A significant number of men in the United States will develop enlarged breast tissue in their chest. This condition is called gynecomastia and can be a source of significant embarrassment for some men. It can occur at any age. Often, men who suffer from gynecomastia will refuse to remove their shirt even when at the pool or gym because of social embarrassment.
There are several ways to improve this physical problem by removing the unwanted enlarged breast tissue and skin. It is necessary, however, to look for underlying treatable medical causes prior to surgical correction.
Gynecomastia Gallery
What Causes Gynecomastia?
There are many causes of gynecomastia. Occasionally it is multifactorial and often times there is no identifiable cause. Some of the contributing factors include obesity, certain prescription medications, alcohol, marijuana, and steroid abuse. Several medical illnesses can contribute to gynecomastia such as thyroid disease, prolactinemia, renal failure, and even some benign and malignant tumors.
Is Male Breast Reduction Right For Me?
First, a correctable medical cause for gynecomastia should be sought. Once this has been done, most healthy men who are bothered by the appearance of their chest are reasonable candidates to be evaluated for surgery. Patients should be mature enough to understand the procedure, its limitations, and the resultant scaring (if any).
If you are an adolescent male who suffers from enlarged breast tissue, often the best advice is to wait until the end of puberty to allow hormonal changes to settle out. Gynecomastia will often disappear in adolescents and patients can avoid a scar from surgery. However, there are rare cases that warrant surgical correction earlier.
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