Gynecomastia presents a particular and unique problem for bodybuilders.

First of all, the activity of bodybuilding is, by its nature, very appearance-oriented. Furthermore, within this focus on appearance, there is a microscopic attention to detail, whether it be proportionate comparative mass between muscle groups, striation and tone of muscles, or visible separation of muscle groups.

This attention to detail (and requirement for detail) can make even a minor case of gynecomastia noticeable among a bodybuilder’s peers and doubly so to the bodybuilder’s own trained and critical eye. Even minor breast gland development can obscure all lower pectoral definition and go a long way to negating the efforts, time, pain and study that have gone into developing the physique in question.

Furthermore, bodybuilders who use hormone manipulation subject themselves far more greatly to the risk of developing gynecomastia. Steroids and various other chemicals to facilitate training are abundant in the bodybuilding communities. Unfortunately, however, most bodybuilders are not also professors in body chemistry. A little bit of knowledge can be a dangerous thing, and a little bit of knowledge often results in a manipulation of body chemistry that leads first to muscle gains, then to gynecomastia.

The intricacies and subtleties of estrogen balance and androgen aromatization are too often learned after the fact in a desperate battle to undo gynecomastia that could probably have been prevented with either:

(1) extensive research on supplemental androgens, their mechanisms, consequences and dealing with swings in the androgen-estrogen balance, or
(2) abstinence from steroids, which does not mean that an excellent physique can not be achieved.

Bodybuilders tend to spend a great deal of time learning the proper form and technique to trigger various muscle groups, which requires a great deal of study. Muscle gains from exercise can come and go, and they can be rebuilt after a layoff. Gynecomastia will not come and go on its own. It will only come and stay. So it is incumbent upon you to research body chemistry and the effects and pathways of hormones at least as fanatically as you studied exercise if you intend to turn toward steroids to enhance your physical gains. And do that research beforehand.

Gynecomastia is one instance where an ounce of prevention is worth about a ton of cure.