For many years, men have suffered in silence with gynecomastia, which today is the most common breast problem in men, running at about 65%. But thanks to advances in surgical techniques and changing attitudes to cosmetic surgery, men can and are turning to clinics for male breast reduction procedures. However, not all men are suitable for the treatment. And surgery should never be your first port of call anyway.

So here are 5 tips to help you to cure your gynecomastia.

1. Proper Diagnosis

One of the first things you need to do is to find out if you have gynecomastia. There is often confusion between this and pseudo-gynecomastia, which is actually fat deposits which can be reduced with a good diet and the right kind of exercise.

One way to check this is to pinch the fat underneath the nipple. If it's hard, then it's may be genuine gynecomastia. But if it's soft and feels like fat anywhere else on the body, then you are probably dealing with pseudo-gynaecomastia, otherwise known as straight-forward fat. You would be advised to have a plastic cosmetic surgeon check you out to find out for sure.

2. Resistance Training

Resistance training is an effective way of reducing your man boobs. Resistance training increases the density of the muscles which is metabolically active tissue. The more muscle we have, the better the metabolic rate and the more efficient our bodies are at burning off excess fat. Man boobs are often caused by a hormonal imbalance. Resistance training increases testosterone, which burns fat and also helps to balance out the hormones in our bodies.

3. Cut the Alcohol

Alcohol can be a factor in man boob development. Because alcohol increases your levels of the female hormone oestrogen, not to mention the calorie loading, excessive alcohol consumption can lead to weight gain. Cutting down on your alcohol consumption should also help balance out the problematic hormones in your system.

4. Cut out the Drugs

Recreational use of drugs, especially the so called 'soft drugs' over a prolonged period time has been shown to have the unpleasant side effect of the development of man boobs in a lot of men.

5. Improve Your Diet

Eat more fruit and vegetables as alkaline foods have been shown to act as a natural hormone regulator. Look for protein rich foods as well because these will help you build up your muscle mass.

Use these steps as a way of reducing your moobs.

If none of this works for you, arrange a consultation with a cosmetic plastic surgeon who specialises in this area. When all else fails, male breast reduction surgery may be often be your only cure for gynecomastia.