Gynecomastia: Looking At Your Treatment Options

Gynecomastia is a term that describes the development of breast tissue in males. It commonly comes about as a result of puberty, where the hormone balances can become sharply imbalanced, thus causing an overabundance of estrogen in the system. The results can be challenging for any man to deal with, especially in situations where going shirtless is a necessity. While the condition is usually self-contained, it is sometimes a symptom of a more serious disease, which should be ruled out by a physician before treatment options are considered. If you have decided you want your appearance surgically altered, here are some of the options you have.

Liposuction

By far the most effective method of treating gynecomastia, liposuction addresses the buildup of fatty deposits in the chest. Some doctors will go the extra step and actually remove the gland producing the excess breast tissue, but this is only in rare cases where the condition is likely to reoccur. Liposuction, of course, can be expensive and is rarely covered by health insurance. Nonetheless, it is the only method guaranteed to show results and is therefore the option most commonly recommended by doctors in the know.

Herbal

For minor to moderate cases of gynecomastia, some patients have had success with herbal treatments. Turmeric root, in particular, has been shown to have some degree of effectiveness in causing some diminished effect. It should be noted, however, that medical science does not support this method and nor have any studies shown the effectiveness in a rigorous study. Anecdotally, however, the treatment does have its supporters. It might be worth a try before looking at more expensive options. Turmeric root supplements should be easy to find at your local health food and vitamin shops.

Hormone Treatment

Steroid users commonly make use of certain anti-estrogen pills to keep this unwanted hormone at bay during their cycles, and doctors sometimes make use of these same treatments when looking at gynecomastia. Unfortunately, in many cases, once the development of breast tissue has already begun, it may be too late to do anything about it through the use of hormone therapy. If you are prone to an overabundance of estrogen, however, these pills may prevent its re-occurrence after you have gone through an established treatment such as liposuction. If your condition came about as a result of steroid use, however, your best bet in preventing a re-occurrence is to stop introducing exogenous testosterone into the body, or to do so only through the care of a good hormone replacement therapy program.