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Gyno is the less embarrassing name for Gynecomastia.
This condition causes men to experience growth of their breast tissue and breast size.
As a matter of fact, it isn’t as rare as we think with 200,000 new cases of Gynecomastia every year.
The biggest reason Gynecomastia is considered embarrassing is that breasts are a sign of femininity.
So, for some people who have Gyno, they may think themselves to be less of a man.
However, I found many people with Gynecomastia have found different methods of dealing with this problem.
This article will help you better understand this problem and how you can get rid of gyno quickly.
What is Gyno?
Before we go into the details on how to get rid of gyno, let’s understand what it is first.
Gynecomastia is a medical condition where the male breast tissue in enlarged.
It’s often seen in teenagers going through puberty and older men.
However, it’s also a problem many bodybuilders go through.
This is because steroid use is associated with the hormone imbalance that causes Gyno.
However, these are most effective on mild or moderate cases of gyno.
To know if you have this condition, take a look at the symptoms I have mentioned in this article.
You should also talk to your doctor to confirm the diagnoses and get a treatment plan.
What Causes Gyno or Gynecomastia?
As you may already know, both men and women have testosterone and estrogen in their systems, just in different concentrations.
In the case of men, they have a higher level of testosterone and a lower level of estrogen.
The opposite is true for women, which is why when estrogen levels rise in men, they develop breast tissue.
There are a few reasons the natural balance between estrogen and testosterone can get disrupted.
In typical cases, stabilizing this balance can eliminate the cause of gyno.
But sometimes, extreme steps like surgery may be required.
Here are the reasons for an elevated estrogen level in men:
Low Testosterone Levels
Some men have naturally low testosterone levels while others experience a decline over time.
This change in hormone levels can affect the hormone balance.
If disrupted, a higher estrogen level can cause you to experience gyno for yourself.
You can have your doctor take some blood and check your T-levels accurately.
Drinking
Do you like to drink? Well, I am here to tell you that your favorite weekend pastime may be giving you moobs.
This is because excessive drinking lowers your testosterone and increases your estrogen levels.
Drinking is a significant factor in why many drinkers have low muscle and high-fat percentage.
Of course, we are talking about drinking too much here, not just a pint after work.
Also, binge drinking can cause other health problems but avoiding gyno is a good reason to control this habit.
Weight Gain
Weight gain is a major factor which causes hormone imbalance in men.
This is due to a process called Aromatization which converts testosterone to estrogen.
As you gain weight, this process is activated, converting your existing testosterone into estrogen.
This is also why obese or overweight men often have Gynecomastia.
So, there you go. Another reason you should lay off the fast food burgers.
Puberty
Gynecomastia in teens is quite common as puberty causes a surge in hormone production.
Unfortunately, sometimes, this can result in higher than normal estrogen levels.
The increase in estrogen causes breast tissue to develop, also causing puffy and sensitive nipples.
For most cases of Gynecomastia caused by puberty, the hormone levels regulate themselves with time.
This means that you don’t have to do anything but wait.
However, if there is a strong hormone imbalance, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis.
Prescription Medication
Side effects from taking some medications can cause Gynecomastia.
While the chances of this happening are slim, some drugs can cause this problem.
If you experience this issue when taking any medications, immediately talk to your doctor about changing your medication.
Anabolic Steroids
Gyno caused by anabolic steroids is a well-known phenomenon.
This is often evident with steroids that increase testosterone levels artificially.
Your body increases estrogen product to maintain hormone balance with the artificial testosterone.
This increase in estrogen is also required to reduce blood pressure and cholesterol levels that rise with testosterone.
Unfortunately, the increased levels of estrogen cause some men to develop moobs.
It is also considered to be a sign of someone taking steroids for bodybuilding.
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Gyno?
The best way to get a firm diagnosis of Gynecomastia is to talk to your doctor.
You may have to go through a few tests include ones for thyroid function, liver, and kidney.
Hormone levels are also checked via a blood test for an accurate measure of testosterone and estrogen levels.
However, you can also do self-examination by observing if you have the following:
Increased Nipple Sensitivity
Nipple sensitivity is one of the strongest indicators of something being amiss.
This is because the sensitivity of the nipples can be elevated even before any visible signs of moobs are present.
And to clarify, this sensitivity is not the good kind either.
Steroid users who have experienced this before mention tenderness which turns to pain after the condition worsens.
Nipple Puffiness
Men usually have small nipples that don’t serve any real purpose.
Contrarily, they end up puffier when estrogen levels rise. The estrogen also causes the nipples to become visible bigger and protruding.
Steroid-use in sports and bodybuilding has been the center of this symptom as it’s easily noticeable.
Some have even stated that the puffy nipples look like mini track cones and pointed hats.
Mass formation Under The Nipples
While nipple sensitivity and puffiness can start early, there is another symptom of Gynecomastia that you should avoid.
Lumps can form underneath the nipple region in mild cases.
If you notice this mass formation under your nipples, get your doctor to check it out immediately.
Arm Pain
As the formed mass expands, it can cause some discomfort and pain.
This usually occurs when the mass reaches under the armpit, affecting the mobility of the arm.
If your situation has reached this stage, you may have to get it surgically removed.
However, you still need to have your doctor diagnose it first.
How To Get Rid Of Gyno?
You are in luck if you are searching for ways to get rid of Gyno. Many of the readers here at FitnessGraft.com have asked me about practical methods for this. Therefore, I have listed four ways you can control and eliminate Gynecomastia.Some of these are easier than others. Give this list a read and find what works for you.
Consider Surgery
Gynecomastia surgery is the extreme method as it can be painful and expensive. This is because it requires the doctor to cut out the excess breast tissue that’s causing problems. The post-op recovery is also said to be somewhat painful.
Also, you should know that you will not be able to work out or exercise while recovering.
Lose Weight
As we discussed earlier in the article, weight gain can result in higher estrogen levels that form breast tissue.
In short, one of the best ways to eliminate Gyno is by losing fat and weight.
Chest exercises are useful in this, but you need to concentrate on the overall fat loss for effective results.
A routine that combines cardio and resistance training works while a healthy weight loss diet also helps.
Take PCT
PCT stands for Post Cycle Therapy. It is crucial to use when you complete a steroid cycle.
This is because it helps stabilize your hormone levels.
However, studies have also shown that herbal PCT supplements can also provide similar results.
These are also available online, and I have read multiple reviews that speak highly of these products.
Don’t Ejaculate
While I don’t want to be the bearer of bad news, your bedroom activities may also affect your estrogen levels.
This is because male ejaculation causes testosterone levels to drop and prolactin levels to rise.
So, if you don’t spend too much time doing the deed, you should be able to recover your hormone balance.
I know this is a tall order for most men, but it seems to work for some.