Gynaecomastia, in it’s simplest terms, is the medical terminology for abnormally large breasts in men. The word itself derives from the Greek words “gyne” and “mastos”, which mean “women” and “breasts” respectively. While you may not have heard the word gynaecomastia before, it’s actually a very common condition which affects approximately 40% of men of all ages.
It’s a condition that can cause feelings of shame and inadequacy within men, especially in the world we live in today where the “perfect” male body is thrown around on social media, but is something that is actually treatable and manageable using surgery.
What are the causes of gynaecomastia in men?
For the majority of men, having an enlarged chest or breast area is the result of having an excessive amount of fat in this area; however, there are a number of other causes which include;
- Idiopathic – For the majority of gynaecomastia cases, there is no obvious cause that can be seen
- Puberty – The condition affects around 50% of adolescent boys
- Steroids – Steroids are known to alter hormone stability and this includes the production of oestrogen
- Obesity – Excess fat is associated with obesity, but it can actually cause increased levels of oestrogen in the body
- Medicine and drugs – Things such as antidepressants and steroids can alter the balance of specific hormones in the body
- Genetic causes – Gynaecomastia is something that can be hereditary and run in families
- Recreational drugs – Taking things like marijuana, alcohol and amphetamines have all been linked to gynaecomastia
- Breast or testicular cancer – It’s very rare, but either of these can cause gynaecomastia
- Liver or kidney problems – This can cause raised levels of oestrogen and other hormones which results in larger amounts of breast tissue
How does gynaecomastia get diagnosed?
Gynaecomastia is something that can go undetected or just be brushed aside as something else entirely such as overeating or standard weight gain. If you feel like you may have gynaecomastia, undergoing a consultation to identify the cause and exclude any underlying conditions that could be behind it, such as breast or testicular cancer. The diagnosis is given after the consultation, but if it is the case then the options for treatment can then start to be considered.
What are the treatment options for gynaecomastia?
Considering that most cases are idiopathic and mild severity, it may not be necessary to actually require treatment. Doing things to maintain a better lifestyle such as optimising your body weight and minimising intake of alcohol can help to fight and reduce gynaecomastia.
For gynaecomastia in teenage boys that is onset by puberty, it tends to resolve itself naturally in around 90% of cases but can require a follow up to ensure it’s progressing correctly.
For the other causes of gynaecomastia, providing it’s not a medical reason that requires specific treatment, the best option to reduce the excess tissue and fat is to undergo a chest reduction surgery. This form of surgery is exactly what it says on the tin and is a surgical procedure that is performed to reduce the size of the chest. By removing excess fat, tissue and skin, gynaecomastia surgery is designed to help you to achieve a more natural silhouette and proportionate body. During the surgery, depending on the severity of the gynaecomastia it may be necessary to reposition the nipple and areola to make sure that the chest still has a natural appearance when the patient is shirtless.
What about the complications of gynaecomastia?
If left untreated, gynaecomastia can cause a number of issues to both your physical and mental health. On the mental side of things, it may cause feelings of embarrassment, anxiety and can even lead to depression, whereas on the physical side it can cause pain and discomfort when doing anything from standard everyday activities through to exercise and movement. It’s important to speak to people about these complications and seek help as if it continues to be an issue.
What happens after the surgery?
After the surgery, you need to take the time to rest and recover properly. It is a major surgery and needs to be treated and respected as such. It’s heavily advised that you take at least a week off work following gynaecomastia surgery, but this is entirely dependent on the industry you work in. If you have an office job that doesn’t require intensive working, you’re safe to go back quicker.
You’ll be required to undergo periodic follow ups to check that the wound is healing correctly and that everything is progressing as it should.