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How Hormonal Changes Can Cause Man Boobs: Balance Your Hormones To Prevent Gynecomastia

Hormonal causes of gynecomastia aren’t very well understood, and this is one of the reasons why many cases of man boobs are unresolved.

A common misconception is that man boob is normal, but that isn’t the case. By understanding how these hormones work, the easier it’ll be to look for solutions.

Hormonal imbalance and man boobs are linked because hormones determine the male and female characteristics.

For women it is estrogen, and for men it is testosterone. Usually, men have more testosterone and women have more estrogen.

But there are cases wherein hormonal imbalance occurs.

There are many possible reasons such as aging, chronic illness, stress, etc. When this happens, testosterone level goes down, and estrogen goes up, affecting their secondary male characteristics.

As estrogen levels shoot up and testosterone levels drop, it produces several changes in the male body like weight gain, poor libido, hair loss, erectile dysfunction, fatigue and breast enlargement.

What are Testosterone and Estrogen?

Normal estrogen level in males is around 20-55 pg/ml and 10-40 pg/ml. If the level is normal, it won’t cause any problems. It is only when these levels drop that you’re at risk for gynecomastia.

Testosterone and estrogen are sex hormones, and they are responsible for the growth and repair of reproductive tissues.

They also produce the male and female secondary characteristics and influence mass and body tissues.

Estrogen:

Estrogen is the female sex hormone that leads to the development of the female breast. In women a high level is normal, but for men, it is not. The higher the level of estrogen the bigger your boobs will get especially if you’re sensitive to it.

Sensitivity to estrogen leads to hormonal imbalance and is going to cause gynecomastia. The more you’re exposed to estrogen the more likely you’re going to suffer from man boobs.

However, man boobs are not the only thing you have to worry about as it could also lead to other health issues.

If the estrogen level gets too high, you’ll end up with lower libido, lower fertility and cut down your sperm count. A high estrogen level and low testosterone level also makes it harder to lose weight.

The part about losing weight is one of the most difficult aspects of having a high estrogen level. When you put on weight, it becomes harder to get rid of man boobs since your body is storing fat.

In other words, it becomes a vicious cycle, hence the importance of making sure you’re aware of your sensitivity level.

Testosterone:

This is the male sex hormone and is the one that gives you more body hair, a deep voice, and muscular mass.

But testosterone is also capable of boosting libido, strengthen bones, give stronger, harder erections, enhance muscles, burn body fat and enhance cognitive functions.

As you can see testosterone does a lot for your body, so when your testosterone level does down, it causes all kinds of health issues.

Man boobs are one of the more common effects of lack of testosterone, but it will also cause other deficiencies and just make things more difficult for you.

Why Hormones Get Imbalanced?

What does estrogen do to a man that causes man boobs? To better understand this we have to understand what estrogen does.

Men have both estrogen and testosterone. During adolescence, some males develop fatty chest tissues due to hormonal imbalance.

However, this is normal and is simply a part of growing up.

As you get older, estrogen is converted to testosterone, and the male body develops the beard, mustache, a deepening voice, etc.

In other words, the situation usually resolves by itself.

It is a different matter if a hormonal imbalance occurs during adulthood.

For whatever reason it happens, be it due to illness, weight gain, etc, an excessive amount of fatty tissue ends up in the chest area, causing the breasts to get bigger.

What we have established so far is that man boob is going to be a problem if your hormones are not balanced. If you live a healthy lifestyle and not overweight, there is a good chance you won’t get man boobs.

But now let’s take a deeper look at the reasons why gynecomastia arises from out of balance hormones.

1. Stress:

Everyone gets stressed at one point or another, but some people are more vulnerable to stress than others.

When you’re under stress and sensitive to estrogen, it is easy for your hormones to get out of control and go up or down.

Add the fact that you’re naturally vulnerable to slight hormonal changes and it will affect your bodily processes.

This, in turn, leads to faster gynecomastia development. If you’re overweight and in your 30s or older, you’re even more susceptible.

2. Unhealthy Diet:

There is a lot that can be said about not eating the right foods, but we’re limiting our discussion to the effect it has on your man boobs.

There are a lot of health issues that can occur if you eat unhealthy food, but what it really comes down to is the more fatty foods you eat, the more fats will end up in your body.

The excess fat in your body ends up in your stomach, thighs, chest, etc. And the fat in your chest turns into man boobs.

In many cases, your chest both grow large, but in other cases it only one side so you end up with an imbalanced chest.

The problem with unhealthy diet is compounded if you don’t exercise. If you don’t work out and on a poor diet, it’s only going to get worse.

Some might debate whether man boobs is due to fat or hormones, but what cannot be debated is the fact that a poor diet will go far in stimulating estrogen growth.

3. Steroids:

If you work out, you may have heard of steroids and what it can do. The side effects are terrible, and one of those is the growth and spread of fatty tissues in your chest area.

The swelling is also not limited to your chest as it can also spread to other parts of your body, so it is best to avoid steroids.

4. Aging:

As you age, your metabolism slows down and makes it harder and harder to lose fat. This could lead to rapid accumulation of fat in your chest.

Aging could also lead to hormones getting out of whack, so that is something else to consider. While aging can cause gynecomastia, that does not mean it is something you should accept. As will be shown later, there are solutions to getting rid of man boobs permanently.

5. Chemical Exposure:

Being exposed to pollutants and all types of chemicals could cause damage to your body. This could also lead to excessive fats being stored and your estrogen and testosterone levels getting out of control. All of these could end up causing gynecomastia.

Can A Man Still Get Man Boobs if His Hormones are at Normal Level?

While hormonal causes of gynecomastia are due to imbalance, that does not mean men with normal hormone levels are not vulnerable.

On the contrary, they could still end up with man boobs if they’re sensitive to estrogen levels. You’ll also be vulnerable if you’re not as sensitive to regular testosterone levels.

What it comes down to is breast sensitivity. If your breasts are vulnerable to hormonal changes, it could make you more susceptible to even a slight increase in estrogen or a slight reduction in testosterone.

There are examinations to determine your hormone levels, but there aren’t any for detecting your sensitivity.

The point is even if your hormone levels are normal, gynecomastia is still a possibility due to abnormalities in the androgen and estrogen receptors. Environmental toxins or birth defects may cause these disorders.

Aside from the environment, some people are just born with this kind of condition. Genetics may have something to do with it, but some men are simply more sensitive to changes.

If you’re one of those people, then you’ve got to be prepared for it.

Solutions: How To Lower Estrogen Levels In Males

Now that we know the hormonal causes of gynecomastia, what can be done about it? There are many ways to deal with the situation.

One of the most effective ways is to reduce body fat. If you have 20% or more body fat, you’re vulnerable to developing high estrogen levels and man boobs.

That is why it is important that you reduce body fat to lower the odds of developing gynecomastia.

Another option is to go on a healthy diet. Actually, this should be done hand in hand with your workouts.

By eating healthy foods, you’ll lower the number of fats stored in your chest. You’ll also cut down the amount of fat in your body.

You can also use aromatase inhibitors to reduce your estrogen levels. Aromatase inhibitors are medications that block aromatase, the enzyme that turns testosterone into estrogen. Taking these medications may reduce estrogen levels significantly.