Buying Guide to Gynecomastia Compression Tops

A Guide to Buying Gynecomastia Shirts

Gynecomastia shirts offer many useful benefits, but this guide focuses primarily on your options when shopping for one. If you’d like to find out more about gynecomastia and how it affects men, check out the summary that follows. For more advice about common causes, symptoms, preventions and treatments for gynecomastia, browse the range of informative articles on our site.

Compression shirts are an important tool in the prevention and treatment for many men dealing with Gynecomastia. Doctors are diagnosing an increasing number of men with marginal gynecomastia, and for many of those men, purpose-made compression shirts are being recommended. Recent studies conducted on the pervasiveness of gynecomastia indicate that in Australia, about one third of the adult male population experience the condition to some extent. About half of all boys going through puberty experience it, but it usually goes away over time.

What is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia refers to the growth of breast tissue in males. Gynecomastia is quite normal in children and pubescent boys, in whom it usually goes away during adolescence. The term ‘man boobs’ is often used to talk about fatty deposits on the breasts that occur in obese men, but this isn’t actually genuine gynecomastia. True gynecomastia occurs when glandular tissue becomes enlarged, not fat tissue.

Gynecomastia can result from a hormone imbalance, most frequently an increased amount of oestrogen in comparison to androgen. Don’t be fooled by the myth that only women normally produce oestrogen while men produce androgen and testosterone – in truth all genders produce all of these, but I different proportions. Fluctuating proportions and overall levels are common in children, and as men age, you tend to produce slightly more oestrogen. In your body, a higher level of oestrogen could be something that is normal and healthy for you, or it could be a health issue that you want to address.

What are Gynecomastia Shirts?

Gynecomastia shirts are purpose-designed compression vests or shirts that help to reduce the visibility of prominent breast tissue in men. Compression shirts offer an easy, non-invasive way to mitigate the appearance of ‘man boobs’: when sized and fitted correctly, they are very comfortable and can provide an excellent boost to your confidence. Compression garments of different types are routinely recommended for people recovering from surgery as they help muscles to regain their former smoothness and elasticity, and help tissues to form evenly.

When Should You Use One?

A compression shirt is an excellent treatment choice for anyone experiencing minor gynecomastia that isn’t suited to treatment with surgery, hormone therapy or other medication. More than 50% of older men have gynecomastia, and compression vests are the best option for reducing the appearance of man boobs instantly.

Do They Work?

Compression shirts work simply. They are designed from a combination of elastic materials that can deliver a precise amount of pressure in a very even way around a limb or part of the torso. Different weaves and materials are chosen to create the right mix of flex and pressure, and sometimes in different strengths depending on your particular needs. When worn under your normal clothing, they offer just enough strength to dramatically change the appearance of your body shape, but are gentle enough to be worn comfortably all day. They work instantly, can be removed instantly, and are certainly cost-effective compared to surgical or ongoing medical treatment options.

Pros and Cons of Gynecomastia Shirts

There’s an impressive list of advantages: you won’t require invasive gynecomastia surgery or medication; shirts are relatively much more affordable, and they work immediately. Aside from an initial fitting (which can be self-assessed), there’s no need for an official diagnosis, preparation, dietary restrictions or hospital visits. They also provide the extra benefit of making your torso appear generally more slim and toned. You can choose to wear them every day, or on special occasions only – it’s up to you.

The only significant drawback to compression shirts is that the fix they offer is temporary, and won’t work if you want to relax shirtless at the beach, for example.

Should You Get One?

If you’re looking for an effective, safe and affordable treatment for gynecomastia symptoms, yes. The next question is: which brand should you get and where can you buy them?

How do I Choose One?

Base your choice on the amount of skin you want covered overall, and the strength of pressure. Within the coverage and firmness category that suits your physiology, you’ll then find sizing. Grab a tape measure and look up the measuring guide/sizing chart provided by the compression vest company that you’re buying from.

Where can I Buy One?

Men’s compression vests for gynecomastia can be found in regular retail store and online stores. Online, try Amazon.com.au, o2fit.com.au or shop.blackchrome.com.au to start with. Prices vary between brands, compression amounts, and occasionally sizes.

Which Brand is the Best?

Insta Slim, Under Armour, and Nike all make compression shirts suitable for gynecomastia symptoms. There are many more brands out there producing fairly priced options. Underworks, for example, sell gynecomastia shirts starting from $29.99.

Under Armour’s range of compression shirts sell from $18 up to $90 at the luxury-athlete end of the spectrum.

Prominent athletics clothing manufacturer Nike offer several compression vests from $20 to $30 each.

Insta Slim offer compression shirts for about $19 to $80, stocked by a wide range of online retailers.

You’ll find certain products are geared toward everyday air-conditioned office wear while others are performance, sweat-wicking models. Underworks and Insta Slim are good options for the former, while Nike, Under Armour and similar sports-focussed brands can be trusted for their high-tech durability under a little more wear and tear.

What are my Other Options?

Gynecomastia supplements and surgery are the main alternative treatments for men who want permanent results. Compression shirts are often recommended to patients while they wait for medical treatment to take effect, or while they recover from surgery.