A recent article, “Understanding Gynecomastia: Shedding Light on a Common Condition Among Men”, breaks it down into symptoms, causes, and solutions. You may have never heard of it, yet 30-50% of men suffer from it at some point. In short, Gynecomastia is “man=boobs,” which can cause not only discomfort but also embarrassment
De-Mystifying Gynecomastia
Hormonal shifts in the male body cause it, but there are several solutions, from temporary to permanent.
The most common stages of gynecomastia are infancy, puberty, and old age. As a result of hormonal imbalances passed down from the mother during pregnancy, gynecomastia may develop in infants. In young boys, hormonal changes can cause temporary breast enlargement during puberty. In older adults, gynecomastia may result from age-related hormone fluctuations or health conditions.
While it may seem counterintuitive for men to have enlarged breasts, this condition is quite common. The Greek words “gyne,” meaning woman, and “mastos,” meaning breast, come together to form gynecomastia. At some point in their lives, up to 70% of teenage boys and 50% of adult men suffer from this condition.
A hormonal imbalance is responsible for gynecomastia. Both men and women produce male and female hormones but in different amounts. Gynecomastia occurs when testosterone (male hormone) and estrogen (female hormone) levels are imbalanced. During puberty, when hormone levels fluctuate, this can cause temporary breast enlargement that usually resolves by itself after about one or two years.
In addition, gynecomastia can also develop later in life as a result of aging, certain medications (including steroids), alcohol abuse, liver or kidney disease, thyroid disorders, or being overweight. Symptoms of these conditions include an increase in estrogen production or a reduction in testosterone levels, which can increase breast tissue growth.
There are several treatment options including:
- Observation and Lifestyle Changes
- Medications
- Surgery
- Compression Garments
- Therapy
To read a more in-depth explanation of the symptoms, causes, and solutions, read the full article here.
For surgical assistance in treating the condition, the leading Male Plastic Surgery clinics can be found in Los Angeles, New York, and Chicago.
