Men wearing bras?

man boobs

"Thank you 4 your site with info on man boobs but I noticed most of these cases involved overweight men. This is not always the case. I am a 52 yr old fit male who 2 years ago had a normal male chest. Medications causing a hormonal imbalance have resulted in me growing fully "female" breasts, not fat sacks. I had a professional bra fitting & found out im a 38 C and since I do not have extra body fat, they clearly stand out as "female" breasts. I wanted to clarify that not just fat guys can get boobs."

male breast growth

I am 49 years old. Six years ago I was diagnosed with testicular cancer. After two years of chemo, surgery was performed. In addition, I was put on reverse HRT. Since that time my breast have begun to grow nonstop. I am now a 42C and must wear a sports bra everyday to suppress additional movement. According to the breast size of the women in my family, my doctor expects my growth to reach a 42D by this time next year. I don't have a problem with having large breast for they are a part of me. Plus, I will be here to see the arrival of my third grandson this September. Thanks again.

Men wearing bras—man-boobs or gynecomastia

This may sound odd if you've never thought about it, but some straight men do wear bras (they are not transsexual, cross-dressers, or wanting to have breasts). Men may in some cases feel compelled to wear a bra if they have considerable amount of breast tissue and feel the need to hide that fact.

For these men the bra just is a garment as any other; it is not anything sexual. (Of course it doesn't have to be a sexual garment for women either.) It is also possible to find special vests (gynecomastia vests) for this purpose.

All men have breasts and nipples but usually there is so little of the actual breast tissue that they appear flat-chested. However, there are many reasons why men or boys might have visible or protruding breasts. The medical term for this is gynecomastia.

One reason is a hormonal imbalance during puberty. In fact, this can happen up to 40% of teenage boys. This condition will disappear in 90% of these boys within 3 years or less.

Other reasons are side effects of some prescription drugs, or some diseases of the hormonal system of the body (hormonal imbalances). For example, testicular cancer often results in growth of the breast tissue. And there are yet other reasons. If a man's testosterone production drops considerably, his breasts can develop, because all men do produce some estrogen (which drives the breast growth).

Note that if a man has visible breast growth, that does not mean he is homosexual, though many people seem to think so, and men who suffer from gynecomastica are often ridiculed as being "gays". Conversely, a homosexual person does not necessarily have breast growth.

Growing breasts is of course usually very embarrassing for the boy or man, but it may help to know that you are not alone. Even if you wear bras to hide your breasts, you are not alone.

You will find more information and support forums and groups by searching the internet with the medical term 'gynecomastia' in your search; for example searching for 'gynecomastia forum' in major search engines yields good results.

Remember also the special garment "gynecomastia vest" designed for men with the problem.

See also
Gynecomastia in Adolescents

Other people's comments

The following comments are from various visitors to www.007b.com. 007 Breasts is not necessarily endorsing everything written in the comments. The comments and opinions below belong to the commenters who made them. The comments are posted here because they might further help and encourage men and women who visit this website; however 007 Breasts is NOT responsible for the comments nor for any loss or damage caused by reading them.

Hello,

thank you for your website! I really like to give a comment on the page where you mention the gynecomastia. I see every day men out there with this problem, and we need to make it common knowledge, that some men too need a bra, that they are not gay or transsexual, but just need a garment to stop their breast tissue from dancing around, as almost every women in the world does.

I'm 43 and live in Germany, I too have breasts, not so large as many others, but they are a good 38D cup. This sounds large but since male breasts are more flat than women's breats it is a good living with them. I arranged with my breats, and wear a bra every day. The jiggling makes them more visible and is annoying, so a good seamless invisble bra is a good option. Also, I have pain in the left breast when I do not wear one, the pain is completely gone after putting on a bra. So why should I not wear one? 3.000.000.000 women wear one. There are a lot of comfortable almost invisble skin-colored bras without lace out there, no one never noticed one on me. And no, I am not gay :-) I just do not want to have this pain every day. My wife accepts it, she knows how they can hurt. The kids don't bother either. So men, give it a try, it is in fact just a piece of fabric helping you.

