Gynecomastia: Know The Causes And Cures

Gynecomastia refers to the abnormal enlargement of mammary glands in males giving them female-like breasts. This condition is typically not physically painful but is difficult to live with for most males. Those with this condition often suffer psychological anxiety and social stress because they feel that their condition makes them physically unacceptable in society.

Prominent breast tissue in males may also be a sign of a more significant underlying health problem. Whatever the cause, most men are eager to find cures for this condition. So what are the causes and cures?

Abnormally enlarged breast tissue in males is usually attributed to an imbalance of sex hormones but in reality the underlying cause is generally unknown. What is known is that the condition often presents itself during puberty and old age. For the most part, when it occurs during puberty, males often grow out of this phase and the mammary glands seems to shrink to a more normal and acceptable size.

Many men with irregularly large mammary glands are obese but not all cases occur in overweight subjects, therefore, only a correlation can be made between gynecomastia and obesity. Physicians have discovered that many cases of gynecomastia have been triggered by the use of certain medications such as risperdal which is used to treat schizophrenia and bipolar disorders and spironolactone which is used primarily to treat heart failure.

There are many treatment options for men who live with abnormally prominent breasts. The only true cure of gynecomastia would be to diagnose and treat the underlying condition. By doing so, the breast enlargement which occurred as a side effect, will most likely be reduced or eliminated.

For example, if it is determined that it is a result of obesity in one patient, weight loss would be the solution. Or similarly, if the growth of the mammary glands came as a side effect of a medication, use an alternate medication. Even if the primary cause of the breast growth is unknown, there are many treatment options. Hormone treatments to balance sex hormones can be effective in the beginning stages of gynecomastia before the breast tissue hardens. There are always surgical options as well.

Surgery options might include liposuction, reduction mammoplasty, and gland excision or a combination of any of these. A patient should consult with a qualified and experienced plastic surgeon to discuss these surgical options. It is also important to note that most insurance companies do not cover these plastic surgery procedures claiming that they are purely cosmetic.

If a surgery or cure cannot be obtained, men do successfully live in society by using compression garments designed to hide overly prominent breasts in men.