How to know if you have gynecomastia or pseudo-gynecomastia?

Gone are the days when fashion and wellbeing were tagged with elitism. Today, it is not just the movie stars or influencers that want to look good, but all, irrespective of their walk of life. Fashion is an everyday thing where all want to look at their best. Today’s men and women pay a lot of heed to their appearance from tip to toe. Every tiny detail is given ample time and attention to give them the confidence needed to push life forward. Gynecomastia is a growing concern with men as it hinders both their physical and mental wellbeing. Let’s take a deeper look at what gynecomastia is and how it impacts men.

 

 

What is Gynecomastia?

 

 

In simple terms, enlarged male breasts are referred to as gynecomastia or ‘man boobs’. It is also referred to as ‘male gyno’. This health condition is usually caused by the excess production of the female hormone estrogen and a decrease in the production of testosterone, the male hormone. In a healthy man, higher levels of testosterone produced by the body will suppress the production of estrogen which then helps to stop breast tissue from growing. Unfortunately, in some men especially during puberty and towards 50 years of age, there is an imbalance in the hormone which leads to gynecomastia. Men are often subject to be being under-confident and bullied by peers and colleagues because of the condition.

What is pseudo-gynecomastia?

Some men do experience enlarged breasts that are a result of excess adipose or fat tissues in and around the area of the breasts. This gives the individual the appearance of having man-boobs. Though there are medical complications or impact for the same, it is still a real concern to many. The pseudo-gynecomastia causes similar psychological impact as it does in gynecomastia.

How to tell if you have gynecomastia or pseudo-gynecomastia?

You must be wondering about how one could differentiate between gynecomastia and pseudo-gynecomastia. In gynecomastia, the breast region would have a large area that is firm to touch because of the glandular tissues especially around the areola (pigmented skin around the nipple). It would also be painful to touch, hypersensitive or tender and cause discomfort. The breasts could also be uneven in case of gynecomastia with one appearing larger than the other. In pseudo-gynecomastia, there is no specific discomfort such as pain, swelling and discomfort. The breasts would appear similar in size without any tenderness. In pseudo-gynecomastia, the major cause of concern is the look of the breasts because of its enlargement. Individuals with pseudo-gynecomastia usually seek medical help to resize the breast and improve chest contour and overall appearance.

Often breast enlargement in men impacts the individual’s confidence and mental wellbeing. It is important to seek the help of a qualified professional to diagnose your condition and provide appropriate treatment.

What are the causes of gynecomastia?

As mentioned earlier, the primary cause for gynecomastia is hormonal imbalance, with not enough testosterone being produced. Apart from this, various other factors too contribute to the condition. Some of them include:

• Smoking
• Consumption of drugs such as marijuana
• Side effects from certain medications
• Certain foods that are high of estrogen may increase the symptoms
• Medical conditions such as liver diseases, diabetes, renal disorders that cause hormonal imbalance

What are the symptoms that indicate gynecomastia?

The key signs and symptoms that one must look for in gynecomastia include:

• Enlarged breasts in men
• Swelling of the breasts
• Enlarged male nipples
• Pain
• Discharge from the nipples
• Tenderness

What are the types of gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia can be classified based on how glandular, fatty and sagging the breasts are. Glandular gynecomastia is caused by hormonal imbalance; fatty gynecomastia is pseudo-gynecomastia caused by excess fat tissues. The third type of gynecomastia is usually characterized by sagging breasts. This could be a result of weight loss where the chest muscles are not toned and require medical help such as surgery.

What is the treatment for gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia needs a little to no treatment if individuals do not have concerns or discomfort. In some cases, the gynecomastia could heal by itself, especially among teenage boys. The treatment for gynecomastia includes:

• lifestyle and dietary changes to boost the production of testosterone
• Surgical interventions

The most common aesthetic procedure done for gynecomastia includes liposuction and surgical excision. Liposuction is performed on individuals with lesser glandular tissue and more of accumulation of adipose tissues. The primary aim of this technique is to remove fat from the region by way of suction. A cannula (thin tube) is inserted by making small incision which extracts fat from the site.

In individuals who have excessive glandular tissue, surgical excision is the most optimal treatment option. Excess breast tissue is removed and the nipples are repositioned by way of this procedure. A qualified surgeon would be the right person to assess the individual’s condition and suggest the right technique.

Moreover, staying away from alcohol consumption, smoking, avoiding the use of steroids, drugs and unwanted medications can help with preventing the occurrence of gynecomastia.

