Treatment of Gynaecomastia
Medically Reviewed by Dr Sravya, MBBS, MS
Introduction
Gynecomastia is diagnosed after a thorough study of your symptoms and a full treatment of gynaecomastia, which includes a careful assessment of your breast tissue, belly, and genital region. The treatment of gynecomastia typically involves surgical correction or hormonal therapy
tailored to the individual’s specific needs and underlying factors.
Your doctor will probably ask for the following tests to rule out other illnesses, screen for breast cancer, and discover potential causes of gynecomastia:
- A blood test
- Mammograms
- scans using a computerized tomography (CT)
- scans using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- ultrasounds of the testicles
- Biopsies of tissue
These diagnostic procedures are carried out to give a thorough assessment of your condition assist in identifying the underlying causes of gynecomastia, and help in the treatment of Gynecomastia.
Your doctor will place more emphasis on confirming that gynecomastia is the cause of breast swelling than any other condition. Similar symptoms can also be brought on by a variety of ailments, such as:
- Body fat in the breasts (pseudo gynecomastia): Boys and men who are overweight are more likely to develop excess breast fat that resembles gynecomastia. Although this is not categorized as gynecomastia, further testing is often not necessary.
- Breast cancer: Breast cancer can strike men despite being uncommon. A hard nodule or the existence of unilateral breast enlargement calls for further research and raises worries about male breast cancer.
- Breast abscess: This condition describes an infection that has spread to the breast tissue and can exhibit comparable signs and symptoms.
To provide an accurate diagnosis and the most effective course of treatment, it is critical for your doctor to distinguish between these illnesses.
Gynecomastia frequently disappears on its own without the need for medical intervention. Gynecomastia must be addressed and treated if an underlying condition such as hypogonadism, malnutrition, or cirrhosis is the root of the problem.
Your doctor might advise stopping the medicine or switching to an alternative if gynecomastia is thought to be caused by the medication.
The doctor may advise periodic reevaluations every three to six months to track the development of gynecomastia in adolescents when it doesn’t seem to be the result of the regular hormonal changes associated with puberty. Teenage gynecomastia generally resolves on its own within two years without the need for medical treatment.If gynecomastia doesn’t go away on its own or if it causes a lot of pain, soreness, or emotional distress, treatment can be necessary.
For some people with gynecomastia, certain drugs that are widely employed to treat breast cancer and other linked conditions may be advantageous.
These medicines include:
Aromatase inhibitors, such as tamoxifen (Soltamox) and anastrozole (Arimidex), Despite the FDA’s (Food and Drug Administration) approval of these medications, it’s vital to remember that the FDA has not yet approved them specifically for treating gynecomastia.
Treatment of gynecomastia
Your doctor could advise surgical surgery if your larger breasts remain and continue to give you severe suffering despite early treatment or observation.
- Gynecomastia can be surgically treated in two ways:
- With liposuction, extra breast fat is removed surgically while the tissue surrounding the breast glands is left unharmed.
- Mastectomy: During this type of surgery, the breast gland tissue is removed.
- Small incisions are frequently used during surgery, making it less intrusive and cutting down on recuperation time.
The specific conditions and the severity of the gynecomastia will determine the surgical procedure to be used. Your doctor will advise you on the strategy that is best for you.
Men who have big breasts may feel stressed out and ashamed. Gynecomastia has the potential to damage romantic relationships and can be difficult to conceal. It may make boys more vulnerable to mocking from their peers during puberty, and it may also put them in awkward situations while swimming or changing in locker rooms.
Type 1 Gynecomastia treatment without surgery
No matter your age, gynecomastia frequently causes you to feel betrayed by and dissatisfied with your body. Gynecomastia natural treatment options often include dietary changes and exercise.
These feelings are normal, but there are methods to deal with them and get help:
- Seek counseling: Talk therapy might help you manage the depression and anxiety that come with gynecomastia. In order to promote better understanding and support, a therapist can also help you communicate your experiences to your partner or family members in an efficient manner. Remember that getting expert assistance and mental support can significantly improve your general well-being and assist you in overcoming the difficulties caused by gynecomastia.
- Don't be afraid to ask your family and friends for help. Even while talking to them about gynecomastia could feel awkward or unpleasant, describing your issue and asking for their support can really improve your relationships and reduce stress. Keep in mind that others who care about you are likely to be sympathetic and willing to offer the support you require at this time. Sharing your experiences with others might help you build stronger bonds and a solid support network.
- Making connections with other people who have dealt with gynecomastia can be quite beneficial in helping you deal with your own problem. Speaking with males who have experienced similar things can be a source of encouragement and insightful discussion. You can interact with people who have the same illness online through forums and communities offered by websites like Gynecomastia.org. These online forums give you a place to talk about your experiences, get advice from others, and find people who actually get what you're going through.
Gynecomastia is a very typical disorder with a variety of underlying causes, from frequent tumors to regular physiological processes. The hormonal components must be thoroughly understood by healthcare professionals. Involved in breast development in order to identify the etiology of gynecomastia. Male breast tissue development depends on the interaction of estrogen, growth hormone (GH), and IGF-1, much like female breast growth. The balance between estrogen and androgens in males is important, and any illness or medicine that throws off this equilibrium and results in a higher estrogen-to-androgen ratio might cause gynecomastia.
The diagnosis of gynecomastia requires a thorough medical history and physical examination due to the wide range of probable reasons, including the possibility of a tumor. After a diagnosis is made, the main strategy is to treat the underlying cause. Close monitoring may be necessary
when there is no underlying reason found. If gynecomastia has just started and is severe, medical therapy might be tried first. Surgical excision of the glandular tissue may be an option if medicinal treatment is unsuccessful.
Gynecomastia, or the growth of breast tissue in boys, can naturally take place at three different stages of life. Both in males and females, the first phase begins soon after birth. During this time, the mother’s increased production of the fetal hormones estradiol and progesterone stimulates the growth of the newborn’s breast tissue. Additionally, the rise in luteinizing hormone (LH) causes androgen aromatization and the increased conversion of steroid hormone precursors to sex steroids. Neonatal gynecomastia can therefore, last for a few weeks after delivery and be
accompanied by a creamy breast discharge known as “witch’s milk.”
The second stage of gynecomastia’s potential occurrence as a typical physiological process is puberty. By the age of 14, over 60% of boys have gynecomastia that may be clinically detected. Gynecomastia in adolescence is normally bilateral, but it can sometimes be unilateral and frequently exhibits asymmetries.
While androgens have an anti-proliferative effect on breast tissue, estrogen is necessary for guys to develop breasts. As a result, mature males maintain a careful balance between estrogen and androgens to prevent excessive breast tissue growth. Any departure from this equilibrium, such as a rise in estrogen levels or a fall in androgen levels, can throw the system out of whack and put people at risk for developing gynecomastia.