Gynecomastia is best described as the development of breast tissue in men. It's often caused by hormonal imbalances that lead to a dominance of estrogen in the male body. Increases in estrogen production or decreases in testosterone production can result in a dominance of this female sex hormone. Gynecomastia shouldn't be confused with what's commonly referred to as "man boobs," which is often caused by weight gain, not the formation of breast tissue.
Exercise
If you're suffering from gynecomastia, no amount of exercise will decrease breast tissue. Weight-bearing activities that focus on your chest may help to build muscle, but will do nothing to reduce breast size. Even aerobic activities known to encourage weight loss will fail to improve the appearance of your chest. Your only option is to consult with a doctor or cosmetic surgeon to address the issue.
Reduction
Most cases of gynecomastia resolve on their own. Given time, you can experience a reduction in breast tissue. This doesn't necessarily mean you shouldn't talk to a doctor, but rest assured that the abnormal breast tissue will regress over time, especially when it develops as a result of puberty, according to the National Institutes of Health. Even without exercise, your chest will likely return to normal.
Treatment
Instead of chest exercises, you may see an improvement in breast tissue with the use of certain medications. Two of the more common are tamoxifen and raloxifene, according to MayoClinic.com. These prescription medications are frequently used as a treatment for hormone-receptive cancer, such as cancer of the breast. Both tamoxifen and raloxifene help reduce the amount of estrogen in the body, which can help minimize breast tissue in men.
Surgery
If time and medication fail to provide results, you can then turn to cosmetic surgery to remove abnormal breast tissue. Liposuction can be used to remove any excess fat that may be exacerbating the appearance of breast tissue, but an actual mastectomy is needed to excise the breast tissue.
Medications
Sometimes, all that's necessary to treat gynecomastia is a change in medication. Certain drugs can lead to the development of breast tissue in men. According to the National Institutes of Health, drugs that have antiandrogenic effects on the body, such as ketoconazole, spironolactone, metronidazole or cimetidine, have been known to cause this side effect in some men. Consult your doctor before ceasing the use of any prescription medication.
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