Daniel

I have been diagnozed with having Klinfelter Syndrome or 47xxy syndrome at the age of 66 yrs. Now I had man boobs too and had them removed when I was 16 yrs old and when I got to a 30 yr old I was told that I was sterile after having test done and no way I could have children. But no one said about it could be 47xxy syndrome until now it's out in the open. So my advice is for men with boobs HAVE a chromosome test done and you might be like me abnormal.

David

I recently started using men's compression shirts for gynecomastia. I have very large breasts, so I do need some support, and these work great! I get mine from Underworks. They don't restrict you like a bra does and they fit like a tank top, while still giving you that little bit of support that you want. I love them!

Shann

Hi Maria
You provide a great service for women and I am glad you acknowledge the fact that so many men these days also have significant breast tissue. I would only ask that you do not make men wearing bras the focus of men with breasts. The vast majority of men with significant breast growth will never wear a bra and almost never even talk about the condition.

My Website:
http://shryve.webs.com/gynecomastiapage.htm

William

Thank you for your article "Men wearing bras - man-boobs or gynecomastia". I found the comments quite helpful and was glad to see that I am not the only man who wears a bra because it makes me more comfortable and confident. I'm not quite ready to venture out to the beach yet, but I am gratified to see that I'm not alone.

Another place to find support (no pun intended) is at a Yahoo group. The Men in Bras group is a legitimate place for men to share information on how they cope with their large breasts. At this point we have only a few participants but we would like to spread the word and improve the quality and quantity of the discussion.

Thanks again for your very down to earth site.

Thank you for posting information about men with breasts. There are many men out here with breasts, many dealing with the issue thinking that they are alone. As I have written before I have had large breasts for many years in-fact I had breast cancer 11 years ago. With the support and encouragement of my health care provider and family, I went for a professional bra fitting (this is a must for a proper and comfortable fit). I didn't encounter any negative remarks. I am often called Mamm (even before wearing a bra). This I accept as a form of courtesy not derogatory. Once I accepted my breasts as part of who I am, my life has been good. I live near the water and had not gone in the water until two years ago with the encouragement and insistence of my family, that I wear a woman's swim suit. I was a little self-conscious at first but no one seemed to notice (wish I had worn one years ago).

I am writing this in the hope that it may help those many men out there (there more that one might think) that are suffering needlessly in silence.

You have great website
F

Hello,
You have a very nice web site. Keep up the good work. I was reading your page covering men and bras. Just thought that I would mention a little some thing that you might find helpful. While some men do wear bras out of need because of things like hormonal imbalances, age, medications, ect. There can be some other issues as well. There are a fair amount of people out there that have various genetic conditions, some fairly rare, some more common. I have worked with and known several guys over the years with conditions like Klienfelters and androgen insensitivity syndrome. In some respect, one is more likely to meet some one who is genetically not quite fully male or female than they are to meet a transsexual. For some genetic disorders that leave a person not quite male or female, the rate can be as low as 1:700 while for transsexualism its some thing like 1:30,000. Thanks again for such a nice web site.

J. Bell

Dear Maria:
Thank you for your compassionate article about men (such as myself) who are in the embarrasing position of finding it helpful or even necessary to wear a bra. My doctor says that my breasts are more likely to grow further than to shrink, and the fact that it helps to wear a bra has been a mixed blessing. Your article has helped me to come to terms with this difficult reality.

Sincerely,
Matthew

I see I'm not alone. Like Nick I to had to make the desicion to have testicular surgery due to cancer when I was in my mid 30s. As a result my breasts started to grow over the years. At 53 now I'm about 150 lbs and have to ace bandage my boobs when I go out to work. But when I'm at home and let them free I have to wear a 40DD. My wife and I do not believe in unnessary surgery but I have had concerns about breast cancer now.

