Table of Contents
Gynecomastia is a common concern among men. According to a recent NIH survey, roughly 65 percent of men between the ages of 27 and 92 have some degree of gynecomastia in their chest. cDespite its prevalence, people are typically hesitant and self-conscious about discussing this condition openly. As a result, it causes a lot of uncertainty and doubt in minds of people. Fear and taboo accompany a lack of information, both of which must be addressed. Continue reading to learn more about Gynecomastia and its most prevalent causes of gynecomastia, as well as how you can reduce your risk of developing it in the near future by adopting substantial lifestyle changes.
Also Read: Gynecomastia Patient Reviews
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition affecting males. It is commonly referred to as “man breasts” or “man boobs.” It is a condition that increases the amount of breast gland tissues in the chest area of men. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts at the same time or sometimes unevenly.
Here, the man breasts swell and become larger than normal that seem female-like. Although both males and females have breast glands, they are not visible in males unless they’re dealing with any condition like Enlarged male breasts. Gynecomastia can be noticed in males of all ages; however, it usually occurs during the newborn period, puberty, and older adulthood.
There are two common types of Gynecomastia that are usually noticed in males: Pseudo Gynecomastia and True Gynecomastia. Both these types are confused with each other. True gynecomastia is the overdevelopment of breast tissues, whereas pseudo gynecomastia is the result of excess fat deposits in the chest area.
Common Causes of Gynecomastia
There are a variety of reasons why this condition can affect and raise the risk of Gynecomastia in men. It’s mainly caused by an increase in the ratio of feminine hormones like estrogen to male hormones like testosterone, which causes a hormonal imbalance in the body.
Although both males and females have breast glands, these are usually more noticeable in men when there is an increase in estrogen level in the body which causes breast tissues to overdevelop.
Being extremely overweight is a common cause of gynecomastia, as being overweight can cause estrogen levels to rise, causing breast tissue to expand. If you’re overweight, you’re more likely to have excess fat in your breasts, which might cause them to grow. Losing weight or increasing exercise may assist some people, but it may not always improve their health.
Because oestrogen passes from the mother to the infant through the placenta, gynecomastia can affect newborn male babies. This is only temporary and will go away after the baby is born.
Boys’ hormone levels fluctuate during puberty. Oestrogen can induce breast tissue to develop if testosterone levels drop. Many teenage boys develop breast growth to some degree. As males get older and their hormone levels become more steady, gynaecomastia normally goes away.
Men create less testosterone as they age. Older men also have higher body fat, which can lead to an increase in oestrogen production. Excessive breast tissue growth can result from these hormonal changes.
Other uncommon causes of gynecomastia are:
- 1. Medicine side effects: such as anti-ulcer medicines or heart disease medications
- 2. Illegal drugs: Cannabis and anabolic steroids are examples of prohibited drugs.
- 3. Alcohol abuse can lead to a variety of health problems, including renal failure and liver damage.
- 4. Klinefelter syndrome is a condition that affects people (a rare genetic disorder)
- 5. Infection or tumors in the testicles
Symptoms of Gynecomastia
Swelling and pain in the breast gland tissue of one or both breasts are common symptoms. It may begin as a lump or fatty tissue around the nipples of a person. The lumps will most likely form unevenly.
People should see a doctor if they have unusual and persistent swelling, discomfort, nipple discharge, or a combination of these symptoms.
Diagnosing Gynecomastia
Your doctor will assess your symptoms, perform a physical exam, and go through your medical and family history with you.
A blood test to check into your hormonal levels may also be recommended.
Because breast lumps in the chest area can be caused by both Gynecomastia and breast cancer, your doctor may instruct:
- 1. To see detailed photos of breast growths, using a breast ultrasound.
- 2. Using a mammogram to look for abnormal growths or alterations in the breast tissue.
Treatment of Gynecomastia
Although this condition can go away on its own to see effective results a person must bring significant changes to their lifestyle like regular exercising, healthy diet intake, following a workout routine, taking proper medications, avoiding drugs and alcohol, maintaining a healthy weight, balancing your hormonal fluctuations through medications and diet, etc.
However, to see long-lasting results if not permanent results a health care expert might recommend you get surgical treatment for Gynecomastia. There are two most common types of surgery methods used- Liposuction and Mastectomy.
It is important to learn about the causes of conditions like Gynecomastia in order to prevent it in the early stages and to avoid any future complications involved with it.
Also Read: Gynecomastia Treatment in Hyderabad