3 Myths About Gynecomastia

You can search the internet for definitions, cat videos, recipes, and a bunch of DIY instructions. However, there are some things you should be wary of when you hop onto the world wide web— especially when it’s medical based. If you have recently been diagnosed with gynecomastia, you may scour the internet to learn more about this condition. And although you may come across a lot of truths, you may run into some myths along the way. To help you differentiate from the two, we have created a list of three common myths associated with gynecomastia. Read on to learn more.

Myth 1: Beer Can Give You Man Boobs

If you’re an avid beer drinker, then you know the difference between a good pale ale and a lager. Hoppy beers like IPA’s contain a plant-based estrogen hormone called phytoestrogen. There’s a common myth circulating these hoppy beers that if you drink too much of them, your estrogen levels will skyrocket and you will grow man boobs. However, because a number of phytoestrogen levels are so low, it won’t create a hormone imbalance.

Myth 2: More Chest Exercises Will Do the Trick

If you see an ounce of fat on your body, you can exercise it away, right? Wrong. A lot of patients think that if they have gynecomastia, which they can work it off with more chest press exercises. However, because it is caused by a hormonal imbalance, it won’t go away until that hormone imbalance is corrected.

Myth 3: It’s Only for People Who Are Overweight

Yes, it is true that the more overweight you are, the more fat you will have stored throughout your body— including your chest. However, even men who are in great shape can have gynecomastia. Gynecomastia occurs when a man doesn’t just develop fat on the chest but breast tissues and cells as well— giving them actual breasts in the process.

To learn more about gynecomastia and some of the symptoms, contact Dr. Rick Silverman’s office today!