subject: Gynecomastia Causes and Treatments [print this page] Gynecomastia Causes and Treatments
Gynecomastia may not be a word you are familiar with, but you have likely heard the slang term used - man boobs. Gynecomastia is the medical term for the swelling of breast tissue that can occur in some males, giving the appearance of breasts. This condition can affect newborn males, boys going through puberty and older men as well. The condition typically occurs as a result of hormonal imbalances, where testosterone levels decrease in men and estrogen levels rise. There are several different factors that can cause this imbalance such as normal hormonal changes, medications and other health disorders. Although estrogen is considered a female hormone, males do have a small amount in their bodies.
While the development of Gynecomastia does not itself pose a health risk, the psychological distress this condition can cause the individual can become a considerable problem. The reason Gynecomastia is so little understood by most is because men simply don't like to talk about it. They fear stigmatization and becoming the subject of derision, and unfortunately for many younger boys, this can often be a reality. Not only that, Gynecomastia can deter males from participating in certain activities where they may have to remove their shirt, such as swimming or certain sports. They may avoid standing up in front of people and wear baggy clothes in an effort to disguise their appearance. Some men develop a shoulders forward posture while walking and often cross their arms over their chest in public to avoid embarrassment.
Gynecomastia is often a transient condition. Studies have shown that approximately three fourths of boys have some breast development, it usually resolves after 1 year in one third of cases and within 3 years in 93% of cases. Persistent Gynecomastia in a male older than age 17 is unlikely to subside. For these individuals, surgical intervention may be an appropriate solution. Unfortunately, because most men do not like to talk about the subject, they may not be aware that there is a treatment for this condition. In approximately half of all cases, all of the excess tissue can be removed by lipoplasty and in other cases a combination of lipoplasty and direct incision are required to achieve a smooth, even contour. To learn more about treatment options forGynecomastia, talk with one of our plastic surgeons atPersonique Cosmetic Surgery Center.
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