MAN BOOBS: GYNECOMASTIA

Living in Hawaii with its year-round summer and flocks of tourists, we are daily subjected to cringe-worthy displays of droopy bouncy man boobs. The disconnect that so many people have with their own body is fascinating—obese women packed into skinny jeans or short-shorts, fat old guys wearing tiny speedos and proudly and shirtlessly displaying female breasts are an everyday sight here.

Man boobs primarily are due to a low level of the male hormone testosterone and an overabundance of the female hormone estrogen. One might think those who consider themselves to be “manly men” would be horrified to be producing estrogen in such copious quantities that they have literally grown female breasts, but apparently this is not the case.

A secondary culprit is, of course, diet—the food and drink choices these men make on a daily basis. Youthful muscle being replaced by fat is yet another intentional contributing factor.

Yes, I’m shaming these men, if only for the humorous way they’ve convinced themselves that their breasts are not womanly rather than just fixing the obvious problem. It’s the same level of denial that causes giant-bellied guys to appear on a public beach proudly wearing a speedo.

HRT is essential for the majority of older men and they should consult with their doctor as to their candidacy based on a simple blood test. This condition is known as gynecomastia and in most cases surgery, such a liposuction, is the only treatment. But unless the individual also changes his diet and begins a challenging workout routine, the feminine condition will return.