An enlarged breast is among the various things that could make a man feel uncomfortable. Though the problem is not a significant health condition, it could be embarrassing and difficult to live with. L.A. Vinas Plastic Surgery, Med Spa & Skin Care Center is a plastic surgery center that diagnoses and treats gynecomastia in West Palm Beach.
What are the common causes of gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia results from a decrease in testosterone levels compared to the estrogen hormone. The minimal levels could be caused by conditions that block testosterone effects, increase your estrogen levels, or lower your testosterone amounts. While mild forms of gynecomastia will resolve over time, your surgeon could recommend treatment when your breasts are bothersome.
Factors likely to upset your hormonal imbalance include:
Natural hormonal imbalance. Males and females have the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone in different levels. Males generally have higher amounts of testosterone, while women have higher levels of estrogen. While estrogen controls the female characteristics like breast growth, testosterone controls male traits like muscle mass. High estrogen levels or an imbalance of the sex hormones in males could result in conditions like gynecomastia.
The condition happens naturally in your life. The phases are:
· Infancy (after birth). As an infant, you are likely to be born with enlarged breasts, thanks to your mother’s estrogen. Fortunately, the swollen tissue will disappear approximately two weeks after birth.
· At puberty. Hormonal changes at puberty are likely to cause your breast muscle to swell. The swelling does not require treatment and will disappear approximately six months to two years after the onset of puberty.
· In adults. Gynecomastia’s prevalence again peaks when you are between your 50s and 80s, and one out of every four males in the age bracket is likely to have enlarged breasts.
Medications. The various medications that could result in gynecomastia include:
- Anti-androgens
- Anabolic steroids and androgens
- Anti-anxiety medications
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Cancer treatments
- Ulcer medications
Street drugs. Substances likely to trigger breast enlargement include:
- Methadone
- Marijuana
- Heroin
- Amphetamines
- Alcohol
Health conditions. Conditions with the potential of upsetting your hormonal balance include:
- Aging
- Tumors
- Hyperthyroidism
- Hypogonadism
- Kidney failure
- Liver failure and cirrhosis
- Malnutrition and starvation
What are your treatment options when you have gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is likely to resolve over time independently without treatment. If your symptoms result from an underlying condition, your doctor will recommend treatment for the illness. Suppose your symptoms result from specific medications you could be taking. Your care provider will stop you from taking them or substitute them for other medicines.
The treatment options your doctor will recommend in case your symptoms do not improve include:
Medications. Your care provider might prescribe medications like aromatase inhibitors to help minimize your symptoms.
Surgery. When other treatment options fail to improve your symptoms, your surgeon could suggest:
- Liposuction. A procedure to remove fat in your breast muscles.
- Mastectomy. The surgery removes your breast gland tissue.
Typically, gynecomastia is not a severe health condition and your doctor might not recommend treatment. However, you should not delay contacting your doctor for medical intervention when you start feeling pain, tenderness, or start seeing nipple discharge in either of the affected breasts. Contact your doctor today to begin your breast transformation.