Some say that a man's confidence is inextricably tied to his sexuality - and there may only be one thing that will cause that confidence to plummet more than developing "male breasts".

Discussing this problem - or even acknowledging it - is a definite no-no as he, like the others who suffer from the same problem are so focused on hiding any evidence of the male boobs that it is difficult to find a forum to share the pain - unless anonymously online.

He wonders "Could this problem just be temporary in my case?" Deferring a decision for months and even years in hope that the problem will fix itself, he lives like the ostrich who buries his head in the sand at the sign of trouble.

Here's the first big step - it can't be avoided: Acknowledge that there's a problem. Life doesn't often hand us solutions on a platter, they have to be hunted down and grasped firmly with both hands. Acting on a decision to go out and find the solution will probably be easier than accepting that there is a problem that won't fix itself!

It's true that as many of us hate going to the doctor even for routine matters, it would be significantly more emotionally painful to disclose the problem of man breasts - God forbid display them.

To take your first step towards the results you want then, you need to tackle the demons of fear and embarrassment that will prevent you from ever reaching your goals.

The next step you should take is to find the kind of help you want that will fit with your values. What does that mean? Some men will be quite comfortable with surgical removal of their man boobs. Others, however, may insist on finding a more natural solution where they are willing to work with a fitness expert who can help them.

Though seemingly poles apart, male breast reduction surgery and the other more natural solutions all have their proponents. You will need to factor the price and pain of surgery as opposed to the potentially longer time and rigour that is involved in more natural solutions. Whatever choice you make, remember that you no longer have to be permanently afflicted with "male breasts" or "man boobs". Whatever you choose to call them, you will hopefully be able to call them gone.