Quick and simple question: Why do some guys have breasts?
I used to believe that only the overweights have 'em. But I’ve been noticing that even men who aren’t that heavy are showing off their knockers.
Is it possible to decrease man breast size with exercises or diets? Is it what they eat that makes their boobs big?
I need answers!
Ignoring the flippancy in the op…
Men have estrogen. Women have testosterone. One of the reasons why men can have what appears to be somewhat developed breasts or women can have noticible facial hair is because of imbalances in said hormones.
That’s just one of the reasons, though. There are many others that I will not mention, as I don’t know jack about them.
In cases of hormonal imbalance, however, a visit to an endocrinologist is key- medication can regulate hormones. A woman with unusually heavy facial hair might go on the pill (if the imbalance is ovarian) or take a steroid such as Prednizone (if it’s adrenal.) Men with developed breasts might take an estrogen supressor or, IIRC, have surgery.
There is also the chance that you have man-breasts because of lost skin elasticity or fatty deposits. The latter can be somewhat eradicated if you lose the fat. The former I don’t know so much about.
…so they don’t have to get anyone drunk to play with a pair…?
::ducks & runs::
Do a web search for “gynecomastia”. Causes include obesity, genetic problems (Reifenstein’s syndrome, Kleinfelter’s syndrome, etc.), liver damage, and any number of other things that will alter the hormone balance.
Why do some guys have breasts? >>>>>>>>>>>>>
A perfect example of… what’s the proper name? Incorrect question, anyway. Guys do not have breasts. They may appear as they have "
breasts", i.e. an obese guy may have something which makes you think of a bra (remember “Seinfeld”?). It may be excessive fat, or too much fibrous tissue. It’s never (save for exotic hermaphroditism) real glandular tissue (i.e., a tissue similar to female tissue capable of producing milk). Introduction of estrogens can cause swelling in breast area due to proliferation of fibrous tissue or ducts (which are normal in males), called gynecomastia, but no real milk-producing glands.
Lastly, Dark, a guy can eat cow’s udder all day long or eat whatever, it will not cause gynecomastia. Life is more complex.
The technical term is “he boobies” as noted by hip, urban newsweekly toon-meister Derf.
I think that you’re off base peace. All men have breasts.
Whatever Merriam Webster says is true. Men do have breasts.
They can’t make milk, like women can. So, you use the same word to describe different things. They look similar on the surface, but they are diffrent. What else do you not know and whould like to learn?
I know that I am off base. My mother told me this years ago.
Having breasts doesn’t mean that you can give milk. That’s the job of the mammory glands.
Granted that one would need breasts in order to have these glands, but that is not the case for the vice versa.
Don’t let the term “Breasts” throw you. Both sexes have them…but only one of them have ones that function like they are intended.
My 2 cents…
Dunno about verifying them, that will have to wait 'till I can get to a library.
http://www.themestream.com/articles/79805.html
http://www.dickinson.edu/~nicholsa/Romnat/anxiety.htm
and in babies…
http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a1_093.html
And of course, lactation in males in mammals other then humans has been covered before - fruit bats and all that.
I always thought they are intended to be grabbed, squeezed, carressed, kissed, etc. When not in use, be out in a bra. Once in a while they can produce milk and nurse. That’s how they are intended.
I hope Dark has one less question now.
Doubleclick, as Mr. Adams pointed out in his column above, both men and women do indeed have the necessary glands.
And as I mentioned in a thread on his column, Diamond has a great book which has a chapter devoted to male lactation and its evolutionary benefits.
Thread here:
http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=1903
They are…well…the female ones anyway…= )
some male bats nurse their young, I think. If you gave a guy enough prolactin, would he start churning out the cream?
jb, hoping to make his own boob cheese
scratch that last post. opened the page a few minutes ago, and didn’t refresh it when I answered.
jb,
perhaps he’ll make some yogurt
There is such a thing as male breast reduction.
Usually mentioned in articles on liposuction.
Exactly, Bar. Both male and female breasts can be reduced and enlarged by lipo…, i.e., by fat. Only women’s breas, i.e., mammary gland, can produce milk. I believe, prolactin acts on existing lactiferous tissue, it does not make it, at least, not in adult.
And men can contract breast cancer. Although it’s rare in men, it’s definitely not something you want to get. The prognosis is usually not good if you are man diagnosed with it because most men aren’t paying attention to any warning signs whatsoever about it.
look peace, please reference the links I provided above.
Men’s breasts can produce milk. The glands are there.
geez