Gynecomastia surgery is a much sought-after surgery today. Why? cause there are more and more people who are suffering from man boobs and are trying to do something about it. Yes, they are fed up of wearing hideous clothes to hide part of their bodies that they are not proud of. They are also fed up of the fact that society has unkind and hurtful things to say about their bodies. And that’s harsh, as sometimes they do not have control over the same. So, is male breast reduction surgery the only option? And if so should one really opt for surgery? The third and one of the most important question is, do man boobs or gynecomastia pose a threat to your health? We will discuss just that, here in this article.
The Impact of Gynecomastia – Is it a Threat to Your Health?
Gynecomastia, also known as a condition with men having man boobs, is nothing but the enlargement of male breast tissue and can affect males of any age or weight. Sometimes obese men look as if they are suffering from a condition known as man-boobs as they have excessive fat tissue all over their bodies, especially around their chest, but this always cannot be labeled as gynecomastia.
It is very common for boys going through puberty to suffer from this problem. In fact, more than half of all normal adolescent males suffer from this problem but their problems get resolved on their own. It is less rampant in older adults but more than two-thirds of men suffer from this common problem, enlargement of the male tissue.
Do you have any idea what is the main cause of gynecomastia? All men have a balance of male sex hormone, testosterone and female hormone estrogen. There is a balance of both, more of testosterone and less of estrogen. This controls the breast tissue growth. Things change when there is an imbalance in testosterone and estrogen levels and the estrogen levels rise sharply. This makes breast tissue to grow. It is said that almost sixty to ninety percent of newborn male babies are born with enlarged breast tissue as the estrogen from the mother gets transferred to the baby during pregnancy. But the high levels of estrogen disappear after birth and this state of gynecomastia is only temporary.
The natural hormonal changes, notwithstanding, the natural hormonal changes happen during puberty and also when the person starts getting older. Apart from this, gynecomastia also results because of genetic problems and affect people who are suffering from problems such as kidney and liver disorders, or they are on certain drugs. Men dependent on anabolic steroids to boost their sporting performance or to help build muscles may often suffer from gynecomastia. There are rare instances, where gynecomastia results from tumors of the testes and the adrenal glands, as they secrete estrogen. Also, the use of cosmetics with its share of xenoestrogens can disrupt the natural hormonal balance. Environmental pollution also plays a role in causing gynecomastia.
Klinefelter’s syndrome is another cause that affects one in every 650 males and is one of the chief cause of gynecomastia. Men suffering from Klinefelter’s syndrome have an additional X- chromosome and do not produce adequate testosterone for the body for it to function optimally. Even male and physical and reproductive development can get affected. Men suffering from Klinefelter’s usually have small testes, are infertile and finally end up with gynecomastia.
Men suffering from Klinefelter’s syndrome have an imbalance in their estrogen-to-testosterone ratio as they have very low testosterone levels. The only way to correct it is by trying out the testosterone replacement therapy which increases the testosterone in the body as it corrects the imbalance in hormones. The severity of gynecomastia can be reduced, but if it still causes a problem then it may be corrected with a surgical intervention.
Gynecomastia Condition – The Treatment Options to Consider
So, is gynecomastia you are suffering from? Or is it something else? A doctor can very well, diagnose it and for that, he has to examine the enlarged breast tissue to find out whether it is gynecomastia or just excess fat. If it is gynecomastia, it will seem rubbery or firm mound of tissue like the same shape as the nipple. Once it is confirmed that the person is suffering from gynecomastia, the doctor will review all the medications and find out whether it is the medication that is causing the condition.
Whether you need further treatment or not, well it all depends on your specific condition. If you are suffering from a history of rapidly enlarging and/or tender breasts and also experience swelling in the area, then you should start testing of sex hormone levels and also a blood marker test to screen for testicular cancer. If you notice any irregularities or lumps in your breasts, you should get yourself screened with a mammography and/or breast ultrasound. If a specific diagnosis cannot be reached, then a biopsy of the lesion is carried out to rule out cancer. Men who suffer from gynecomastia, in fact, run the risk of breast cancer as they suffer from estrogen dominance, which is said to cause several types of cancers. So, are there any treatment options for gynecomastia? Yes, there is and the treatment is customized to your needs or to your specific condition.
You may also have to wait-it-out as doctors keep you under the scanner to find out whether the condition persists or goes away on its own. For example, if the condition results from a drug overdose, the enlarged breast tissue will go back to normal once you stop the medication. If you are looking for a permanent solution and you are looking at combating the condition, then a gynecomastia surgery is possibly the best solution, especially when there are little to no results from drugs.
Suffering from a condition like gynecomastia can affect you in a number of ways. You may suffer from low self-esteem issues, so a permanent solution like gynecomastia can help you get rid of the condition once and for all and gain back your self-confidence. (See also: How to Overcome Gynecomastia with Male Breast Reduction Surgery)
About The Author:
Anne Kamwila is a freelance content writer and a digital marketer. She is passionate to write about health, technology, and business related guides, news, and books.