Enlarged breasts can be a real nuisance for men, and frequently this feature is due to a treatable condition called gynecomastia. Colloquially known as man boobs, gynecomastia shouldn’t be permanent nor cause much concern for patients. Still, it can cause a good deal of stress among the male population.
Gynecomastia can develop during many stages: childhood, puberty, or even older ages. It may stem from hormonal changes or the side effects of medication and can happen to one or both breasts.
Gynecomastia doesn’t usually require treatment, yet it can drastically affect someone’s self-esteem and cause them to be self-conscious about their appearance.
How Does Gynecomastia Happen?
It results from natural changes in estrogen and testosterone. These hormonal changes are quite common, as around 70 percent of men develop gynecomastia during puberty. Some of the common symptoms are swollen breasts, discharge, and tenderness.
Here are some of the main reasons it may occur:
Andropause
Andropause can be compared to menopause for women. Male sex hormones diminish over the years during this period, which usually happens around middle age (the 40’s). Andropause may result in gynecomastia, balding, and difficulty sleeping.
Puberty
As touched upon above, puberty is another potential cause of gynecomastia. Men produce male sex hormones called androgens, yet they also produce estrogen. When entering puberty, they may produce more estrogen than androgen, resulting in puffy breasts. Most of the time, this condition is temporary.
Medication
Certain medications have the side effects of increased estrogen levels in the body, meaning a potential side effect of gynecomastia.
The Gynecomastia Diagnosis
If your breast tissue exceeds half a centimeter in diameter, then you may have gynecomastia. The doctor will also conduct blood exams to review your hormone levels and x-rays to see if there are any abnormal growths.
Treatment for Enlarged Male Breasts
Gynecomastia requires no treatment considering that it’s a temporary condition. Yet, if your gynecomastia stems from an underlying medical condition, directly addressing the problem may be necessary. Furthermore, some people may choose to have their male breasts reduced even if not medically needed.
Here are a few ways you can treat gynecomastia:
- Surgical procedure: With surgery, you’re able to have breast tissue removed. Liposuction techniques will be used to remove the undesired fatty deposits.
- Medication: Hormone altering medication is plausible for reversing your gynecomastia.
- Counseling: In the case that gynecomastia prevents you from participating in normal activities due to being self-conscious, you may speak to a counselor or a physician to cope with it.
The Bottom Line
Gynecomastia is a condition that can affect men of all ages. There are various ways to diagnose and treat it. Get in contact with your physician to see what’s best for you.