An enlarged chest can make men feel less. With roughly 65% of men between the ages of 27 and 92 years experiencing some degree of gynecomastia, it is important to address the condition without prejudice and stigmatization. If your condition mines your confidence, you should know that there are solutions that can give you your looks—and self-esteem—back.
Defining Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is an increase in the amount of breast gland tissue in boys or men caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. It can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly. Males mostly produce a hormone called testosterone, which guides their body changes during puberty. They also naturally produce some estrogen, the hormone that steers sexual and reproductive growth in women. When the levels of these two change in men and more estrogen than testosterone is produced, breast tissue can swell.
Fortunately, this condition does not present a threat to the individual’s health; however, it can have deep psychological impacts as it undermines the patients’ self-esteem.
Hormone imbalances can be genetic or the result of an imbalance to medications, drugs, behaviors, or medical conditions such as:
- Alcoholism
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid disease
- Liver disease
- Anabolic steroid use
- Amphetamines
- Opioids
- Human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) for male infertility
Gynecomastia symptoms can include:
- Pain, especially in teenagers.
- Swollen breast tissue.
- Tender breasts.
- Sensitive nipples when they rub against clothes.
If the gynecomastia has been present for more than six months, regression is unlikely because of the presence of less reversible fibrotic tissues. It is important to remember that most cases of gynecomastia in teenagers may resolve spontaneously within one to two years, with around 20% of patients experiencing residual gynecomastia at the age of 20.
It is important to remember that having enlarged breasts doesn’t always mean that you need to lose weight.
Ways to Address Gynecomastia
If you have been dealing with gynecomastia and are toying with the idea of doing something about it, the Women’s Health Institute offers different approaches.
Conservative Care
- Sometimes, identifying and correcting the hormone imbalance by adjusting medication or treating an underlying medical condition can reduce your gynecomastia. Always consult with your doctor and follow their instructions.
- In other cases, minimally invasive procedures can help. For example, BodyTite™ body contouring technology, found at Women’s Health Institute, can liquefy the extra fat using radiofrequency while it tightens the skin. One of the advantages of BodyTite is that it is non-surgical, therefore scarring is minimal and recovery is prompt
Surgery
Another way to reduce enlarged breasts in men is to perform liposuction. The procedure is designed to sculpt and shape the body by removing the extra fat. Highly effective, this option is the go-to option when conservative care fails to make effect and the condition does not go away on its own.
At Women’s Health Institute, our cosmetic experts use MicroAire’s power-assisted liposuction (PAL®) system, a powerful precision instrument designed for small or large volume fat extraction, body contouring, and fat harvesting.
The masculinizing results of liposuction applied to male breasts bring back confidence and offer a relief from the embarrassment that the condition causes. If you would like to explore this option, at Women Health Institute, Dr. Umerah will happily address your concerns and explain what the process entails at length.
About a Gynecomastia Consultation in Macon, GA
If you suspect that you are experiencing gynecomastia or have been dealing with it for some time, you may want to see our team at Women’s Health Institute. During your consultation, the doctor will ask you about your health and other symptoms you may have. In addition, they will ask questions about your medical history and any potential drug use. You should always be honest with your doctor so that they can make the right diagnosis and help you on your journey. They might also order some lab tests such as blood or urine tests, a mammogram, a biopsy, CT and MRI scans or an ultrasound.
Schedule your consultation by calling either of our central Georgia offices or using the online booking tool at your earliest convenience.