April 21, 2009 | Breast Reduction, Plastic Surgery
2 minute read
(Updated for 2019)
The popular perception of enlarged male breasts seems to have changed over the years. What was once a relatively obscure condition is now approaching a level of pop culture phenomenon.
The media calls them man boobs or moobs, but the good news about the heightened visibility of the condition known as gynecomastia is that more men are realizing they are not alone and have options like male breast reduction surgery to help.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia can affect more than 50 percent of male adolescents and up to 65 percent of adult males. Gynecomastia, whether caused by enlarged breast glandular tissue, excess fat or a combination of both, is a benign condition that can leave many men feeling insecure about the appearance of their chest.
What Causes Enlarged Breasts in Men?
While obesity can cause a condition known as pseudogynecomastia (excess fatty tissue in the breast), real or true gynecomastia (swollen breast glands) is caused by a hormone imbalance. In either case, surgery can alleviate the symptoms.
Medications, or illegal drugs like marijuana and anabolic steroids can cause gynecomastia. Particular drugs that are used during treatment for prostate cancer are to blame. Gynecomastia can also be caused by genetic conditions like Klinefelter’s Syndrome.
Seeking medical advice to find out what is causing your gynecomastia is the first step in determining the best course of action to treat your condition.
Gynecomastia Treatment
Surgery isn’t the only option. In cases of pubertal gynecomastia, the condition can often disappear over time or when puberty is over. Other cases have shown improvement without any interventions, while have seen improvements from stopping certain medications or drug use.
For men who have pseudogynecomastia, weight loss can be effective at reducing the size of their breasts. Depending on the amount of weight needed to be lost, those with pseudogynecomastia may still benefit from male breast surgery to remove excess skin and reshape and sculpt the chest area.
While underlying issues like hormone imbalance and obesity should always be addressed, many patients find that surgery is the right choice to correct excess breast tissue.
Male breast reduction can restore that natural masculine appearance people expect. If you are interested in learning more about male breast reduction, contact us for a consultation.