Gynecomastia is the condition in which enlargement of breast tissue occurs in the male gender. This is due to the accumulation of fat in the breast tissue. Breasts grow larger than usual and may appear uneven on both sides. Gynecomastia is most commonly present in boys of 12-14 years but it can also be present in newborn babies and middle-aged men. Most of the time there is no known cause of this condition but it is said that when there is an imbalance between male and female hormones then gynecomastia can occur in men. Gynecomastia can also occur as a result of side effects of some specific medicines or it can be the result of any pre-existing medical condition. Gynecomastia can occur in one or both sides of the breast tissues. The treatment of gynecomastia may involve various non-surgical and surgical methods. For the patients in which the gynecomastia is the result of some side effects of medicines or the effect of some disease, treatment should be focused on the cause of gynecomastia. Surgery can also be performed to treat gynecomastia where excess tissues are removed from breasts. Many patients with gynecomastia get better after a certain age without any treatment.
There are many types of treatment for gynecomastia. These are:
In some cases, mild gynecomastia might resolve naturally without the need for any medical treatment. This often occurs at the age of twelve to fourteen years when hormone levels are changing.
Lifestyle changes can be effective if gynecomastia is connected to factors like obesity or certain medication use. Making changes such as losing weight and discontinuing specific medications can help in reducing breast tissue enlargement.
Mostly gynecomastia occurs due to a disturbance in hormones. For the treatment, some specific medications are used that balance the hormone level and lower the effect on breast tissues.
Surgery is usually performed when severe gynecomastia occurs and there is a rapid enlargement of breast tissues. Some of the surgical options are:
Liposuction: In this procedure, excess of fat is removed from the breast.
Mastectomy: In this procedure, breast tissues and fats both are removed during surgery.
Sometimes gynecomastia occurs due to some disease or as the side effect of some medicines. In this situation, the disease is treated which is causing gynecomastia, and medicines are stopped.
Emotional and psychological support is an important part of the treatment. When gynecomastia affects self-esteem or self-confidence, counseling can help individuals deal with the condition and its effect on their mental health.
Some of the diagnostic methods used in gynecomastia are as follows:
Gynecomastia is usually diagnosed by a physical examination by healthcare providers. They assess the breast tissue, and the area around the nipple, and look for any signs of swelling or abnormal growth.
Medical history helps to find out the cause of gynecomastia like the use of certain medications, history of a medical disease that can cause gynecomastia, or the treatment of prostate cancer with radiation therapy.
Blood tests are used to check the level of hormones in the blood.
In some cases, ultrasound and mammography techniques can be used to examine the breast tissue and rule out other medical conditions such as breast cancer.
In rare cases, when the cause of breast tissue enlargement is unknown, a biopsy test is performed to examine a tissue sample from the breast in the laboratory. This helps to rule out any other medical conditions.
If gynecomastia is severe, the healthcare provider will find out the underlying causes such as tests for thyroid function, kidney health, or liver function.
The cost of gynecomastia treatment in India ranges from 1300 USD to 1700 USD. The cost can also vary according to the type of treatment. Surgical methods for the treatment of gynecomastia can be higher than the treatment with medications.
Treatment Costs in India | Min in USD | Max in USD |
Gynecomastia Treatment | 1332 USD | 1776 USD |
Some of the symptoms that occur in the condition of gynecomastia are as follows:
Some of the risk factors of gynecomastia are:
The major risk factor of gynecomastia is the imbalance between male and female hormones in the body. The risk is greater at the age of 12 to 14 years in males.
Gynecomastia is more common in children between 10 to 14 years and middle-aged men. In these age groups, there is a higher risk of hormone imbalance that can lead to the condition of gynecomastia.
Some medications can increase the risk of gynecomastia. For example, the medicines that are used to treat prostate cancer in males can cause gynecomastia. Liver cancer treatment also leads to the risk of gynecomastia.
Some diseases like kidney or liver disease can increase the risk of gynecomastia.
Excess of body weight can also be the risk of gynecomastia because excess fat accumulates in the body.
A family history of gynecomastia might increase the risk of developing the condition.
Exposure to harmful chemicals in the environment that disrupt the system of hormones in the body. Occupations where harmful chemicals are involved can increase the risk of gynecomastia.
Poor nutrition particularly deficiency in important nutrients can affect the level of hormones in the body and increase the risk of gynecomastia.
Some medical treatments used to deal with cancers can increase the risk of gynecomastia. For example, radiation therapy in treating cancer can increase the risk.
Some athletes and bodybuilders who use steroids to gain the strength and bulk of muscles are also at a higher risk of developing gynecomastia. Steroids can cause an imbalance of hormones that leads to various abnormal conditions.
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