TL;DR:
- What is gynecomastia? Male breast hypertrophy caused by glandular (hormonal), fatty (obesity-related), or mixed factors. Affects men of all ages, including children.
- Causes:
- Glandular: Hormonal imbalance (high estradiol vs. low testosterone), medications, pituitary disorders, adrenal tumors, thyroid issues, liver/kidney diseases, doping agents, puberty.
- Fatty: Obesity, excess fat deposition.
- Mixed: Combination of hormonal and obesity factors.
- Symptoms: Enlarged breasts, itching, pain, discomfort, nipple discoloration, or discharge.
- Diagnosis: Visual/physical exams, ultrasounds, and tests (TSH, LH, FSH, liver, and blood tests).
- Treatment:
- Address underlying causes (e.g., hormonal meds, organ treatment).
- Drug therapy (testosterone, anti-estrogens).
- Lifestyle changes for pseudo-gynecomastia (diet, exercise).
- Surgical options include gland removal, liposuction, or laser procedures.
Gynecomastia is a problem that can create a lot of complexes among men of all ages. Visible breasts in men are not the norm. So it is worth knowing what is caused by male breast hypertrophy and how to effectively get rid of this embarrassing ailment. Let's check out the available treatments for gynecomastia.
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is not just an aesthetic problem, but also a serious disease. It consists of hypertrophy of the mammary gland in men. While in women visible breasts are an asset, in men they can indicate a health problem. It is also worth being aware that overgrowth of the mammary glands affects men of all ages, including young men and even children. Moreover, there are several types of gynecomastia. These include:
- glandular form – true gynecomastia,
- Fatty form – pseudo-gynecomastia,
- mixed form.
The different types of male breast hypertrophy have different origins, which is the main factor determining their division.
Causes of the appearance of gynecomastia.
Glandular gynecomastia is caused by hormonal disorders. These are due to too much of the hormone estradiol, which is the equivalent of estrogen. Its amount is higher compared to testosterone. Such a disorder results in hypertrophy of the breast gland. In turn, abnormal hormone levels can be the result of taking certain medications, especially hormonal medications and those used to treat cancer, but also medications used to treat high blood pressure, stomach ulcers, or gastric problems. What's more, the cause of glandular gynecomastia can be the use of doping agents and infertility treatment. Recent studies have also shown that abnormalities of the pituitary gland, more specifically, its hypopituitarism, adrenal tumor and hypothyroidism, may underlie the appearance of this condition. It has also been shown that there is a correlation between the appearance of gynecomastia proper and cirrhosis of the liver and kidney disease. It is also worth mentioning that gynecomastia can appear in boys during puberty, for which hormones are also responsible. However, in most cases no treatment is necessary, and breast hypertrophy passes spontaneously. In contrast, in the case of pseudo-gynecomastia, the main cause of its occurrence is obesity. Excess body fat is also deposited in the nipples, causing them to look like female breasts. What's more, hypertrophy of connective tissue has an impact on this condition. This problem can appear on both breasts, as well as only one. In some cases, it can happen that in one person there is a hormonal problem and overweight. The causes of mixed gynecomastia are not clear. However, it is said that hormonal disorders that contribute to excess body fat and have a major impact on the appearance of hypertrophy of the mammary gland in men.
What symptoms can indicate gynecomastia?
The symptoms indicative of gynecomastia are quite obvious. They include, first of all, enlargement of male breasts. However, in addition to this, there may be an itching sensation, pain during even gentle touch, as well as discomfort. You may also notice a visible enlargement of only one breast and a slight pinking of the area around the nipples.
How is the diagnosis of male breast hypertrophy performed?
In addition to a visual assessment of the appearance of the breasts, a physical examination is also performed. It consists primarily in assessing the elasticity of the mammary gland. Moreover, the mobility of the mammary gland relative to the ground is also determined. An important part of the examination is to see if there is any discharge from the nipples when they are squeezed, which can indicate a prolactin tumor. Ultrasound is also used in the diagnosis to confirm whether there is hypertrophy of the glandular tissue. During ultrasound, the adrenal glands, kidneys and liver are also evaluated. The testes and thyroid gland should also be examined.
A comprehensive diagnosis of gynecomastia should include tests such as TSH levels, LH and FSH, liver tests, and blood count. Such tests give a complete picture of the patient's condition and allow us to determine the unequivocal cause of the appearance of gynecomastia. This makes it possible to select an appropriate treatment that will be effective.
Treatment of gynecomastia
The course of treatment of hypertrophy of the mammary gland in men can vary. It all depends on the age of the patient, the stage of progression and, above all, on the causes that triggered the condition. The main procedure in the treatment of gynecomastia is to treat the underlying cause of the problem. That is why examinations and a detailed interview with the patient are so important. This is because it may turn out that it is enough to change medications so that the breasts return to their correct appearance after some time. When the cause of overgrowth of the mammary gland is health problems with the kidneys, liver, or thyroid gland, then treatment begins with the treatment of the underlying disease. Appropriate management and selection of medications that support the proper functioning of these organs allow to deal with the visibility of breasts in men. If gynecomastia is not caused by medication or obesity, then drug treatment is usually applied. Its basis are substances that allow to balance the levels of the hormones testosterone and estradiol. Usually patients are given drugs containing testosterone, anti-estrogens and aromatase inhibitors.
In the case of pseudo-gynecomastia, treatment should begin with lifestyle changes. It is necessary to implement physical activity and a balanced diet. The next step is to get rid of accumulated fat to restore the desired appearance of the chest. Usually liposuction, or liposuction, is performed for this purpose. This method is used if there is little fat gain, as it does not involve reducing excess skin. You can also opt for aesthetic medicine procedures, such as laser lipolysis, which involves shaping the breast area using a light beam, and radiofrequency lipolysis. In addition, treatments using ultrasound and cryolipase are available. However, it is important to keep in mind that in the case of advanced adipose gynecomastia, treatment may not be without surgery to regain the former appearance. The treatment of gynecomastia glandular is only in the form of surgery, during which excess glandular tissue accumulated within the nipples is cut out. If there is mixed gynecomastia, the surgical operation is also supplemented with liposuction. A small incision is made within the nipple or subpectoral fold. As a result, the scar is hardly visible, and the final visual effect is very satisfactory. The operation to excise the hypertrophied glandular tissue takes about 1.5h and is performed under general anesthesia.
Modern medicine makes it possible to effectively fight gynecomastia in men, so it is worth undergoing treatment to get rid of the embarrassing problem.
Conclusion
Gynecomastia is more than a cosmetic issue; it signals potential health problems. Its causes range from hormonal imbalances to obesity and require personalized diagnosis and treatment. Whether through lifestyle changes, hormone therapy, or surgery, effective options exist to address this condition. Don’t ignore the signs—early diagnosis ensures the best results. Modern medicine provides solutions, restoring confidence and physical comfort. Seeking expert help is the first step toward overcoming male breast hypertrophy and improving your quality of life.
