A lump of fatty tissue under the nipple may be the first symptom of gynecomastia. This lump is tender or sore occasionally. This could make you think about getting breast cancer, which occurs in a small number of men. Gynecomastia is not usually a sign of cancer, but to rule it out, your doctor can run some tests.
There may be uneven swelling of the breasts, with one becoming larger than the other. You may have breast tenderness as well. See your doctor if you find that your breasts are swollen, sore, or tender, or that one or both breasts have been discharged from your nipple.
A reduction in the amount of the hormone testosterone relative to estrogen causes gynecomastia. Conditions that block the effects of testosterone, decrease testosterone, or increase your level of estrogen may cause the decrease.
Several factors, including the following, can disrupt the hormone balance.
In both males and women, the hormones testosterone and estrogen regulate sexual organs. Male characteristics, such as muscle mass and body hair, are dominated by testosterone. Estrogen, including the growth of breasts, controls female traits.
Most individuals think of estrogen as an exclusively female hormone, but it is also produced by men, but usually in small amounts. Gynecomastia can be caused by male estrogen levels which are too high or are out of balance with testosterone levels.
Gynecomastia in infants: Due to the effects of their mother’s estrogen, more than half of male babies are born with enlarged breasts. The swollen breast tissue usually goes away within two to three weeks of birth.
Gynecomastia in adults: Around 50 and 69 years of age, the incidence of gynecomastia peaks again. It affects at least 1 in 4 men in this age group.
Gynecomastia during puberty: It is relatively normal to experience gynecomastia caused by hormone changes during puberty. In most cases, without surgery, the swollen breast tissue will go away within six months to two years.
Gynecomastia can be caused by several medications which include:
Substances that can cause gynecomastia are:
By affecting the normal balance of hormones, many health conditions may cause gynecomastia. These include:
Hypogonadism: Gynecomastia may be associated with conditions that interfere with normal testosterone production, such as Klinefelter syndrome or pituitary insufficiency.
Aging: Hormone changes that occur with normal aging, particularly in men who are overweight, can cause gynecomastia.
Hyperthyroidism: In this case, too much of the hormone thyroxine is released by the thyroid gland.
Tumors: Some tumors may produce hormones that modify the male-female hormone balance, such as those involving the testicles, adrenal glands, or pituitary gland.
Kidney failure: Due to hormonal fluctuations, about half the individuals infected with dialysis experience gynecomastia.
Malnutrition and starvation: Testosterone levels drop when your body is deprived of adequate nutrition, while estrogen levels stay the same, causing a hormonal imbalance. When normal feeding returns, gynecomastia may also happen.
Liver failure and cirrhosis: Gynecomastia is associated with changes in hormone levels due to liver disorders and drugs for cirrhosis.
Gynecomastia risk factors include:
There are few physical complications of gynecomastia, but psychological or emotional issues induced by appearance may be induced.
There are a few factors you can handle that can decrease the risk of gynecomastia:
Review your medications: Ask your doctor if there are any options if you are taking medicine known to cause gynecomastia.
Don’t use drugs: Steroids and androgens, amphetamines, heroin, and marijuana are examples of these.
Avoid alcohol: Don’t drink alcohol.
Your doctor will ask you questions about your history with medications and drugs, and what health problems your family is experiencing. A physical examination may also be conducted by the doctor and will require a thorough inspection of the breast tissue, abdomen, and genitals.
To determine the cause of your gynecomastia, initial tests can include:
Depending on your initial test results, you can need more testing, including:
Without care, most gynecomastia cases resolve over time. Your doctor may suggest stopping or substituting other medications if you are taking medications that may cause gynecomastia.
The doctor may prescribe periodic re-evaluations every three to six months for adolescents with no clear cause of gynecomastia other than natural hormone changes during puberty, to see if the condition improves on its own. Sometimes, gynecomastia goes away in less than two years without medication.
If gynecomastia does not resolve on its own, or if it causes severe pain, tenderness, or humiliation, care may be required.
For some men with gynecomastia, drugs used to treat breast cancer and other conditions can be helpful. These include:
While the Food and Drug Administration approves these drugs, they have not been expressly approved for use in people with gynecomastia.
In patients who only need liposuction to correct their swollen male breasts, it is usually less than one week to return to exercise and work. It can take from two and four weeks for patients who require surgical removal of the excess breast tissue and recover enough to tolerate regular activities. In my specialty, my patients can return to work after 7-10 days of surgery. They can return to the gym for 2 weeks of cardio and 4 weeks of weightlifting, except for surgical complications.
For Gynecomastia surgery in Jaipur, contact Cosmo-Hair one of the best Plastic & Cosmetic Surgeons is Dr. Buddhi Prakash Sharma. He provides you with the right advice about your illness. Well-experienced physicians will protect you during your treatment. Cosmo-Hair Jaipur provides modern treatment equipment that assists in painless surgery. One of the ideal Jaipur hospitals for their successful outcome is Cosmo-Hair Jaipur.
Gynecomastia is a common condition that can be attributed to an estrogen/androgen imbalance caused by several etiological factors. The treatment for GM should be tailored after verifying the diagnosis, looking for a specific cause, and classifying the case according to severity level. Valid personalized therapeutic options are lifestyle guidance, reassurance, medical treatment, and surgical correction.
