subject: Things To Know About Gynecomastia [print this page] Gynecomastia is relatively commonGynecomastia is relatively common. It is the development of abnormally large breasts in neonatal, adolescent, adult, or elderly men. Mammary gland enlargement can be caused by a variety of normal physiological events or may be a result of estrogen-testosterone hormonal imbalance. Breast enlargement usually results from a combination of overgrowth of breast tissue, chest adipose tissue, and skin. There are many different types of gynecomastia, including puffy nipples, which is the most common and adolescent, which is often transitory. Other types include pseudogynecomastia that accompanies obesity, asymmetric, pure glandular, adult, and severe. Each type is characterized by different causes. Treatment is usually directed at the underlying disorder.
While gynecomastia is not physically harmful or unhealthy, the presence of abnormally large breasts can cause some men a lot of social and psychological problems. Often, it can be an indicator of an underlying problem such as hormonal imbalance or medication side effect. The growing glandular tissue may be tender or painful and the mammary gland enlargement may be temporary or permanent. It is important to note that this condition is extremely common and relatively treatable.
Men and boys that are overweight may have excess fat on their chest that look like large breasts. Often this type of gynecomastia will go away with diet and exercise. If fat pockets are resistant to diet or exercise,these men may be candidates for skin sculpture surgery. Male neonatal infants usually get slightly enlarged breasts due to the estrogen in mother's milk. This type usually regresses in a few weeks. Breast tissue often increases in association with advanced age and declining levels of testosterone.
Some men with this problem may be candidates for treatment. Options include medication alternatives, estrogen receptor modulators, liposcution, gland excision, skin sculpture, reduction mammoplasty or compression garments. Radiation therapy is often used to prevent such condition in patients receiving estrogen therapy for prostate cancer. It is important for patients to discuss with their doctors about revising any medications that may be causing gynecomastia. There are often alternative drugs that can have the same therapeutic effect without this unwanted side effect.
Good candidates for liposuction or surgery are men that are healthy, normal weight, have realistic expectations, and stabilized breast development. It is also important to have firm, elastic skin that will readily reshape to the body's new contours. Teens may be good candidates for surgery if gynecomastia is severe or has been present for more than two years. Continued breast development often necessitates further surgery as the teen gets older.
