What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a common condition in men in which the breasts grow unevenly enlarged and overdeveloped than usual. This often occurs during the puberty stage where there are hormonal changes. This is also seen in newborn babies and men as they age.
What are the symptoms of gynecomastia?
Most adult men with gynecomastia report no symptoms. However, the common symptoms of the gynecomastia may include:
- Pain and swollen breast tissue
- Breast tenderness
- Fatty tissue beneath the nipple
- Nipple sensitivity with rubbing against clothes
When to see a doctor?
See your doctor if you have:
- Swelling
- Pain or tenderness
- Nipple discharge from the breasts
What are the Risk factors of gynecomastia?
Risk factors for gynecomastia include:
- Adolescence
- Older age
- Use of anabolic steroids to enhance athletic performance
- Certain health conditions (liver and kidney disease, thyroid disease, hormonally active tumors, and Klinefelter syndrome)
What are the causes of gynecomastia?
An imbalance between hormones (estrogen and androgen) typically causes gynecomastia. Men’s bodies usually produce lesser amounts of estrogen, the hormone that controls breast growth. If the body produces more amounts of estrogen, or you have low testosterone (hypogonadism), the breasts may enlarge.
Sometimes people with obesity develop enlarged breasts due to excess fatty tissue. This condition is known as pseudogynecomastia.
The health conditions that cause gynecomastia include:
- Adrenal tumors
- Alcohol consumption
- Kidney, thyroid, and liver disease
- Klinefelter syndrome (an inherited condition)
What is the diagnosis of gynecomastia?
Your doctor will assess symptoms, perform a physical exam, and review your medical and family history. To check the hormone levels your doctor might order a blood test.
To rule out the other causes your doctor may order tests such as:
- Breast ultrasound to view detailed images of breast growth.
- Mammogram to examine unusual growths or changes in breast tissue.
What are the complications of gynecomastia?
Men with gynecomastia have a slightly higher risk of breast cancer. You should see your doctor anytime you feel or notice abnormal breast changes.
What is the treatment for gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia usually resolves over time without treatment. However, if gynecomastia is caused by an underlying condition (hypogonadism, malnutrition, or cirrhosis) that underlying condition may need treatment.
Treatment with medication (Tamoxifen, Aromatase inhibitors) may be necessary if gynecomastia does not improve on its own or if it causes significant pain, tenderness, or embarrassment.
If enlarged breasts are significant and bothersome even after initial treatment or observation, your doctor may advise surgery.
- Liposuction: This type of surgery removes breast fat but not the breast gland tissue itself.
- Mastectomy: This type of surgery removes the breast gland tissue. The surgery is often performed using only small incisions. It is less invasive and involves less recovery time.
Gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) removes excess breast tissue. The procedure may include liposuction, excision (using larger incisions), or a combination of both procedures. This procedure is recommended to improve self-confidence, enhance their appearance, and reduce discomfort that can result from larger breasts.
Surgeons usually use only liposuction to remove breast tissue. A suction is inserted through the tiny incisions or cuts to remove the fat tissue.
If there is excess skin, fat, and tissue, your doctor may recommend excision. This technique uses larger incisions to remove breast tissue. Your provider can also reposition your nipple and areola during the excision procedure. The incision patterns, lengths, and locations depend on the size of your breasts and desired aesthetic look you want.
You may need a combination of excision and liposuction. Your surgeon will recommend the technique that is right for you. For both the techniques general anesthesia is administered through a vein in your arm. You will be asleep throughout the procedure, and you will not feel pain or discomfort during the procedure.
Recovery from gynecomastia surgery
What can I expect after gynecomastia surgery?
- During the first few days, you might feel little tenderness or soreness. The discomfort gets better within a week.
- You can resume back to normal routine after 2 weeks of the surgery
- While you are healing, follow your doctor’s instructions carefully
- Refrain from lifting or carrying anything heavy and reaching your arms above your head
The results will be evident after three to six months following surgery. It takes time for your breast tissue to heal and for swelling to decrease. However, the results are permanent.
What is the prevention for gynecomastia?
You cannot prevent the hormonal changes that cause gynecomastia. However, you can reduce your risk of breast enlargement by switching medications or seeking treatment for a substance use disorder.
- use drugs. Examples include anabolic steroids, amphetamines, heroin, and marijuana.
- Avoid alcohol. Do not drink alcohol. If you do drink, do so in moderation.
