Learn what gynecomastia is and what causes it. Find out what the
treatment options are for this condition causing the enlargement of the
male breast tissue.
What is gynecomastia? The gland tissue in a man's breast enlarges in
this condition. This condition is common during infancy and later in
puberty. It can also occur in aging men,
especially those who are middle
aged or older. This is a different condition from pseudogynecomastia,
which happens when there are fat deposits in this region of the body,
which occurs when men are obese. The difference here is in the
development and growth brought on by the gland itself. Very few men
suffer from this condition.
Why Does it Happen?
This condition can happen for many reasons. A few medical conditions can cause it, too.
-It occurs in some malnutrition cases, as well as re-feeding. This
creates a scenario when the hormones are able to produce this condition.
Any other condition that alters the normal hormone balance in the male
can cause this to occur.
-Some men who have disorders of the sex organs may have a lower level of
testosterone production in the body and therefore often have a higher
level of estrogen. This can lead to gynecomastia. This can occur from
various conditions, such as from trauma, aging, infection or even from
cancers.
-Medications such as those used for ulcer treatments, digittoxin,
diazepam, ace inhibitor medications, calcium channel blockers and
medications such as spironolactone, which is a diuretic.
In some cases, it is not necessary to determine what the underlying
cause is. However, if it becomes a problem, your doctor can work to
pinpoint the underlying cause through diagnostic processes. Tests may
point to the underlying concerns, which, if treated, can prevent the
condition from worsening.
Fixing It
There are various ways that a doctor can treat gynecomastia. Often, the
easiest treatment is simply improving the underlying cause of the
condition. In other cases, replacement therapy for testosterone can work
to improve the condition. Some medications may also work to reduce the
development or slow it. In some cases, men can opt to have plastic
surgery as a way to reduce the amount of tissue present.
In some cases, the condition does not pose any threat to your health and
therefore it may not be necessary to improve the condition overall.
However, many men feel very self-conscious about it and therefore want
to seek out a treatment that can offer some help to avoiding the stigma
that comes with the condition.
To overcome gynecomastia, it is often necessary first to be diagnosed
with the condition and then second to work to understand what is
bringing on the condition. Then, the right steps can be taken to correct
it. For those who want to overcome this condition, consider all of your
options. Chances are good you will find a way to treat it that you feel
comfortable with. On the other hand, some men only have slightly
noticeable difference in their physical appearance and therefore do not
seek treatment for it. In most cases, there is no risk to overall health
from this condition.
