Physical appearance is a very important factor in the confidence of people. For men, it is their athletic disposition, muscular body, and fitness that add to their confidence. For women, it is their features and figure that does the same. At times, men also develop enlarged breasts that result in loss of confidence. Those who suffer from Gynecomastia can benefit from the following useful tips.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia results in the enlargement of the glandular tissues in men’s or boys’ breasts, which in turn causes tenderness in the nipples and discomfort. It is said to occur during infancy, adolescence, or middle to old age. It should not be confused with fat deposits due to being overweight. Most of the time, it is cured on its own without any medication. However, in certain severe cases treatment is required. If it is a symptom of any health issue, treating the health issue automatically treats gynecomastia.
Common Causes of Gynecomastia
Usually, hormones like androgens i.e. testosterone are considered male hormones, and estrogens as female hormones, both the sexes produce these hormones. In males, the androgens are predominant and in females, the estrogens are dominant. When there is an imbalance of these hormones in men, i.e. an increase in estrogens and a decrease in androgens, gynecomastia occurs.
Gynecomastia Diagnosis
Gynecomastia is often confused with pseudo gynecomastia or lipomastia which is an enlargement of the breasts due to fat deposits. You need to undergo certain tests to diagnose gynecomastia. Among many other tests, the gynecomastia pinch test is used for the correct diagnosis of the condition. A physical examination and blood tests are also carried out for a correct diagnosis.
Treatment
The treatment needed for gynecomastia depends on the duration, cause, and severity of the condition. The doctor also needs to consider whether you feel any discomfort or any pain.
● Adolescents
Most of the time, pubertal gynecomastia gets cured on its own with time. It does not need any specific medication or treatment. In the case of boys suffering from severe gynecomastia that causes embarrassment, drugs like tamoxifen or raloxifene can be prescribed.
● Adult Men
In adults, separate treatment is not recommended if the condition is a symptom of some other health issue. When the underlying health condition is treated, gynecomastia automatically gets cured.
● Prostate Cancer Patients
The hormonal treatment given to patients suffering from prostate cancer causes gynecomastia as a side effect. Fortunately, there are other treatment options also available which do not cause gynecomastia.
Tamoxifen
Tamoxifen can be included in prostate cancer treatment to prevent gynecomastia. Tamoxifen taken daily along with prostate cancer treatment reduces the chances of breast enlargement.
Radiation
Radiation can help people proactively deal with Gynecomastia. Undergoing radiation therapy before going in for antiandrogen treatment for prostate cancer ensures to a certain degree that men will not develop gynecomastia. Radiation can be given in three sittings.
Surgery
In the case of men whose breast tissue is not tender or who have been suffering from the condition for more than a year, treatment using the drug is not effective. In these types of cases, surgery is needed to reduce the size of the breasts.
At the slightest sign of an increase in breast size, it is advisable to consult a medical practitioner for the correct diagnosis and treatment. Never come to a conclusion on your own. A proper medical consultation is a must to accurately diagnose the severity of the condition, the cause, and the treatment to be followed.
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