Are there any risks in undergoing treatment for gynecomastia?

Like in all invasive procedures, there are risks involved with the treatment of gynecomastia. Some of the major concerns/risks with surgical treatments for gynecomastia include bleeding, scarring, infection, gangrene and others.

While gynecomastia remains harmless and without discomfort in most cases, it is important to consult a professional if help is required. Appropriate assessment and treatment of the condition could help relieve physical and mental concerns. It is important for patients to understand that it is absolutely fine to experience growing boobs and seek medical support.

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Do you have man boobs or just a fat chest?

To differentiate between man boobs/gynecomastia and pseudo-gynecomastia one must look for symptoms such as breast tenderness, pain, swelling, uneven size of the breasts, nipple swelling and discharge. Individuals must consult a doctor if they have the mentioned symptoms. In the case of the fat chest, there is hardly any discomfort or pain and mostly just fat accumulation in the breasts

2. What are the stages of gynecomastia?

The stages of gynecomastia are defined by the changes to the glandular tissues. In stage 1, minor enlargement of the breasts occurs without too much excess skin. The changes are too small and often does not cause a significant difference to the appearance. In stage two, there will be moderate enlargement without excess tissue deposit which then moves on to moderate enlargement with excess skin. In stage 3, the enlargement is noticeable almost similar to sagging skin tissues as in the case of female breasts.

3. How long will gynecomastia last?

Gynecomastia that occurs in newborns and adolescents usually subside on its own in a few weeks to about a year’s time. Gynecomastia that occurs at adulthood or during the late 50s has a higher chance of staying as is.

4. Can you get rid of gynecomastia without surgery?

One does not need treatment for gynecomastia if the concerns are negligible. Most cases of gynecomastia subside in less than 2 years of time. It is important to stick to a good diet, lifestyle and to stay away from smoking, alcohol, drugs and unnecessary medications to help gynecomastia heal on its own.

5. Is gynecomastia bad for your health?

Gynecomastia does not pose a significant risk to the individual’s health and could be treated only if essential. If there is excess pain, discharge, swelling or embarrassment due to the condition, it is advised to seek medical help.

6. How can I stop my gynecomastia from growing?

There is hardly little that a person could do to stop the growth of breast tissues if the underlying cause is hormonal fluctuations during adolescence or old age. It is quite common to have gynecomastia during this stage. A doctor could help if the condition persists and causes discomfort or embarrassment.

7. Is turmeric good for gynecomastia?

Turmeric could help improve the hormone levels in the body but must be taken with caution. It is important to consult a doctor before trying out any home remedy for gynecomastia as it is important to rule out negative impacts of taking turmeric especially if you are an individual with gall bladder stones.

8. Is gynecomastia a sign of low testosterone?

Yes, gynecomastia is an indication of lower production of testosterone in the body. The decreased level of testosterone and an increase in estrogen causes the condition.

9. Can I get rid of gynecomastia with exercise?

It is easier to treat pseudo-gynecomastia with exercise as one could work on the adipose tissues to lose fat and improve chest contour. In the case of gynecomastia, one must consult a doctor for the right treatment options. Exercise could help improve the condition by working on the overall wellbeing of the person while it might not completely cure the condition.

10. Does gynecomastia get worse over time?

Gynecomastia does get worse with time and ageing. If left untreated, men could experience similar breast sagging that women deal with as they age. Moreover, weight gain and reduction of skin firmness with age will add to the condition getting worse.

11. Can you get gynecomastia twice?

If a person has got gynecomastia due to medical conditions such as illnesses relating to the pituitary gland, there is a high chance of the condition recurring.

12. Can endocrinologist help with gynecomastia?

A doctor could suggest the individual visit an endocrinologist if the causes for gynecomastia are hormone-related and if there are chances of treating it using medications.

13. What is the most common cause of gynecomastia?

The most common cause of gynecomastia is reduced production testosterone that does not suppress estrogen.

14. Can losing weight reduce gynecomastia?

Since the primary cause for gynecomastia is hormonal, losing weight can only help to a small extent.

15. Is gynecomastia genetic?

There is little evidence to gynecomastia being genetic. Individuals suffer from gynecomastia mainly due to hormonal imbalances and less often due to genetic reasons.

16. Does gynecomastia come back after surgery?

A gyno surgery usually provides long-lasting results with no re-occurrence of the condition. However, in some people, the condition can come back post-surgery.