Gynecomastia: What Is It and How Surgery Can Help
- Posted on: Sep 30 2023
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Gynecomastia is a condition that affects between 50% and 65% of males worldwide. If you struggle with this condition, knowing there is hope is essential. A male breast reduction surgery can help flatten your chest and rebuild your confidence. Having a better understanding of what gynecomastia surgery involves can help ease some of your stress.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
There are several factors that can cause gynecomastia. One of the most common causes is an imbalance between androgen and estrogen hormones. If the male’s body produces too much of the estrogen hormone or too little testosterone, it can result in the development of larger breasts.
Medical Conditions That Cause Gynecomastia
Various medical conditions can also increase the likelihood of a male developing gynecomastia. Some common conditions include:
- Thyroid disease
- Kidney disease or failure
- Alcoholism
- Adrenal tumors
- Thyroid disease
- Liver disease
- Klinefelter syndrome
Medications That Can Cause Gynecomastia
In addition to health conditions causing gynecomastia, several medications can increase the risk of developing this condition. Gynecomastia can develop due to taking medications designed to treat:
- Heart failure
- High blood pressure
- Enlarged prostate
- Anxiety and depression
- Substance abuse
- Male infertility
- Enlarged prostate
- Fungal or bacterial infections
In addition, males who use anabolic steroids, amphetamines, opioids, tea tree oils, and lavender oils can develop gynecomastia.
Managing and Treating Gynecomastia
Being diagnosed with gynecomastia may impact your self-esteem and confidence. However, there are treatment options available to help you overcome this problem. If a medication or another substance is the attributing factor that caused your breast enlargement, stopping or switching the medication can help.
If a disease causes you to develop gynecomastia, treating the underlying cause will reduce the swelling you experience. In addition, breast reduction surgery can also be performed to remove the excess breast tissue and decrease the size. Reaching out to our team can help determine what option will help you achieve the desired results.
Contact Dr. Schaffer Today to Discuss Your Options
If you are interested in seeing if a male breast reduction surgery can help with your gynecomastia, contact Dr. Eric S Schaffer, M.D., F.A.C.S., at 210-227-3223 or fill out the online form to schedule an appointment. Dr. Schaffer can meet with you for a consultation to discuss the options available.
Posted in: Gynecomastia
