Gynecomastia is a condition in males that causes them to grow large female like breasts. It is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance either from medication, underlying health issues, puberty, or poor lifestyle habits. Gynecomastia can affect both men and teenage boys at any point in their lives. It can affect one breast or both breasts at a time.

Though not a serious condition, gynecomastia can cause embarrassment, lack of confidence, and sometimes physical pain when performing strenuous activities. These factors make it a difficult problem to deal with. Some men try to fix the issue with a diet or workout plan, but that does not always pan out the way they expect.

Gynecomastia generally subsides on its own in younger males once their hormones settle and in older males when the causing factor is removed. However, there are cases when it won’t go away on its own and a little extra help is required. The good news is the condition is treatable with with the help of a skilled plastic surgeon through a process known as male breast reduction.

Symptoms Of Gynecomastia

A clear indicator that you suffer from gynecomastia is having enlarged breasts that are swollen and tender. In some cases, males may also experience some pain and discharge from the nipples.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, you should contact a trusted doctor for a diagnosis. Gynecomastia is often mistakenly self-diagnosed, so seeking the help of a skilled medical professional will help you understand it more clearly.

Potential Causes of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is generally caused by a hormonal imbalance of estrogen and testosterone levels. There are certain conditions and medications that reduce the secretion or effects of the testosterone hormones as compared to estrogen, leading to gynecomastia.

You’re probably thinking, estrogen is a female hormone, not something that occurs in males. Well the truth is males do produce a small amount of estrogen, and when those levels of production exceed testosterone production, it gives way to the development of gynecomastia.

The condition is mostly prevalent in men in their 50s and 60s with 1 in 4 men suffering from gynecomastia. Teenage boys experiencing puberty might also experience gynecomastia, however, in their case, the condition may only last a few months to a couple of years.

Some medications that are known to increase your chances of experiencing gynecomastia are:

• Anti-androgens
• AIDS medication
• Anabolic steroids
• Anti-anxiety medications
• Antibiotics
• Heart medication and calcium channel blockers
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Ulcer medications
• Medications enabling gastric motility

How To Treat Gynecomastia

The best way to treat gynecomastia is to first remove the factors that may be causing it in your life. Your doctor can advise you on certain lifestyle changes you can make that could help. If you can, you should stop taking the medications responsible or find substitutes.

However, there is another solution. You can undergo a surgical procedure known as male breast reduction. This plastic surgery procedure is designed to eliminate the excess tissue responsible for the formation of the breasts and helps men reclaim their youthful appearance.

Contact Our Office

Gynecomastia can be a difficult and embarrassing condition to cope with for men. Hope lies in the fact that it is treatable, and you can look forward to living a healthy normal life with a male breast reduction treatment. Contact the Cosmetic Surgical Center to learn more about the surgery with Dr. Rai. He’s a doctor you can trust for your beautiful new look.