Gynecomastia 101

Gynecomastia is a common problem that can affect men at a variety of stages of life. This problem can be embarrassing and detract from a masculine appearance. Keep reading to learn more about gynecomastia and find out how it can be treated.

What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition that refers to the enlargement of male breast tissue. This can leave men with larger, feminine looking breasts. These breasts can cause embarrassment and in some cases even result in back or neck strain.

What causes gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is primarily caused by hormonal chances and an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen. Both men and women normally have testosterone and estrogen, but they don’t have the same amount of these hormones. Estrogen contributes to the development of female traits, such as breasts, so if a man’s hormones become imbalanced, estrogen may lead to enlargement of the breast tissue. In many cases, gynecomastia occurs in infants, young males undergoing puberty, and between the ages of 50 and 80 when the body goes through more hormone changes.

Gynecomastia can also be brought on by ingesting controlled substances, taking certain medications, and underlying medical conditions.

What are your treatment options?
Gynecomastia often resolves itself within a year or two as hormone levels return to normal—this is particularly true of young males going through puberty.

If gynecomastia doesn’t go away over time, men often consider male breast reduction in order to reclaim a masculine appearance.

In this case, there are usually two options depending on the specific condition. If the excess size is primarily due to extra fat in the breast tissue, the breasts can be reduced through liposuction. If, however, gynecomastia is due to excess glandular tissue, a more involved procedure is necessary. During the surgery, strategic incisions are made so that excess fat and glandular tissue can be removed in order to create a more masculine chest. In some cases, the size of the nipple is also reduced during this procedure. Some occasions involve both liposuction and surgical removal of glandular tissue.

If you’d like to learn more about male breast reduction or other cosmetic procedures that can improve your appearance, schedule a consultation with Dr. Alan Serure.