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Symptoms of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is the enlargement of the male breasts with or without milk production. It is a fairly common disorder that occurs in one or both breasts at the onset of puberty or can be the result of an underlying medical disorder such as a hormonal imbalance. In pubescent teens, the condition is usually temporary and corrects itself in about one year; however, in the event that this condition appears to be a permanent bodily change, it may be corrected with surgery. Gynecomastia should not be confused with pseudogynecomastia, which is the enlargement of one or both of the male breasts due to the accumulation of body fat.

  1. Symptoms

    • The main symptom of this disorder is simply a marked enlargement of the male breast accompanied by milk production or a lack thereof. Pain may be present around the aureola. Symptoms may subside on their own without any treatment. Emotional distress and embarrassment is typically indicated by most patients as a motivator for seeking treatment.

    Causes

    • According to healthscout.com, gynecomastia can be the result of a hormonal imbalance. Certain medications containing steroids or the hormone estrogen can also be the culprit behind this condition. In the case of heavy drinkers, the liver may be impaired, and therefore unable to counteract the estrogen that is found naturally in the male body in very small quantities.

      This condition can also signal that a testicular tumor has developed, which requires immediate medical attention. Tumors that secrete hormones and are found in organs such as the lungs or breasts are sometimes the cause of the condition. This is less likely, but is a possibility. Patients with Klinefelter's syndrome have a higher incidence of gynecomastia. Drug use can also cause the onset of this condition.

    Treatment

    • If this appears to be a permanent bodily change, surgery is an option, but the patient should be well examined and a full history should be taken before a final decision is made to proceed with surgery. If medication is to blame, a change may be necessary. Hormone replacement therapy may be an option.

    Questions to Ask

    • It is important to be aware of this issue and know to know as much about it as possible, which is why the patient should ask their family physician important questions before ever deciding on a method of treatment. Some important questions to consider are as follows: Is this pseudogynecomastia or gynecomastia? What has caused this disorder? What are the available treatments? Could this be linked to any other disorders or illnesses? Could this be related to a hormonal problem? Could my medication be the cause? Is surgery a viable option?

    Physical Aides

    • Some items called compression vests that are sometimes worn by males with gynecomastia. These help to flatten the chest and give a more masculine appearance. These can very easily be ordered online and shipped to a residence for confidentiality.

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