Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression that involves wearing clothing and accessories typically associated with the opposite sex—for example, a man who enjoys dressing in women’s clothing.
Transsexuality, on the other hand, involves identifying as the opposite sex and often includes a desire to transition physically. For instance, some trans women (individuals assigned male at birth who identify as female) undergo hormone therapy, breast augmentation, and sex reassignment surgery. These individuals often adopt a feminine identity in most areas of life, though they may not have female reproductive organs such as a uterus or ovaries, and thus do not experience menstruation or PMS.
While researching these topics, I came across an unusual trend that seems to fall somewhere between crossdressing and transsexuality: men who are choosing to get breast implants.
What struck me was the contrast—at a time when many women are opting to have their breast implants removed due to a growing “return to natural” movement and concerns over silicone-related health issues, some men are now choosing to get them.
There appear to be two main motivations behind this trend. The first is aesthetic: some men want a more muscular, defined chest and turn to pectoral implants to achieve that “gym body” look.
The second is more unconventional: men who simply want to have breasts—shaped like women’s breasts—not necessarily because they identify as female or want to transition. Many of these men don’t take hormones, don’t want to alter other masculine traits, and don’t intend to change their gender identity. They may identify as crossdressers, non-binary, or simply as men who enjoy having breasts. And yes, some of them are opting for breast implants.
Traditionally, many crossdressers and gender non-conforming individuals use breast forms or breastplates to simulate breasts. But these can be uncomfortable, feel artificial, and are easily removed. Some individuals grow tired of this and decide to undergo surgery to have their own breasts—real and permanent.
Of course, that permanence is a double-edged sword. Breast forms can be taken off at any time, while implants require surgery to remove—something many women who regret getting implants can attest to. For men, this permanence can create challenges in social and family settings, especially when presenting in a more traditionally masculine way.
There’s also the social reality: women are generally not attracted to men with breasts, and society doesn’t typically respond positively to this appearance. Some try to conceal them with loose clothing or other means.
With implants comes another necessity: a bra. Though some of these men already wore bras for comfort, style, or size testing before surgery, they’ll now need to wear one regularly to support their new breasts—especially if the implants are larger. For many, there’s joy in finally filling out a bra with something that’s truly part of them, rather than using external padding.
There are also practical concerns: implants add weight, which can lead to back pain or posture issues, much like with women. Plus, the freedom some men take for granted—like going shirtless in public—is often lost. Society may no longer view a man with breasts as someone who can casually go without a shirt.
Another barrier is that not all clinics are open to performing this type of surgery on men, as it remains relatively uncommon and may be seen as controversial.
As for me, I don’t think I’d go down that path. I’m not in the best shape, and I already have some chest fat that can be nicely shaped with a good underwire bra. It’s cheaper, more comfortable, and far less invasive than surgery. I guess I’m leaning into the “natural” trend myself.
That said, for those who genuinely desire to have their own breasts without the hassle of external forms, implants might be a satisfying and affirming choice.
– What do you think of this trend?
– Would you consider getting breast implants?
– How would you feel about having “real” breasts?
Sincerely,
Marie
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Hi girls, I am an intersex female and transitioned three years ago to living as the woman I was literally born as. I found out I am intersex two years ago, and the Doctor says she is pretty sure, based on comments in my medical records, that I have internal testes or ovaries. The DNA test results in my records reveal that my chromosomes are XXY and my hormones are high in estrogen. My body never responded strongly to male puberty but went the feminine direction, so I have wide hips and thighs, a big but cute butt, a/b cup… Read more »
Very interesting!
Wonderful and thoughtful article! As a small child, I remember seeing pictures of topless women in magazines and wanting to look like that. Summers at the public pool wishing that I looked like the girls. At home I tried tennis balls under my T-shirt for breasts then water balloons. But I came to live the life that others expected of me. Now my journey is a slow work in progress. I have taken some much researched herbal supplements and have small breasts. I am not ready to take any giant steps right now. Surgical implants would not be my first… Read more »
Thank you so much, Karyn!
@Marie Claire There are men who want breasts websites! A lot of men who want them. I wanted real breasts and got them! I have been on HRT for just over a year now and I am almost a 40C cup and have a few years to grow them. I always hated fake breasts on me and I refuse to get them in me! If I do anything it will be Fat Distribution. That can add up to about one cup and they will still be mine! Since i’m out, my family and friends see them now and I don’t… Read more »
Very good!
