Can Exercise Reduce the Appearance of Male Breasts?

For many men, the appearance of enlarged breasts is a source of discomfort and self-consciousness. This condition, known as gynecomastia, involves the swelling of breast tissue in boys or men, often caused by an imbalance of the hormones. It can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly. While it is a relatively common condition, particularly during puberty, its persistence can be bothersome and lead to psychological distress. 

Many men turn to exercise as a first step in addressing this issue, hoping to reduce the size of their breasts through physical activity. Exercise, especially strength training and cardiovascular workouts, can certainly help in reducing overall body fat, which might decrease the prominence of male breasts. Targeted exercises, like chest presses, push-ups, and cardio can help tone the chest muscles and improve overall body composition. 

However, it is crucial to distinguish between true gynecomastia, which involves the growth of glandular tissue, and pseudogynecomastia, where breast enlargement is due to an increase in fat deposits. Exercise can aid those with pseudogynecomastia by reducing fat, but true gynecomastia typically requires different interventions, as it is less affected by weight changes. 

Gynecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction surgery, is often the most effective treatment for those who do not see results from lifestyle changes like diet and exercise. This surgical procedure involves the removal of excess breast tissue, and possibly fat and skin, to achieve a flatter, more traditionally masculine chest contour. In some cases, if gynecomastia is primarily caused by factors like obesity, exercise and proper nutrition may improve the condition. During a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Andrew Cohen, MD, he can help patients understand the underlying causes of their gynecomastia and determine the best course of action, be it lifestyle modifications or surgery. 

While exercise can be a beneficial part of addressing gynecomastia, its effectiveness largely depends on the nature of the breast enlargement. For those looking for more definitive results, particularly where glandular tissue is predominant, gynecomastia surgery may be the recommended solution. For more information about gynecomastia surgery, or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cohen, please contact our office today.