Gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement, is a common and treatable condition caused by an imbalance in estrogen and testosterone levels, leading to the growth of glandular tissue or fat accumulation. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include observation, weight loss, medication adjustments, or surgical procedures like liposuction or breast reduction.
- Gynecomastia is a common and treatable condition caused by an imbalance in estrogen and testosterone levels, leading to the growth of glandular tissue or fat accumulation.
- Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may include observation, weight loss, medication adjustments, or surgical procedures like liposuction or breast reduction.
- Gynecomastia is frequently seen in newborns, adolescents, and elderly men, and can affect one or both breasts.
- Certain medications, drug use, and underlying health conditions like hypogonadism, tumors, hyperthyroidism, kidney failure, liver failure, and cirrhosis can also cause gynecomastia.
- In young men, especially during puberty, gynecomastia often resolves spontaneously within 6 months, making observation the primary approach.
Gynecomastia, or breast enlargement, is a common aesthetic problem for men. While quite bothersome for many men, gynecomastia is a treatable condition. Professor Dr. Şükrü Yazar, a specialist in Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, shared important points regarding the causes and solutions for gynecomastia.
You don’t have to live with gynecomastia.
Professor Dr. Şükrü Yazar, a specialist in Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, explains that gynecomastia is caused by the enlargement of glandular tissue in the male breast or the accumulation of fat under the breast area. He continues: “Gynecomastia is frequently seen in newborns, adolescents, and elderly men. It can sometimes affect one breast, sometimes both. Although the adult male breast contains a minimum amount of fat and glandular tissue, it has the potential to grow if estrogen and progesterone levels rise. Therefore, when the estrogen-testosterone ratio is disrupted in men, the glandular breast tissue grows, and gynecomastia occurs.”
He also notes that some medications’ side effects, drug use, hypogonadism, tumors, hyperthyroidism, kidney failure, liver failure, and cirrhosis can also cause gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia can be treated using different methods.
According to Professor Dr. Şükrü Yazar, a specialist in Aesthetic, Plastic, and Reconstructive Surgery, gynecomastia in young men, especially during puberty, usually resolves spontaneously within 6 months. Therefore, observation is the primary approach in this age group. While gynecomastia resolves spontaneously in some individuals, it may not resolve on its own in others. In cases of male breast enlargement, weight loss can be an effective solution.
The treatment method for gynecomastia is determined by the underlying cause. If gynecomastia is caused by the side effects of medications, the medications are discontinued. If there are underlying health problems causing breast enlargement in men, these problems are treated first.
If gynecomastia does not resolve spontaneously or significantly affects the patient’s quality of life, surgical procedures may be considered. In this case, liposuction or breast reduction surgery may be chosen on a case-by-case basis. Liposuction generally removes excess breast fat causing gynecomastia, while gynecomastia surgery removes part or all of the breast glandular tissue. Sometimes, both methods are used together.
