Gynecomastia is a condition in men that causes enlargement of breast tissue. This may spoil the overall shape of the body and make you look bad. The number of men seeking out gynecomastia surgery have continued to increase over the years.
During puberty, hormonal changes may lead to the growth of male breast tissue. In some cases, this breast tissue shrinks after puberty, but in many cases, the breasts remain enlarged. The prevalence of asymptomatic gynecomastia is up to 70% in men aged 50 to 69 years, 50% to 60% in adolescents, and 60% to 90% in children.
Common causes of gynecomastia include excess weight gain, puberty, use of anabolic steroids in bodybuilders and use of marijuana. There are many other medications that cause male breast enlargement.
Causes of gynecomastia
A number of factors can lead to gynecomastia. Gynecomastia can happen due to an imbalance between testosterone and estrogen sex hormones. Estrogen, a female hormone makes breast tissue grow whereas testosterone, the male hormone stops estrogen from making breast tissue grow.
Men and women have both testosterone and estrogen. The difference is that testosterone occurs in higher proportions in males and females have higher levels of estrogen.
According to the American Family Physician, 1 in 9 newborn males face palpable breast tissue. This is because they have derived high levels of estrogen from their mother. When the estrogen level returns to normal, the breast swelling goes away, usually within weeks.
Swollen breasts is more common among males of middle and older age. Older men produce less testosterone as compared to young men and they usually have more fat than younger men. This, too, can result in higher production of estrogen.
Risk factors may include:
- Kidney or liver disease
- Alcohol abuse
- Radiation treatment of the testicles
- Klinefelter's syndrome
- Tumors of the testes, adrenal or pituitary gland
- Hyperthyroidism and hormonally active tumors.
Around 10% to 20 % of cases are thought to stem from the use of medication or herbal products, and 25% occur for unknown reasons. Researchers have also suggested that a number of illegal drugs can also cause gynecomastia.
Some medications that possibly may cause the breasts in men to enlarge include:
- Anabolic steroids
- Some antibiotics
- Some ulcer medications
- Chemotherapy
- Tricyclic anti-depressants
- Diazepam (Valium) and some other drugs for treating anxiety
- Some HIV medications
- Some heart drugs (calcium channel blockers and digoxin)
- Anti-androgens, commonly prescribed for patients with cancer or prostate enlargement
How do you know if you have gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia usually occurs in both breasts, but some patients may have asymmetric breasts. When palpable masses are unilateral, hard, peripheral to the nipple and associated with nipple discharge, skin changes or enlarged lymph nodes, breast cancer should be suspected and thorough evaluation is recommended, including the performance of mammograms and MRI.
The doctor will ask about symptoms, medical and drug history of the patient and possibly if such cases have already occurred in the family history. The patient will have to go for a physical examination of the breast tissue, genitals, and abdomen areas.
If the cause for breast enlargement appears to be a hormone imbalance, the doctor will normally advise the patient that the condition is likely to resolve itself within a year.
If the lump is abnormally big, tender, hard, one-sided, and fixed or associated with nipple discharge, the doctor may order a biopsy, to rule out breast cancer. Also, a Blood test may be needed. Further tests will help in eliminating other possible causes, such as:
- A cyst
- An abscess or furuncle
- A benign tumor such as lipoma or hamartoma
- Mastitis, which is inflammation of breast tissue
- Hematoma, solid swelling of clotted blood
- Metastasis, cancer that has spread from elsewhere in the body
- Fat necrosis
Imaging tests may include:
- Mammogram or breast ultrasound
- Chest X-rays
- CT or MRI scan
- Ultrasound scan of the testicles.
Surgery to correct gynecomastia
When patients visit a plastic surgery clinic with a complaint of gynecomastia, they usually tell about the lumps in their breasts having less or more fat in the breasts. Plastic Surgery for men to remove the breast tissues usually involves male liposuction process where surgical removal of the excess glandular breast tissue is done through an incision in the margin of the nipple-areolar complex. Best Plastic surgeons perform a proper physical exam for patient’s breasts to confirm gynecomastia to rule out the suspicion for male breast cancer.
Before going for male breast surgery, one should stop medications that increase the risk of bleeding, get rid of smoking and increasing nutrition to support the healing and recovery process after this male breast reduction surgery. Most plastic surgeons in Chicago perform the operation under general anesthesia. Plastic surgeons use drains after gynecomastia plastic surgery to reduce the chance of fluid collections. Vests compression and icing are also done to control pain, reduce swelling and control bruising.
Recovery after surgery
In patients who only need male liposuction to correct enlarged breasts can return to exercise and work within a week. For patients who need surgical gynecomastia treatment for the removal of the excess breast tissue take between two to four weeks to heal and return to routine activities.
Gynecomastia surgery complications
In general, gynecomastia surgery is incredibly safe and has smooth recoveries. Common complications after gynecomastia treatment include bruising, bleeding, visible scarring, numbness of the nipples, inverted nipples, fluid collections, contour irregularities, loss of nipple skin, loose breast skin and asymmetries. Attention to meticulous surgical technique suggested by gynecomastia surgeons and pre -postoperative management is essential to get good outcomes.
If you also have gynecomastia and seeking gynecomastia treatment, Visit CI Plastic Surgery clinic in Chicago to discuss treatment options with our board-certified plastic surgeons.
We have top rated plastic surgeons with years of experience to handle all types of body contouring procedures who operate in various parts of the USA – Hoffman Estates, Oak Brook, Chicago, Orland Park etc.