Joe C

I too am a male, 43. I suffer from gynegomastia....
I am 5'5 I have 38C breasts. I am so embarrassed; everywhere I go I am jeered at (and assumed to be gay).
I drive a truck and often I get upset and get into confrontations with other men who ever so rudely stare and say obnoxious statements. I started at about 7th grade noticing tender breasts and nipples. I was "developing" right along side with the girls in class. In gym class the boys would play football or soccer. One team was "shirts" the other, "skins". Guess which "team" I was always "put in"? Confidence and self esteem are almost non-existent. I stay home and have no social life.
I loath walking around a construction site, etc. etc. I know how women feel. It is so demoralizing!

I was married for 13 yrs, she was o.k. w/it
I have been divorced for 11 yrs.
I would like to know if there are and where can I find a woman that would accept me this way.
I have no one. No one.

Jon -

hi, I am a male that's been diagnosed with gynecomastia. It's enlargement of the male breast.
I started wearing a bra at the age of 15 thinking that it would only be temporary cause they hurt when they giggled and moved. My mom decided it would be a good idea. I am now 46, still wearing one. I don't have the money for the surgery and we didn't then nor did we have any insurance to cover the cost. Needless to say, because of this I get called names and even sometimes get called ma'm. I am a 36D, I am not gay or bi, but get called faggott or freak, girly man or just coments under people's breath.
I feel odd wearing a bra and feel odd if I don't. I just don't feel like a guy should wear a bra. It's diffrent from some of the posts that their girls want their guy to try one on. I think every man should experience the feel of a bra for at least a month so he will have some idea what it's like for a girl to wear them day after day. This has also put a very big dent in my love life. I have dated but after awhile the girls I am with tell me they can't take it any longer because it's like dating a girl because of my breasts so now I haven't dated in 8 years.
Needless to say, ladies, I know how it feels for you and the decisions you make to either go without one or wear one.
My workplace allows and wouls rather me wear one, but they have never said either way. It's more my choice. They just did really suggest that I do wear one so I do.
if anybody wishes to e mail me, I am open for friendship. I don't have to many friends, guys or girls.
jefft_4209@yahoo.com

jeff

I also I'm a guy of 29 and always have had some kind of breast since I was a child. Even though it is not big, I've always been shy to show in public or to my family of friends since I grew up... Now the only person I feel comfortable taking my clothes off in front is my girlfriend who actually loves it (LOL). Anyway, I want to really get over it but it's hard for me since you didn't really talk a lot about men's breast than you did women. I hope reading more from this site will help me overcome it soon because I love swimming, but I can't even go to the public pool since I am shy. People will be staring at me.

lawrnzo

Hi I'm David, 19 straight male, and I have a large male breast.
I'm wearing bra since I was 16 !!
I have to wear bra becuase the support my breast and protect it.
Of course this is a disaster but i don't have other choice. My girlfriend knows that, could you imagine it, my breast is larger than hers. She helps me by buying me my bra, I could not leave her, without her I can't live. She said that my breast is 38B and so she buys me 2 degree smaller so that it can hide my breast. I hope I can find a solution to this problem, with her it's not a problem but with others it's a disaster.
Good bye

After finding your web site, I feel much better about my body. I am a 32-year old male with breast that fit in a 42C bra because I have been overweight my whole life. I tried mom's 34b bra when I was 12 and it was too tight. I tried my sister's 36D bra at 15 and then, that was comfortable for me. I have never went to the beach or pool without a tee-shirt on. I am not a person that wears woman's clothing though I wear a sport bra on when I do heavy work or activities so my breast, back and underarms don't hurt anymore.
Thank you, Ray

As for the subject on men wearing bras if they have large boobs, I think it just makes sense, especially if they need the support. Have seen women with much smaller breasts than mine who wear a bra, but then since they are a female it is expected. Wish it was more accepted for men who need a bra to wear them and of course it would not be as big of a deal. I have large breasts for a male and need to wear a bra for comfort when I run, which I do often.

bud

I started to grow breasts about 3 yrs ago, now up to 44in B, caused by medication. I wear my bra from the moment I get up until I go to bed. Need the bra for comfort & ease shoulder pain caused by breast growth. Age 66

Pat

I am a normal 69-year old and wear a 40B bra because I have obvious breasts and they need support. I wear one most of the time and feel better and supported when wearing one

