Why Gynecomastia May Mean More Than It Seems
- Posted on: Nov 15 2019
Gynecomastia, like other medical terms, might just sound unnecessarily fancy; a way for doctors to converse with one another in a way that the average person probably wouldn’t understand. This condition is one that affects millions of men, and yet we have met less than a handful of patients who come into the office saying “help me, doctor, I have gynecomastia.” No. What we see instead are multitudes of men suffering from words like “man boobs” spoken about them.
What is Gynecomastia and Why Do Some Men Have Breasts?
To be clear, all men have breast tissue. All people have breast tissue. The average man, though, has much more muscle than fat on this part of his body. Women, on the other hand, typically have more fat than muscle. This is what differentiates the two. Gynecomastia is the condition in which a man develops breasts that resemble the female form. This may occur for several reasons. Often, it has to do with hormones. Weight, medication, and genetics may make some men more prone to estrogen dominance. Estrogen, the female sex hormone, exists in all men, but in limited quantities. When it elevates, it can overpower testosterone and affect several parts of the body, including the breasts.
Correcting Gynecomastia
A man doesn’t need to state that he has gynecomastia, only that he talk to his doctor about male breast enlargement. Terminology doesn’t matter. What matters is that help is obtained. What that looks like might be different for every man. What we know through research is that surgical correction is the safest and most effective approach.
Male breast reduction may include liposuction, the minimally-invasive technique that removes excess fat. In some situations, it is also necessary to remove the breast gland, which is overactive and causing puffiness. Finally, if the skin around the breasts has been stretched and has become saggy, a lifting technique may be performed to smooth and contour the chest for more masculine form.
By any name, gynecomastia is a condition that can create a great deal of stress and self-consciousness. It is also a condition that can be treated. To learn what this looks like for you, call our San Antonio office at 210-227-3223 for a consultation.
Posted in: Male Plastic Surgery
