As many as 40-50% of the male population suffer from a condition called gynecomastia, the medical term for women-like breasts. Teenage boys or adult males can be burdened with this condition and typically, self-consciousness and obsessive thinking becomes the norm.

Males with gynecomastia work overtime to camouflage their unwanted protrusions. They wear loose clothing and avoid any activities that require baring their chests in public.

Males with gynecomastia generally have a deep seeded desire to be rid of their manboobs or moobs as they are commonly known, and often withdraw socially to avoid exposure and in spite of their anguish, have a reluctance to talk about their condition with anyone. They feel abnormal, can be sometimes confused about their masculinity, and frequently suffer from social embarrassment and emotional distress. Understandably, such a condition can also have a devastating effect on personal relationships and intimacy with members of the opposite sex.

The first point of consideration for those closest to a sufferer, especially in the case of a younger male, is to recognize the symptoms mainly through any visible changes or changes in a boys behavior, and be prepared to offer as much support as possible.

To this end, the first step to helping them resolve the solution is to encourage them to learn about the condition: its prevalence, its causes and its remedies. This will help them to view their unwanted breast development as the common male condition that it is, rather than as an abnormality. Then a visit to the doctor would more than likely be their next move to determine the type and severity of the condition.

Parents of male teenagers and adult men should be aware that about half of all males, irrespective of age, develop gynecomastia in one form or another. The condition may arise in boys as young as twelve years of age, when their sex hormones are beginning to shape their adult sexual characteristics and may temporarily get out of balance. In such cases, physicians generally recommend that nothing be done as the condition will usually disappear given time.

However, in spite of the boys youth, the embarrassment he experiences from taunting classmates and the social isolation he is likely to self impose, sometimes make early surgical intervention for gynecomastia in teenagers a necessity.

In the older male gynecomastia can develop for a variety of reasons, however once its causes have been identified, gynecomastia can usually be reversed with a few simple changes to their everyday lifestyle. The causes of gynecomastia are numerous, for example:

Gynecomastia can develop as a result of obesity.

In body builders who often use muscle-building hormones

In athletes as a result of steroid use.

From smoking marijuana and drinking alcohol in excess.

From the prolonged use of certain prescription drugs or the abuse of other drugs.

In these cases the elimination of drug use, targeted exercise and a healthy balanced diet will help to resolve the problem.

Surgical procedures related to gynecomastia are also a solution and have increased dramatically in the last few years. However, whilst this is a relatively painless solution the costs can be prohibitive and may range from $5,000 to $10,000. It therefore makes sense to try a natural remedy first.

There is therefore an urgent need for an understanding of the condition for both the victims and for those closest to them. Embarrassment and fear of rejection can have devastating long term effects unless the problem is addressed as early as possible. What's more, avoiding treatment or seeking a solution can lead to other, more serious physical, emotional, and social complications.

Every man should be able to revel in his masculinity. More knowledgeable victims of gynecomastia will take the view that men should be different from women, not from other men, and have the right to make their bodies more fitting with their chosen sexual identity. Education about gynecomastia, its causes and treatments is the first major step to allowing 50% of the male population have a better shot at a happy and healthier life.