K

I am a teenager and am very embarassed by my breasts. They are 34b and being 13 are a nightmare. I wear a bra because as I am in puberty, my breast tissue is very painful when it is moving around. During P.E I am very distressed as my breasts shake around and I am constantly insulted because of them. I wear polo shirts as they are quite baggy and cover them, I wouldn't have surgery to remove them as they are a part of my life.

mikey

I would like to reply to BUD and the pictures of male breast. Yes, men can grow breasts without trying or being gay or having a sex change. I am a male with 42D breasts, and my doctor put me in a bra several years due to developing gynecomastia as a reaction to high dose ulcer meds that he did not tell me about side effects. I too must wear a bra and sleep in a bra due to painful large breast. They bounce and nipples get raw under my shirts without a bra. My new wife has no problem with them and helps me buy my bras. Before her, the x could not deal with the fact I wore bras. I am straight 100% male 6ft 3in 250, it is difficult to hide these things at work as I wear a sorta lightblue uniform shirt and the projection is there. I cannot wear a sports bra due to the pain of mashing them down. I cannot sleep on my stomach either so I too, like Bud, would like to know if there are other men on here with breasts. Bud, I have been in your shoes and are you still growing, I just had to go to a 42D. I hope this is the last bra change for a long time. Best wishes and it takes a man to admit he wears a bra.

bill

A 67 yr old male with gynecomastia, I was referred to your photo gallery and found a lot more. My measurements would indicate I would be a 48 A. Small for a woman perhaps, but I suffered with them and thought they were huge. Over time I have learned that the range of normal is indeed very wide. You can bet my 4 daughters and 9 grand-daughters will be referred to your site. The same mania that sends our girls to seek surgery to augment their breasts is sending a legion of young boys and men to reduce theirs. Boys and girls alike, our youth are being mutilated as a result of the sexualization of our breasts.

Dan

I am a 41 year old married male with one child. I have worn a bra regularly since I had Testicular Cancer nearly two years ago which has resulted in a hormonal imbalance and a resulting growth in 'breast' tissue. I feel more confident in being strapped up rather than being floppy as I walk around.
I don't get a 'kick' out of wearing one-and I wish I didn't need to, but I would rather wear a bra that have widowed my wife and left my son fatherless!
Food for thought for those who say ALL MEN SHOULD NOT WEAR BRAS.

Nick

I'm a 40yo male with an hormone imbalance since 'teens'. I declined medication to help re-adjust this and now have healthy female-like 'B' cup breasts. I started wearing a bra as often as I can since being 22yo. I get no 'kick' or such like from wearing one and see it as just part of having breasts. Indeed after a long term relationship came to an end, the main reason was that my G/F said she could not accept that as she put it, that I treat and think about bras and bra wearing just like a woman does. I do, I'm sorry, I like wearing a bra, it gives me comfort and as I can not display the fact as openly as women can, ie; visible lines etc., when I do wear one I feel more confident as I don't feel my breasts 'move' around so much which I think people notice.
Yes, I have suffered humiliation, ridicule, nasty comments and even threats of violence on the times I have been commented on that I've got a bra on but I really do like to wear one as much as I can. Once again I stress that I get no 'kicks' or thrills from wearing a bra, I really don't think much about it and put one on, wear it on a daily basis.
In fact, if it wasn't for the fact I have to think about when I can't wear one it would be even more just so 'matter of fact'!
Great site here! very interesting, hope no-one minds me posting this. I mean no offence to anyone, I'm no 'crank', Maybe hoped that my views and experience may be of interest to some. Please feel free to ask anything you wish, I have had many experience's with regard to this subject and willing to share those if anyone wants.
Thanks for reading this,
Respect and regards to you all,
Bob<

I am a male with 38B breasts. They have always been large. Have no problems having large boobs for a man, but they ache a lot because I also run a lot. Wearing a bra has helped, but feel strange wearing one at times. Would like to know if there are any other men with this problem, am straight and do not crossdress except for wearing a bra as needed.

bud

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