What are the Causes of Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition in males caused by the swelling of their breast tissue, which is usually flat. Although this condition is not dangerous, it can be embarrassing and often impacts the patient’s self-confidence.

This happens because of an imbalance in testosterone and estrogen levels when estrogen levels in males increase due to certain reasons. However, it may go on its own. If it doesn’t, many people prefer Gynecomastia surgery to remove the excess breast tissue and gain confidence.

Main Causes of Gynecomastia

Let’s take a look at the major causes of gynecomastia in men:

1. Natural Hormone Imbalance

When testosterone levels are low in men in comparison to estrogen levels, they can experience gynecomastia. This mostly happens in young males during puberty due to their hormonal changes.

2. Medicines

Intake of certain medications without a doctor’s prescription can also cause gynecomastia, like:

• Anabolic steroids
• AIDS and HIV medicines
• ADHD medicines
• Anti-anxiety pills
• Heart medicines and some antibiotics

Before taking any medicine, it’s important to consult with your doctor to avoid any side effects.

3. Recreational Drugs and Alcohol

Substances like excessive alcohol, marijuana, methadone, etc., also cause male breast enlargement. If you use these drugs, then you need to undergo Gynecomastia surgery to deal with this condition because using these prolongs your condition.

4. Health Conditions

The following health conditions can be linked with gynecomastia:

• Aging: Your body experiences hormonal changes as you age, especially if you are overweight.
• Hypogonadism: This is a condition that lowers the testosterone levels in your body. This can also be a reason for your enlarged breasts.
• Tumors: Tumors in body parts like testes, adrenal glands, and pituitary glands can transform your hormonal levels.
• Kidney Failure: Excess dialysis treatment is also a cause for hormonal changes, paving your way towards getting this male chest fat removal surgery.
• Malnutrition: When your body does not get appropriate nutrition, the testosterone levels drop, but estrogen stays the same. This causes hormonal imbalance.

5. Some Herbal Products

Certain herbal products used in shampoos, soaps, and lotions, such as tea tree and lavender oil, are associated with gynecomastia because they contain compounds that mimic estrogen and affect testosterone levels.

Treatment Options for Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia sometimes goes away on its own as age progresses and hormonal issues are mitigated. But if that is not the case and gynecomastia is persistent, the most effective and lasting treatment for gynecomastia is surgery.

This surgery is considered the best option because it provides a permanent solution and quickly improves the appearance of the chest and reduces any physical discomfort like pain or tenderness.

If you’re considering treatment, discussing this option with a qualified plastic surgeon is important to understand the benefits and ensure it’s the right choice for your specific situation.

Before proceeding with any treatment choice, it is better to consult your surgeon and discuss your desired body shape and expectations from the gynecomastia surgery. They will help evaluate your condition and recommend the most appropriate treatment option.