Do you have enlarged chests and feel embarrassed because of it? Do not worry; visiting a good Plastic Surgeon will solve your condition.
Gynecomastia is the term for enlarged male chest. It can affect one or both chests, and the severity of the effects varies. Are you also facing the same condition? Dr. Leena Jain, a famous Plastic Surgeon in Borivali, Mumbai. She has treated several cases related to gynecomastia. Here in this article Dr Leena explains thighs to know about Gynecomastia & its treatments.
Due to regular hormonal changes in males, gynecomastia is most common in boys and older males. But, the reason for the rise in most other men’s chests sizes is unknown. Others develop gynecomastia due to testicular tumors, alcoholism, liver problems, medication side effects, and so on.
In most cases, primary gynecomastia is a self-restricting disorder; however, it may not revert in size and may have pain in some cases. Even after the causative factor has been removed, secondary gynecomastia may persist.Says Dr Leena , leading Plastic Surgeon in Mumbai.
What are some of the signs of Gynecomastia?
Some signs of gynecomastia are listed below:
When should you go to a specialist?
You should see a doctor if you have any of the below symptoms:
- Your chests are painful or tender.
What causes Gynecomastia?
A decrease in testosterone (male hormone) levels in contrast to estrogen (female hormone) causes gynecomastia.
Several factors can cause hormonal imbalance, it includes:
Hormonal Changes
The hormones testosterone and estrogen maintain both men’s and women’s intimacy factors. Testosterone is responsible for building body hair and muscle mass, while estrogen controls female characteristics like chest development.
The majority of people believe women’s bodies can only produce estrogen. However, this is not the case. Men also have small amounts of it within their bodies. A rise in male estrogen levels in comparison to testosterone levels causes gynecomastia.
Several male infants are born with enlarged chests due to the high estrogen level in the mother’s body. Within two to three weeks following their birth, the enlarged chest tissue usually disappears.
Gynecomastia is a prevalent condition that occurs during puberty as a result of hormonal changes. The enlarged chest tissues usually disappear on their own without the need for surgery.
Gynecomastia is at an all-time high among men between the ages of fifty and sixty-nine. At least one out of every four males in this age group is affected.
Medication side effects
Male chest can get enlarged as a result of certain medications. These include the following:
- Prostate cancer and Prostate enlargement medications
- Certain types of steroids that the doctors prescribe during an emergency
- Medicines that doctors provide to treat HIV infection
- Antibiotics and anti-anxiety medicines
- Some life-saving drugs that treat heart problems
- Ulcer treatment medications
Some health issues
Specific health issues can also cause enlarged male chests. Like –
What is the best way to get rid of male chest enlargements?
Chest-Strengthening Exercises
These may not reduce enlarging chest size completely.
Treatment options include
After a while, most types of gynecomastia disappear on their own. Correct treatment can free you from enlarged male chest if you have hypogonadism, starvation, or cirrhosis.
If you take any medications that can lead to gynecomastia, your specialist may recommend you switch to something else or stop taking them.
You will need treatment if your gynecomastia does not heal on its own after one to two years or if it causes tenderness, severe discomfort, or humiliation.
Surgery is an One-Time, Long Term Fix
The surgeon uses general anesthesia for surgery. Then, the surgeon primarily uses liposuction to remove excess glandular and fatty tissue from the chest. The surgeon uses the same small cut of less than 1cm to remove excess tissue after liposuction.
It is becoming more common for men to turn to plastic surgery not only for gynecomastia, but for non-invasive facial treatments as well, such as Botox.
The clinic is a day-care clinic. Patients must wear a compression garment/tight vest for three months after surgery to help the loose skin to regain its elasticity.