Well, not really!
But before talking about the treatment, let’s understand a little about gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia is a condition characterized by enlarged or overdeveloped breast tissue in boys or men. As a result, the breasts may grow unevenly or become larger.
The condition is usually seen in teenage boys when they undergo hormonal changes. However, it can also affect newborn babies and men.
Most cases of gynecomastia do not need treatment or can be managed by hormonal therapy. But if surgery is the option for you, there are numerous Orange County Gynecomastia centers that can assist you.
All in all, the ideal treatment option depends on the cause of your problem.
Let’s understand more about gynecomastia, its causes, symptoms, and when surgery may be needed.
Causes of Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a noncancerous condition linked to various causes, including:
- Hormonal changes: The most common cause of gynecomastia is altered levels of the male hormone testosterone and the female hormone estrogen.
- Medicines: Gynecomastia may be a side effect of medicines such as antibiotics, antidepressants, and anabolic steroids.
- Health conditions: Certain medical disorders can cause gynecomastia, including kidney diseases, liver disorders, cancer of the testicles, and congenital disorders.
In addition, newborn babies may have transient gynecomastia because of the mother’s estrogen in the baby’s blood.
Symptoms of Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts. It usually presents as fatty tissue or a lump beneath the nipple, which may or may not be sore. The breast(s) may have uneven growth.
Some common symptoms include:
- Swollen breasts
- Breast tenderness
- Breast discharge
How is Gynecomastia Diagnosed?
Your doctor may take your past and current medicine and health history. They will also run a physical check on you.
The physician may even recommend some tests to rule out other conditions with similar symptoms, such as:
- Urine tests
- Blood tests, including hormone and liver studies
- Mammogram (x-ray of the chest)
- Biopsy (removal of a small piece of tissue to examine it for cancer cells)
Treatment
The doctor decides the best treatment option based on the mentioned factors:
- Your age
- Your present and past health condition
- How well you can tolerate certain therapies or medicines
- Your opinion or preference
Some gynecomastia cases, especially those that occur during puberty, settle on their own. They may take anywhere between six months and three years to resolve.
In cases where medicine is the cause, the doctor may recommend you stop the medicine and prescribe an alternative. If an underlying disease is a cause, treating the condition may help resolve breast enlargement.
Medicines that improve the hormonal balance may help in cases of hormonal problems.
However, if the fatty tissue is the cause of gynecomastia, surgery can help remove glandular tissue and excess breast fat.
Surgery can also be an option if it affects one’s psychological health, causing low self-esteem, embarrassment, and even depression.
Orange County Gynecomastia centers can offer specialized gynecomastia procedures, especially in cases where the diet and a robust exercise regimen were found to be ineffective.
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