Gynecomastia is a condition in which the breast gland tissue increases in men and boys. The condition is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance, but may occur because of certain medications and other conditions as well. Gynecomastia may affect one or both breasts. It may cause uneven growth in the breasts. The condition is usually not serious. Moreover, it can be a difficult thing to cope with.
Men feel embarrassed when they have to deal with large breasts. In some cases, gynecomastia may cause pain in the breasts. Graham Plastic Surgery, led by the capable board certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Graham, provides male breast reduction surgery to patients in Rochester, NY, and surrounding locations.
Key Causes of Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is generally a noncancerous condition which is thought to be linked to hormonal changes and imbalances. The cause is unknown in most cases, which makes treatment difficult. These are a few common causes of the condition:
Hormonal Changes
Gynecomastia is often linked to low testosterone and high estrogen levels. Testosterone and estrogen control sexual characteristics in men and women. Testosterone is responsible for male traits, such as body hair and muscle mass while estrogen promotes the growth of breasts.
Pertaining to this, this doesn’t mean that estrogen is a purely female hormone. All men have estrogen in low quantities. If this is not combated by high levels of testosterone, an imbalance occurs, which can result in gynecomastia.
Medications
Another common cause of gynecomastia is that it may occur as a side effect to certain medications. This includes antibiotics, antidepressants, ulcer medicines, cardiovascular medicines, and prostate cancer medicines. Cannabis, heroin, and anabolic steroids have also been linked to an increase in male breasts.
Medical Conditions
There are certain diseases and conditions that may cause gynecomastia. These are:
- Lung cancer
- Liver diseases
- Kidney diseases
- Tumors of pituitary gland and adrenal gland
- Testicular cancer
- Injury or trauma
- Thyroid disorders
- Obesity
Gynecomastia Treatment
It’s critical to understand that gynecomastia is benign and not linked to breast cancer. However, there can be an element of embarrassment associated with the condition, which makes it necessary to seek treatment. Some cases of gynecomastia tend to get better over time without any treatment. Stemming from this, in most cases, you may need to undergo gynecomastia surgery to restore a natural looking breast appearance.
In some cases, you might be referred to an endocrinologist by your primary care physician when diagnosed with gynecomastia. The endocrinologist will assess your hormone levels and how they affect your body. The treatment chosen will depend on your age, overall health, subsidiary conditions, response to drugs, and duration of the condition.
Gynecomastia during puberty is usually temporary and may go away on its own. The condition can take a few months to a few years to resolve on its own. You should get treated for any underlying condition that may be causing the hormones to become out of balance. Your treatment provider will give you medications for addressing any hormone imbalance that is making the breasts increase in size.
Nowadays, male breast reduction surgery through excision or through liposuction (depending on the natural of the breast tissue) is consider the most reliable way to restore natural male chest appearance with permanent results. Reliable cosmetic surgeon Dr. David Graham receives patients from Rochester, NY, and nearby areas for gynecomastia surgery.
Contact Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, David Graham, MD, in Rochester, New York
To learn more about the plastic surgery treatments and procedures performed by Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, David Graham, MD please contact us.
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Dr. Graham receives patients from Rochester, Victor, Fairport, Pittsford, Brighton, Irondequoit, Henrietta, Syracuse, Buffalo, New York and surrounding areas.
