One of the best Los Angeles gynecomastia surgeons, Dr. Joseph T. Cruise, has collected data showing the common factor among bodybuilders, who come to his practice concerned about the development of enlarged male breasts, is steroid use. Of these patients, all have required gynecomastia surgery to correct the problem.
Dr. Joseph T. Cruise’s recent in-house study shows that approximately fifty percent of patients who come to see him with the problem of enlarged male breasts have hormone-induced gynecomastia. In addition, the vast majority are bodybuilders who have taken steroids at some point in their lives. Findings also show that all of his patients who developed breast tissue as a result of steroid use have required gynecomastia surgery. “It’s unfortunate that men who are very fitness-minded don’t have a better medical understanding about the negative effect steroids can have on their body, specifically their chest. Even those who know the risks don’t truly understand that once you develop enlarged breasts, surgery is the only viable option for correcting it,” explains Dr. Joseph Cruise.
Most male bodybuilders are very body-conscious and place a high value on their appearance. This often causes men to push their physique to the limits by experimenting with steroid use. While many will research the pros and cons of taking steroids and learn they’re at risk of developing gynecomastia, they don’t fully grasp the long-term implications of developing enlarged male breasts.
Steroids are converted by the body—often in fat cells—into estrogen. This increase in estrogen levels is what can cause men to develop unwanted breast tissue. Even when aware of the risk, many men mistakenly believe it can be reversed or prevented without surgery.
There are many companies that sell estrogen blockers with the promise of preventing estrogen conversion and reducing the severity of gynecomastia. Many bodybuilders using steroids invest heavily in these supplements, only to later discover they don’t deliver on their promise.
