Understanding Gynecomastia: Could You Need Male Breast Reduction?

Male breast reductionMaintaining a healthy and positive body image can significantly affect one’s mental health. From quality exercise and a nutritious diet to making better overall lifestyle choices, there is a lot that you can do to bolster your self-image. Likewise, there are just as many factors that can negatively affect your body image. One such issue that isn’t discussed as comfortably and openly as it should be is gynecomastia and the male breast reduction procedures that are often required to correct it.

Gynecomastia is an enlargement (often disproportionate) of the male breasts. As you can imagine, for many men, this can be a concerning and disheartening development. Thankfully, cosmetic surgeons are able to reverse the effects of gynecomastia through a simple male breast reduction procedure—though more often than not, this issue can be resolved through medications and lifestyle changes that address the root causes of the problem.

That leads to an important question: “What causes men to develop gynecomastia?” Here are a few answers:

Aging and Hormonal Imbalances

As men age, their testosterone levels tend to taper off and decrease over time naturally. This can lead to a higher likelihood of developing gynecomastia and a need for male breast reduction. Furthermore, additional hormonal imbalances can exacerbate a loss or shift in testosterone.

Certain Prescription Medications

As those of you who have been or are currently on prescription medications they often come with a handful of side effects. For many, this can lead to the development of gynecomastia. This occurs commonly with antidepressants, antianxiety medications, and a variety of heart, stomach, and diuretic medicines.

If these medications are supplementary and not wholly necessary, the effects of gynecomastia may be naturally reversed by ceasing their ingestion. Of course, in cases where they are essential and life-saving, male breast reduction may be of help.

Chronic Illness and Health Conditions

Finally, there are a slew of health conditions that can cause gynecomastia to develop. A few of these conditions or illnesses often include:

  • Failure of the liver or kidneys
  • Chronic kidney disease
  • Hyperthyroidism
  • Tumors in organs such as the liver, stomach, lungs, and kidneys

First-Class Male Breast Reduction in Worcester, MA

Don’t let the infrequently discussed nature of male breast reduction stop you from improving your body image—call UMASS Memorial Medical Group at 508-334-5990. Their surgeons offer their industry-leading cosmetic surgery in Worcester and Cape Cod, MA, as well as their surrounding areas.

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