What is Pseudogynecomastia?

In understanding what pseudogynecomastia is, it’s important to be able to differentiate between this condition and gynecomastia. While gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia are both characterized by the enlargement of the breasts, or what is colloquially termed as “man boobs”,  there is a slight difference between the two conditions.

Gynecomastia develops mainly due to an imbalance in the hormones and underlying medical conditions. The male breasts start to grow during adolescence, but the condition can go away as the man matures and his body chemistry changes. It can remain enlarged later in life, however, due to other medical reasons. A breast reduction surgery may be needed to correct this.

Pseudogynecomastia, on the other hand, exists because of one reason; it’s when a man chooses to have a sedentary lifestyle, and does no exercise to keep his body fit and healthy. Unlike gynecomastia, however,  there are fewer risk factors involved with pseudogynecomastia. In simple terms, the condition is largely due to fatty deposits in the breast area and may be corrected by diet changes and exercise.

Examining The Body

Many people actually get confused between the two conditions and sometimes go ahead with taking treatments even without proper advise, exams, and consultation. There are several ways to tell if a man has gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia and he can either do the tests himself, or better yet, consult a professional for a more accurate testing.

Doing a Breast Examination:

1. Lie down flat on your back.
2. With your forefinger and thumb, try pressing the areola, which is the area around the nipple.
3. If your fingers touch, and the areola feels soft and tender, the condition is more likely pseudogynecomastia.
4. If your fingers feel a firm and rubbery surface, it may indicate gynecomastia.
5. If your nipples have discharge or bleeding, or is painful when touched, it may also indicate gynecomastia.

You can also examine your testicles carefully. Any enlargement or lumps you feel as you touch it may mean that a nodule is present, which could indicate gynecomastia, rather than pseudogynecomastia. But it may also be a symptom of other conditions, so it’s better to have a doctor examine this further.

At a doctor’s clinic, you will be required to undergo a mammogram test, a blood test and a biopsy. In some cases, a testicular ultrasound may also be asked. The doctor may also ask about your family’s medical history to rule out any genetic condition, as well as your own medical history, to determine whether you have taken medication that may induce the development of gynecomastia.

Treating Pseudogynecomastia

Since pseudogynecomastia is due to fat, treatment requires picking a more active lifestyle, such as having regular exercises and a fitness regimen, and changing eating habits. The idea is to turn the fatty tissues around the breasts into muscle tissues.

• Some exercises that can be done to reduce breast enlargement include push-ups, cardio exercises, weights, chest exercises, cycling and jogging.
• Limit the activities that may leave a man confined to just sitting or lying down and encourage a more active lifestyle. A simple walk around the neighborhood with the dog can be exercise.
• Doing away with foods rich in saturated fats and preservatives must be eliminated from the diet.
• Fruit, vegetables and alkaline rich foods must also be incorporated in the daily meal.

Reducing fat deposits in the chest takes time, hard work and determination. It also requires the support of family members or close friends for motivation, thus involving them in the quest to reduce weight can help.