Conditions
Gynaecomastia
Ask any teenage boy if he’d like a pair of breasts for the day and the response will probably be a resounding “yes!” This will usually be followed by an enthusiastic and all too detailed account of how the day would pan out with his new bosoms. But for teenage boys whose physical appearance really is defined by this curvy feminine feature, the embarrassment far outweighs the novelty. Gynaecomastia (more commonly known as ‘man boobs’) is a common condition where tender breast tissue grows under the nipples. It is usually caused by an imbalance of hormones during puberty and usually disappears without treatment within a couple of years. ‘False gynecomastia’ is when men and boys develop breasts as a result of too much fat on their chest, which is usually helped by losing weight, through a combination of healthy eating and regular exercise.
Comments
You can share your experiences and thoughts with other Embarrassing Bodies site-users below. Comments are reviewed before they are published.
Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
i am at wits end corner yes i have gynaecomastia and on two occasions my doctor has sent me to the hospital for obsevations thankfully i don't have cancer but niether is their any chance of surgery on the NHS. my doctor tried to reduce my concern by saying who gives a dam you are 65 robert but i hate to see myself naked i am never able to wear a tee shirt or go swimming i am constantly trying to lose weight but i have just found out on the internet that neither excercise nor weight loss will make any difference "please help"
Hi im 19, an have had puffy nipples for about 2/3 years it realy knocks my confidence, i mean im not over weight im 6'5" and weigh about 13.5 stone, was just wondering if they would ever go away as i age?
hi im 14 and have lumps under neigh my nipples and when touched can kinda hurt. when im warm the nipple becomes bigger, is this a cancer or just hormones. i have had this for a bout a year now and is realy concerning me as i am told i have boobs, im not over weight and would call my self quite thin. can you help please?
i am 27 and have had man boobs all my life, i regulary excercise but have never been a able to lose my boobs yet i have no problems on any other parts of my body. i have looked at surgery but it's very expensive. any suggestions or possible advice on how to lose my boobs?
hey, im 15 and have really pointy nipples. it is so bad! I have had them for about a year maybe. They are reasonably tender and have lumps (which i believe as blood tissue) under them, but the point bit is actually soft and squishy.. ...thanks, Danny
hey, im 15 and have really pointy nipples. it is so bad that i can only wear dark coloured tops so they dont show up as bad, but im constantly teased to having boobs? they are reasonably tender and have lumps under them, but the point bit is actually soft and squishy.. ...thanks
Hi im 17 and am 6foot 1 with a 28 inch waste and weigh 10stone and am very active and not at all over weight but i still have lumps under my nipples which have got bigger over the last year or 2! and they are ruining my life ! i feel so embaressed and always where thick tops to cover them up! is there anything i can do to help get rid of them? please please help me !
hey im 14
i have 2 lumps under both nipples and have had them for a while
my nipples a puffy when im hot
i want to know when these lumps will go away and will i loose a bit if my man boobs when they are gone.
hello im 13 and i have man boobs but thay feel diffrent to my fat i no im over wait i exisize i eat well but i dont seem to lose it and it has got to a poit were im grtting bullied for my man boobs
hello
i am writing to say is there anyway of getting rid of this because it is really ruining my life it is emmbaresing PLEASE HELP
Important Notice
The information provided on this website (including any NHS Choices medical information) is for use as information or for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical care by a qualified doctor or other qualified healthcare professional. We do not warrant that any information included within this site will meet your health or medical requirements. This Embarrassing Bodies site does not provide any medical or diagnostic services so you should always check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.
If you want to embed our videos in your site, read our embedding T&Cs here


The EB doctors have been looking at your comments and have answered some of the common questions below. Remember that it is always best to check with a health professional if you have any concerns about your health.