Gynecomastia is a Term Men Should Get to Know
The medical community has complicated technical jargon for every ailment and condition that could develop. These terms provide clinical information to healthcare providers but typically mean very little to the patient. Gynecomastia is one of them. You may have never heard this term before. We’d bet, though, that you’ve heard the term “man boobs.” They are one and the same. Because so many men have this condition, we must discuss it using whatever terms are necessary.
Why Does Breast Enlargement Occur in Some Men?
We often think of women as the ones with breasts. The truth is we all have breast tissue. Men just don’t have as much as women. Generally, men have more muscle on their bodies and women have more fat stored on theirs. Fatty tissue stores in the breasts partially because the sex hormone estrogen tells it to. Even this can create confusion when trying to understand why a man would develop breast tissue. Men don’t typically have estrogen, right? Wrong.
Both men and women have breast tissue. Both men and women have sex hormones, including testosterone and estrogen. It is the levels that differ between them. Sometimes, a man may experience an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. This can happen with age as testosterone levels naturally decline. It can happen as a result of medication, supplements, or drugs. It can also relate to weight, though this isn’t always the case. When weight is involved, breast enlargement may be what is called pseudogynecomastia. The condition would go away when a healthier weight is reached. If weight loss occurs but breast tissue remains, or if enlarged breasts are not associated with weight, we need to look at what matters most: correction.
In our office near Philadelphia, gynecomastia is corrected with male breast reduction. This approach is better than nonsurgical options because it is not limited to fat reduction alone. In addressing gynecomastia, a plastic surgeon can customize treatment to include:
- Removal of fatty tissue using liposuction.
- Removal of the breast gland to prevent puffiness or a recurrence of enlargement.
- Tissue lifting, which trims skin that has become loose and saggy.
Male breast enlargement is a troublesome problem to have. Reduction surgery can resolve the issue for good. To learn more about male breast reduction, call 610.527.4833.