Thank you
Hi Brenda, what websites are you talking about? Definitely very interested…
@Marcie They won’t let me post links. So google men who want female breasts!
For someone not planning to appear full time (or at least a large majority of the time) as female, my initial reaction would be that it is weird. I would have to understand their rationale for getting implants if they were still going to appear as male.
For me, I would not consider it. Breast forms for me are perfectly fine.
I was surprised by this too!
@Marie Claire In 2022, there were approximately 42,640 male breast augmentation procedures performed worldwide, representing about 2% of all breast implant procedures, according to a blog post on torontoplasticsurgeon.com.
Although it is a proportionally small number, it is still significant!
For most of us, breast forms are one way of temporarily modifying our shape. Maybe our go-to way.
But don’t forget that there is another rarely discussed method – taping. I am slowly learning how. It is very effective and very convincing with low-cut tops. It’s not easy, though, so it is taking me a while to get it right.
@Harriette I can use my hands and cup my breasts to create cleavage. But when I try to tape it where my hands are, the flesh just sags back over the tape. I need to learn how to make a push-up bra from tape to keep its shape.
I did try another method once and it seemed to be successful. I used a darker-than-normal shade of makeup to draw a shadow to create the illusion of breasts.
Exactly. You understand it as I do. What I have seen demonstrated pushed the moobs together which creates the cleavage, but they also need lift. I am working on that. The last attempt ripped my skin in two places. Ouch!
The make-up is another story. Don’t get me started on that. What I have seen demonstrated may work from a distance in poor lighting, with practice.
Very interesting!
@Marie Claire – well, it’s the first I’ve heard of this as any kind of trend. I suspect it hasn’t gathered momentum to the point of reaching a critical mass. However, yes, some very feminine looking guys get breast implants to enhance their looks and can look terrifically feminine and attractive. Their call really. Not for me though. I work out a little to keep my pecs taught and weight down, I’m not keen on the man-boob look with accompanying pregnant paunch.
I understand you!
Hi Marie, I’m sorry, but I’m skeptical of this one. For a start, when you research it there’s a fair bit of ‘push’ from , would you believe, plastic surgeons advertising on the internet. Yes, (some) people like us dream of it, some even achieve it. I hated having moobs earlier in my life. If I’d have thought it possible, I might have even had surgery to minimise it. I realise now they weren’t much more than little bits of saggy flesh , but psychologically … (it’s the opposite now, LOL). So just maybe males ‘breast augmentation’ statistics are populated… Read more »
Very interesting!
@Emma_T I have done it
@manwithboobs
Hi Bennet,
And welcome to CDH, I hope you enjoy being here.
I can’t help but be curious. Is there a tale to tell there?
Emma x
I saw the article and it was me!! I am a male with Breast implants
I haven’t heard about men getting breast implants and I would not consider it myself given its rather permanent nature. But I did read once about saline injections, a “24 hour boob job" which is gone after a day. Not specifically targeted at men, but it sounds like a perfect solution for some of us, to try how it feels. It is something that has to be done by a professional, which obviously comes with a price tag. In a very quick search, the cheapest I could find (but a lot of them don’t advertise their pricing online) was 3500… Read more »
@Nora Lisa For a day? That sounds ridiculous. I could buy 5 high quality breast forms of different sizes for that price and they would last longer than a day.
@Alison Anderson it is ridiculous, but I guess we’re not their target market. Still it is different from breast forms, it would feel like part of your body.
Very interesting!
@noralisa
$3500 or more for a day of boobs?? I’d love to know who could afford that! Does the operation come with a free lobotomy? Sounds like a walletectomy is included no charge.
@noralisa
I’m a little late chiming in here, but I have read about saline infusions for “temporary boobs.” There are forums out there containing discussions topics about at-home DIY saline infusions for this purpose (thus avoiding the professional practitioners and $3500 cost). As you indicated, results are said to last for about 24 hours. I have seen photos showing spectacular results. It is said to be “relatively safe” if proper sterile practices are followed.
DISCLAIMER! I am not endorsing this, I’m just saying that it is indeed “a thing.”
@Giénne Cee even the idea to do this yourself terrifies me. 😩
I remember back in the 80’s a guy lost a bet and had to get implants and keep them for a year. He ended up on several talk shows about it, including The Arsinio Hall Show. He ended up being famous for it for a while