Gynecomastia is a technical term for when men have breast tissue that is unusually large or swollen. Sometimes it affects only one breast, but more often it affects both. It may be the result of a hormonal imbalance between testosterone and estrogen. At certain stages in life, such as being a newborn, going through puberty, and advancing in age, gynecomastia is more common.
Symptoms of Gynecomastia
Technically speaking, this condition is not a serious medical problem. It does, however, cause serious embarrassment for many men. Other than the obvious swelling of the breast tissue, the only other real symptom is breast tenderness. Sometimes, this tenderness turns into pain.
Causes of Gynecomastia
There are certain factors that can increase a man’s odds of developing this condition. They are:
Life Stages
When this condition is present in newborns and boys going through puberty, it generally goes away on its own. This is because the body’s hormones are fluctuating dramatically during these periods but generally level out by themselves. Older men, however, are the most common group of people to deal with gynecomastia.
Lifestyle Choices
There are certain avoidable things that men do that increase their odds of dealing with enlarged breasts. Drinking too much alcohol and taking street drugs are good examples.
Medications
It is not only street drugs that can cause gynecomastia. There are several commonly prescribed types of medications that can contribute as well. Whether or not your specific medications are contributing to gynecomastia is something that can be discussed at a consultation.
Health Problems
The hormonal imbalance that causes breast enlargement is sometimes triggered by a different health condition.
Treatment
For cases that don’t resolve on their own, the best treatment is typically surgery. During this procedure, excess fat and tissue can be skillfully removed.
If you have concerns regarding gynecomastia, we would be happy to schedule you for a consultation here at Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery. We can discuss what may be causing the condition and whether or not surgery is right for you. Contact us today to arrange a consultation in Tampa.