Breast formation in men: causes and treatment
Do you like to cool off at the pool or beach on hot days? But would you rather keep your T-shirt on there because you’re embarrassed about the breasts you’ve developed over the years? Fortunately, we can treat excessive breast development (or gynecomastia) in men so that you dare to show your upper body again without embarrassment.
Gynecomastia as a natural phenomenon
The cause of excessive breast development in men (gynecomastia) depends on age. In infants, at puberty and in men over 50, it is a natural phenomenon. An imbalance between estrogen the testosterone then causes glandular tissue to grow on one or both breasts. In babies and adolescents, natural, harmless breast swelling disappears on its own in most cases.
In older men, breast growth is a logical consequence of the fact that they produce less male hormone and more female hormone. In their case, the swelling usually no longer disappears on its own. These men may choose to have the excess breast tissue surgically removed for aesthetic reasons.
Other causes of breast formation
Breast growth in men between, say, 16 and 50 years of age more often has a less innocent cause. Obesity is the most obvious, but certain medications, drugs, anabolic steroids or dietary supplements can also promote breast growth. In rare cases, liver, kidney or thyroid disease or a tumor in the adrenal or testicular gland is at the root. Provided proper treatment or modification of medication or lifestyle can address the problem. If that is not sufficient, then again, surgical intervention is possible to remove the swelling of the breasts.
What does breast formation in men look like?
This can vary enormously, from a small flat, round, elastic swelling behind the nipple to a full breast like in women, with all the variations in between. Often it is mostly fatty tissue, sometimes glandular tissue. There may be too much skin with the nipple sitting too low and a fold under the breast. Sometimes it is one-sided, often it is double-sided. The breast may be painful or sensitive, and sometimes it is accompanied by fluid loss from the nipple. An examination by the doctor can distinguish gynecomastia, pseudogynaecomastia (growth of fatty tissue) and breast cancer.
How do we treat breast formation in men?
The treatment of gynecomastia depends on the type of breast formation, the quality of the skin and the position of the nipple. Possible treatments include:
- The surgical removal of the glandular disk through a small incision along the lower edge of the areola.
- removal of excess fatty tissue via liposuction
- excision of excess skin with underlying fat and glandular tissue
The first two treatments leave little scarring, and after a few months the swelling is gone and the skin is tightened. The last treatment may leave more scars, but you will be rid of the disturbing excess skin.
Interested in our treatment of gynecomastia?
We’ll tell you all about it during a consultation at Duinbergen Clinic. Request an appointment with us here.