If you are male and experiencing the excess development of benign breast tissue, you may have gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is largely due to hormonal imbalances and can affect the size of one or both breasts. Only recently did gynecomastia become a topic of widespread discussion among plastic surgery professionals. Part of this is because most men who suffer from enlarged breasts avoid discussing it, while many others are not aware they have even had it. However, with gynecomastia receiving more attention, gynecomastia has gone from being something to be embarrassed about to one that is being addressed head-on. There are even plastic surgeons that specialize in the treatment of enlarged male breasts.
With patient’s awareness and willingness to discuss this condition, surgeons are able to categorize the various causes of gynecomastia, diagnose them and recommend treatment plans for that specific type. Here is more you need to know about gynecomastia.
Causes of Gynecomastia
The causes of gynecomastia range drastically. For some it can be caused by hormonal changes during puberty, for others it could be a result of taking certain medications or drugs, and for some it’s genetic. Some good news: while more than half of healthy teenage boys experience some changes in their breasts during puberty, it’s usually the temporary side effects of hormones and will go away after a couple of years. However, in the case of some young men, the breasts naturally develop into a more feminine appearance; this may be due to their body naturally producing extra estrogen that causes their breast size to increase and appear rounded. There’s no concrete explanation as to why this happens, however, the problem is treatable with male breast reduction surgery among other treatments such as nutrition and hormone therapy.
Excess body fat in the breast tissue can also cause gynecomastia because excess fat causes the female hormone, estrogen, to increase in the blood, thereby promoting growth in the breast tissue. As is the case with excess weight, gynecomastia often can be resolved with a weight and exercise regime targeting loss of fat and build up of lean muscle.
The use of anabolic steroids also has gynecomastia as a side effect. Although men naturally produce small amounts of estrogen, the use of steroids can cause estrogen levels to rise, resulting in breast enlargement. Some medications, such as Avodart, Propecia, and other pro-hormones used to increase muscle mass have proven to create hormonal imbalances that result in increased breast enlargement. The ADHD medication, Risperdal, also has been linked to gynecomastia.
Treatment Options
In order for a physician to provide you with the correct treatment, they must first understand which type of gynecomastia you have. For example, hormonal therapy may be required for men that naturally produce excess estrogen. If there is excessive body fat your doctor likely will suggest weight loss before recommending surgery.
If you believe you have gynecomastia, you should talk to an experienced, skilled, caring plastic surgeon to receive an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Our experts at the MAXiM Breast Surgery offer trustworthy advice and have a wealth of experience performing breast surgeries. Call us today at (646) 475-2099 or fill out our simple online appointment request form to schedule a consultation and find out what we can do for you.
