It occurs most often in puberty and then again in older adulthood. Even though the condition isn’t dangerous, it can take a fairly serious toll on your psychological health. In this blog, Dr. Farzin Kerendian of Desired Beauty explains more about what causes male breasts to grow and what you can do about it.
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the medical name for enlarged male breasts. It’s most often caused by a hormone imbalance, usually of estrogen and testosterone. For this reason, it sometimes occurs in newborns, during adolescence, and in later adulthood.
Gynecomastia can also occur as a result of other causes. The other causes are the side effects of medications, chemotherapy, and illegal drugs such as anabolic steroids, heroin, and even marijuana.
Gynecomastia is most often felt like a lump under the breast. Your breasts may be of different sizes. You may also feel nipple sensitivity when your breasts make contact with your clothing.
The best way to determine what’s causing your gynecomastia is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kerendian.
How gynecomastia is diagnosed
When you schedule an appointment with Dr. Kerendian, he will perform several tests to determine the cause of your gynecomastia. He may do some of the following:
- Blood tests, including of your hormone levels and liver functions
- Urine tests
- A low-dose X-ray of your breast tissue (also called a mammogram)
- A small sample of your breast tissue may be taken for biopsy
If you have a hormone imbalance, you may be referred to an endocrinologist.
Treatments for gynecomastia
Swollen breast tissue often goes away on its own over time. But if it doesn’t, your best option may be a male breast reduction surgery.
In a male breast reduction surgery, Dr. Kerendian removes the excess fat tissue under your breasts. He may perform liposuction, excision, or a combination of surgical procedures to reduce the size of your breasts.
He also reconstructs the surgical area to give you the most streamlined possible appearance.
Recovering from surgery
If you’ve had male breast reduction surgery, you may wonder about what to expect from recovery. For most people, you’ll need 1-2 weeks off from work to recover, although you may feel sore for a bit longer than that. You may also experience some soreness and bruising.
You’ll need someone to drive you home from the surgery, as you’ll still be under the influence of the anesthesia. Follow all the doctor’s instructions about post-op medications. He may recommend wearing a compression garment during the recovery period as well.
After a male breast reduction surgery, you will likely feel much more confident about yourself. You’ll be able to show off your body with a lot more confidence.
To schedule a consultation with Dr. Farzin Kerendian at Desired Beauty, contact one of his offices or request an appointment online.
Posted on behalf of
