireland which will remove these glands, I would very, very much appreciate it.

Reku

I've certainly read that in Britain NHS surgery to remove male mammary glands and breast-fat is on the increase, as to why this is the article didn't say. So you're not alone with this issue anyway.
Have you spoken to your GP about this? Perhaps they can help you make the necessary appointments/arrangements to get it done, if not here, then in Britain.

Wood

A lot of professional bodybuilders use Nolvadex to reduce gyno caused by steroid abuse.

It can be used to treat existing gyno, check out the bodybuilding.com and their forum for more information, there's a lot of information there and they'll be able to point you in the right direction to some sites or give you more info.

Beruthiel

Wood wrote: »

A lot of professional bodybuilders use Nolvadex to reduce gyno.

You clearly have not read this forums charter.
DO NOT give medical advice.
You are not a doctor and have no clue how the OP could react to any particular drug.

amazingemmet

Here's a thread from a fitness website that details a lot of info about gyno

http://www.t-nation.com/tmagnum/readTopic.do?id=2235209

Ask your doctor about using armidex or letrozole this might help clear it up if not then surgery is the only option.

Nolvadex/tamoxifen won't really help existing gyno.

There is one treatment that has been used by bodybuilders in the past but not sure if its available via doctor here but might be worth checking it with your gp, is DHT (dihydro-testosterone) as a topical cream has been shown to completely remove pubertal gyno.

Wood

Beruthiel wrote: »

You clearly have not read this forums charter.
DO NOT give medical advice.
You are not a doctor and have no clue how the OP could react to any particular drug.

That was a factual statement, please indicate where i offered medical advice.

I have read this forums charter, i know this forum is heavily moderated. That is why i did not provide medical advice.

I told the OP that bodyduilders use it. By your logic i was also telling the OP to use steroids and take up bodybuilding. I was merely inferring that the OP should go to a bodybuilding site and ask what other people with the same problem have experienced

If you're going to quote me at least have the common decency to point out where i went wrong, and don't just make assumptions.

To the OP: It would be a very good idea to talk to your GP about DHT, and other possible remedies before you even contemplate surgery.

Wood

So Beruthiel, are you going to retract the infraction for no just cause and issue an apology?

Do you still consider my statement medical advice?

Have you realised your mistake, and are you willing to accept it?

To the OP: Here's a link from the Growth, Genetic and Hormone Journal that may give you an insight, seeing as how i'm not qualified to give advice or make statements. http://www.gghjournal.com/volume20/4/ab13.cfm

Nevyn

Wood infracted and 1 week ban from the forum.
tsk tsk ts when will people learn to take things to pm or feedback as per the charter.

justbringit89

out of interets how much is the surgery for Lipo in Dundrum & Clare?? or roughy do ya know how much it would cost

malinh

stop taking steroids.

pretty*monster

ConkerTheKing wrote: »

Is there anywhere in Ireland where I can get this done, and has anyone else had it done? I utterly refuse to accept that I have to live with this, I just will not do it. So if anyone can give me any info on somehwere in Ireland which will remove these glands, I would very, very much appreciate it.

Have you tried the Blackrock Clinic? I used to work there and I distinctly remember a patient coming in for surgery for gynecomastia.

LegacyUser

I had the surgery years ago for free in St Vincents Hospital.
Go back to your doc, tell him it's badly affecting your life, ego/state of mind and request a referral for a plastic surgeon.

First approach is liposuction to reduce the size... but if you've no fat that sounds like it might not be for you.
So they may need to excise it... which basically means cut it out.
They try to hide the scar around the circumference of the nipple.
But you could get some loss of feeling/numbness afterwards.

Worse case scenario, if your own doc refuses a referral.. try another doc.

Wibbs

malinh wrote: »

stop taking steroids.

Maybe I missed something, but where did the OP say he was taking steroids? Unless he was taking them at 12 when this problem started for him. Just because he's a bodybuilder and bench presses and such doesn't mean he's on steriods. Indeed with his underlying problem he's probably less likely to start them.

LegacyUser

Sorry to dig this up, but you didn't really get many responses, and I'm kinda in the same situation, 'cept less long term. here's an older boards thread where it was covered in more depth http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/archive/index.php/t-301190.html

Some interesting responses and accounts on there, so hope they're of use to you. I've just got a smallish lump on one side, and it's relatively unnoticeable, but if it sticks around for another few months (and I've yet to find accounts of "it just went away," as my doctor suggested may happen) I'll probably be looking into this surgery route aswell, as it makes me feel uncomfortable and ruins all confidence and body image. Good luck yourself, and keep us informed.