Male who needs a bra?

Question

I am a male, I think I need a sports bra, I measured my size and it would be 38C. I went to the mall today and looked at sports bras but did not have guts to ask to try it on. How can I approach my family as to why I need one. It would be for comfort when I am active. For support much like a female. What should I do?

What would be the best sports bra that would show the least? thank-you for all your answers

What would be the best sports bra that would show the least? thank-you for all your answers. No I did not take any hormones at all.

I would not go for surgery. I accept that I have them.

I am not gay in the least bit, I am heterosexual.

while I did go to the doctor. It is just weight. So they should go down. As I lose weight and gain muscle there.

Answer 1

There's an episode of Seinfeld on this very subject.

Answer 2

I to am a 38c, I'm married and when I started wearing a bra I kept it hidden, even from my wife. I bought them on ebay, and had them shipped to work. I would only wear it at work, when I was at the gym, or alone, basically only when she was not around. After having the support of the bra, I realized how much my breasts hurt when unsupported. After I became comfortable with wearing a bra it became easier to talk to her about it. I mean she new I had breasts, at a 38C it is impossible to hide them. She was very understanding and wondered why I would be afraid or ashamed to talk to her about it. As a 40C she knows how it feels to be 'unsupported'. Now I wear one everyday all day, and I feel great. I never realized how much pain I was in until it was gone. Now instead of always being tired and/or grumpy I spend more quality time with my family.

I beleive that your family will be just as accepting. I would first talk to the one that your are closest to. Just be very honest and sincere, let them know that they are not making the decision, but rather you are informing them of yours. Be firm, your are the one in pain and it would not be right for them to be down or you for something that is not your fault.

Here are a couple of groups you may find useful

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/gynecomastiaforum/

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/male-breasts/

Now for the bras. I wear ones with wide sholder straps, that way even if they do, it looks like a tank top. Another choice you have is to get a tank top with a built in shelf bra. Fruit of the loom makes serveral nice sports bras, they are all cotton so they are very comfortable, and light enough to wear in the summer.

Hope this helps!

Aaron

Answer 3

I would suggest that if you are worried about size and fit, go to your local Goodwill store, or a second hand clothing store, find the size you measure to, pay the two or three dollars and take it home to try it. As for the family, I would be forward and honest about it. How they respond will be out of your control, but as long as you are ok with it, and it helps you, it is your choice. You may want to consider wearing shirts that will not show the general public you are wearing a bra to avoid further embarrassment, and keep this idea in mind if you go to a public gym; the guys there may think you are up to "something".....

Answer 4

Well, you could simply talk to your mother about the problem. She would likely be more able to understand the difficulty, as well as make the purchase so you would be less likely to be embarassed. The other thing you might consider doing is going to see the doctor for his evaluation. The problem you are describing is called gynecomastia, and is when males have more breast tissue development than is ordinary. If you are a teenager, this may correct itself on it's own- if not, there are some options available to you to help fix things. While wearing a bra would be the most sensible, there are times, I'm sure, when you would like to go without a shirt, or would not care to have others realize you are wearing one. I'm glad you feel comfortable enough with your sense of self-image to even consider wearing a bra, so that might be a good solution for you. But if you would like to explore other options to help you, an appointment with your doctor would be a good place to start.

Edit- The choice of which brand is a totally individual decision based on not only your size but how much movement restriction you need/want. You would need to try different brands and designs to decide which better met your needs. Since you say the doctor attributed it to weight, you could help things along by doing the same exercises women do to beef up the supporting muscles of the chest. So far as surgical options, you do not have to have a mastectomy. There is also the option of liposuction to remove any excess fatty tissue. In the hands of a trained and reputable surgeon it is a safe procedure. It would not remove the problem entirely but it might reduce it enough to make things easier for you. Another option is to find a good gym with a sensitive staff that can help you with the exercises you need to do to develop the underlying muscles. You might even be able to use an elastic wrap, like used on sprained ankles, to hold yourself in while you work out. If anyone saw that, they would most likely assume you had broken ribs and needed the extra support. In fact, you could leave them with that impression, if they were just a casual stranger. If you decide to wear the sports bra, I'd suggest wearing a loose fitting shirt, with a sleeveless t-shirt, which will camoflage the straps of the bra itself. Unless you wear skin tight shirts, nobody will know or suspect what is underneath unless you tell them. In the gym, a loose sweatshirt, even without sleeves, would work as well. I'm afraid there isn't a real good solution to dealing with the less educated folks out there, except to treat them as the uneducated people they are and simply explain your reasons bluntly if needed. The fact is, development of the tissue happens, and you are doing what you can to deal with it. If they can't understand that much, then there is nothing else that you can say or do except look at them like the idiots they are and blow them off. You may also be able to have your mom arrange a trip to a lingerie shop and be professionally fitted for the one that will work best. The ladies that work in these shops are experienced and usually mature enough to be sensitive to your particular needs. You might be able to arrange an after hours fitting, or at least be taken out of the general public view. If you take your mom along, and are seen going in or out, most will just assume you got drug along by mom. In the meantime, keep hope and keep working on it. As you are young, they may reduce with time and exercise. And it sounds as if you have made a healthy adaption, so you should do fine in future.

Answer 5

well i don't think you need it. ask a doctor if the is normal. and see what he say's. you also might just have to lose weight in your chest area.

Answer 6

I think you should get a breast reduction. No guy should have massive breasts like that.

Answer 7

how did ur breast grow tht much...were u on hormones?? or is thr hormonal inbalance in ur body..as guys shouldn't have such huge size...neways don be shy...do wat makes u feel comfy...and explain ur family abt situation...am sure they will understand...atmost they will think of u as thr daughter or sister:D