Gynecomastia: What Is It And What Can Be Done?

Gynecomastia is the abnormal development of large mammary glands in males resulting in the appearance of enlarged breasts. There can be many causes of this abnormal breast development, primarily the cause is hormonal and mostly appears during puberty. The hormonal cause is most due to an imbalance of estrogen (female hormones) and androgens (male hormones. The prevalence of estrogen stimulates growth of breast tissue. In most cases during this period the effects will disappear within a few months. This often occurs in both breasts although it may appear unevenly. In some cases it can cause physical discomfort along with the unfortunate emotional side effects from the distress caused by this disorder. It is most often unrelated to other diseases although testing for hormone levels and to rule out kidney or liver disorders is done to rule out other health issues. Mammograms are performed to ensure the enlarged breast tissue is healthy.

It is important to rule out pseudogynecomastia in which fat deposits in the chest area of overweight or obese men, the true form of the disease is true expansion of breast tissue. In these cases weight loss regimes should be employed. Certain liver and kidney disorders such as cirrhosis may be a primary cause. Other causes of gynecomastia can include but are not limited to, aging, chemotherapy treatments for cancer, anabolic steroid use, testosterone deficiency or as a side effect of some hormonal therapies. In cases which result in tenderness or discomfort it is most often treatable with simple analgesics or application of cold compresses to relieve tenderness. In cases of gynecomastia being a result or side-effect of drug use, as it is in some cases with Marijuana desisting with the recreational use of the drug will help to prevent any further enlargement of the breast tissue.

In extreme and persistent cases gynecomastia can be treated with breast reduction surgery, this is often an extreme course of action. In cases caused by hormonal imbalances a course of hormone therapy that blocks the effects of an overproduction of estrogen can be employed. This type of treatment is normally unnecessary.

While the physical discomfort is normally minimal the emotional discomfort can be intense, particularly in cases that occur during puberty, at this time while young men can feel particularly vulnerable a disorder that creates a physical deformity or visible difference can have a great effect on the confidence of the sufferer. Gynecomastia in boys of this age can lead to unfortunate instances of bullying and the sufferer becoming ostracized from their peer group. As it is a relatively unknown condition, public understanding of this disorder is not widespread. Most cases while relatively common do not become that extreme or persist for a long period of time and will cause little discomfort or distress to the sufferer.