What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is also known as excessive breast enlargement in men. In this condition, men develop feminine-like breast tissue due to an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone hormones in the body. It’s often diagnosed through a physical exam by a health care professional. This condition results from a hormone imbalance between estrogen and testosterone, leading to the abnormal growth of breast glands and fatty tissue. While not considered a serious health issue, gynecomastia can significantly affect an individual’s self-confidence and may cause pain in severe cases. It is more common in middle-aged and elderly men but can also occur in teenage boys, especially during puberty due to hormone changes. A study from Turkey reported that approximately 34.6% of adolescent boys were affected, indicating the prevalence of this condition during adolescence.
What Causes Male Breast Enlargement?
The causes of male breast enlargement are varied, including natural hormone changes, side effects of certain medications, and underlying health conditions that affect hormone levels. Even healthy males produce a small amount of estrogen, and an increase in this hormone can lead to the development of breast tissue. In addition to natural hormone changes during puberty, other factors such as hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism, tumors, kidney failure, liver failure, and cirrhosis can also contribute to gynecomastia. Substance use, including drugs and alcohol, may further exacerbate the condition.
Natural Hormone Changes
The most common trigger is shifts in hormone levels. Even healthy males produce a small amount of estrogen, and an increase in this hormone can lead to development of breast tissue. Newborn male babies often show signs due to maternal estrogen, which usually stabilizes within a few weeks.
Medication Side Affects
Certain drugs can induce breast tissue growth, including anabolic steroids, anti-androgen drugs for prostate issues, tricyclic antidepressants, some antibiotics and ulcer medications, antiretroviral drugs for AIDS, and heart medications.
Health Conditions
Diseases that affect hormone levels, such as hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism, tumors, kidney failure, liver failure, and cirrhosis, can also be culprits. Substance use, including drugs and alcohol, may contribute as well.
In addition to these, let’s say that the consumption of drugs and alcohol can also cause gynecomastia.
Symptoms of Gynecomastia
There are several types of gynecomastia symptoms. Those are swollen breast tissue, nipple discharge, uneven breast size, pain or tenderness, and a lump beneath the nipple. These symptoms can sometimes point to more serious health conditions; such as breast cancer, which is not exclusively a female disease. Therefore, it’s crucial for individuals experiencing these symptoms to seek immediate evaluation and diagnosis from a health care provider.
Gynecomastia Treatment
Treatment for gynecomastia varies depending on the underlying cause. Health care professionals may recommend stopping the use of certain drugs that contribute to breast enlargement or prescribing alternative medications. Treating these conditions can lead to an improvement in symptoms. This is especially the case if the condition is due to an underlying condition such as hypogonadism, malnutrition or cirrhosis. In cases where gynecomastia is diagnosed as being caused by a hormone imbalance, treatment may focus on addressing this imbalance. For teenagers, the approach to treatment may differ, as hormonal levels may stabilize on their own over time.
Gynecomastia Surgery in Turkey
People with this disease often ask ”How to get rid of gynecomastia?” Surgery is the most effective treatment method. We use liposuction, (fat removal) in surgical operations performed by specialist physicians. Excess fat tissue removed by liposuction does not grow again.
If you have more questions about gynecomastia (male breast enlargement), don’t forget to contact our medical consultants in Turkey via WhatsApp. If you wish, you can also wait for us to reach you by filling out the form on the side.