
“Gynecomastia” comes from two Greek words, “Gyne” meaning Woman and “Mastos” which means breast. Loosely translated, it means “woman like breasts”. They are also known as “steroid breasts” or “man boobs” as some people unkindly call them. It’s the breast (pardon the pun) of all jokes. An embarrassing anatomy that sags (pardon the pun, again) men into depression.
Gynecomastia describes a condition whereby breast tissue grows in a man’s chest creating what appear to be female breasts. These breasts can sometimes be quite tender and sensitive.
The condition Gynecomastia is very common in adolescent boys. However, in about 90% of these cases, the condition disappears naturally as they grow out of puberty and into adulthood.

Unfortunately, for the remaining 10%, the breasts remains, and can be quite a social let-down causing great embarrassment and psychological damage to the patient. In fact, it is very common that this condition can generate a great deal of shame, embarrassment and humiliation. Most of this is usually brought about from teasing and jokes made about their breasts, by their friends and even family.
It is interesting to note that other than the tenderness in the chest caused by Gynecomastia, there are no other medical problems with this condition other than the psychological problems that it brings about.
For some men and boys who appear to have Gynecomastia, may actually have a condition called pseudogynecomastia. This describes the fatty build up on their chests. Do note that this is not the same thing as Gynecomastia.
Oddly enough, it is possible that this condition may affect only one breast or both.
What causes Gynecomastia?
For most cases of Gynecomastia, there are no identifiable causes for this condition. However, this list contains a lot of what is commonly accepted to cause Gynecomastia.
– puberty
– steroid abuse
– obesity
– tumors
– genetic disorders
– chronic liver disease
– side effects of medication
– castration
– Klinefelter Syndrome
– Gilberts Syndrome
– ageing
Changes in the balance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone can also cause Gynecomastia. While this commonly occurs during puberty it can also happen during other stages of a man’s life.
From that list above, studies have shown that the main causes of Gynecomastia are usually: obesity, steroid abuse and an imbalance in hormones.
How is Gynecomastia Diagnosed?
Diagnosis usually starts with the doctor making a physical examination. The examination itself should be relatively minor with just a bit of prodding and poking.
The doctor will then continue by interviewing the patient with a number of questions regarding his breasts in order to ascertain how long he’s had them and also what degree of tenderness he experiences.
In order to work out what is causing the patient’s Gynecomastia, the doctor will enquire about his medical history as well as any medication that he is taking.
It should be noted as well that while male breast cancer is more common than a lot of people think, these lumps in a man’s breast are usually not cancerous. However, as usual, if in doubt, contact your doctor as soon as possible in order to eliminate the possibility.
How is Gynecomastia Treated?
In most cases, Gynecomastia requires no treatment and will disappear quietly on its own.

However, in some cases, the treatment may depend upon the cause. For instance, if the cause is the medication being taken, then hopefully with a suitable alternative drug which will be just as effective.
In many cases, the reason for Gynecomastia is obesity. If the patient loses a amount of their weight through diet and exercise, then this will usually cure the Gynecomastia without the need for any kind of surgery.
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In a small number of cases, surgery is suggested to be the best option. Usually in these cases, the Gynecomastia is causing the patient a very high degree of psychological problems.
This surgery removes the glandular tissue or fat behind the breast in order to create a more masculine looking chest.
The surgery for Gynecomastia can sometimes be conducted under a local anaesthetic with some sedation and the patient treated as an out-patient. However, as with all surgery, whether it is low risk like this or high risk, there is always an element of risk. This can be excessive bleeding, fluid loss and problems associated with the anaesthesia. Therefore, the patient should be healthy and emotionally stable to reduce any complications and surgery risks. Be aware that there can also be a degree of scarring after the surgery.
As this surgery is usually considered cosmetic, it is often quite difficult to get financing or for the public health bodies to accept you as a patient. However, patients do sometimes get the funding required often after proving the psychological problems that this condition causes. Do consult your medical and insurance experts for professional advice.
Conclusion
Gynecomastia affects many men in varying degrees. The main problem from it, is the psychological problems associated with the embarrassment of having woman like breasts. For most, the solution is to lose weight or to wait for the body to develop further, however for some, the only way to cure this problem is by having breast reduction surgery.
Click here to get the exercise routines and Lose Man Boobs In 30 Days.
Disclaimer: The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
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