Gynecomastia is a condition in which males have abnormally large breasts. It is the most common male breast disorder, affecting more than 50% of males. There are several factors that can cause this condition such as excess female hormones, testicular tumors, Klinefelter syndrome, and steroid use. This condition is prevalent in body builders due to their increased steroid use. The influx of testosterone causes their body to react by creating more female hormones and thus they develop gynecomastia.
There are two different types of gynecomastia: true and pseudo. True gynecomastia is when the male presents with enlarged glandular tissue and pseudo gynecomastia is when there is excess adipose (fat) tissue. These two types require slightly different treatments. True gynecomastia is surgically treated with an excision of the glandular tissue. The amount of glandular tissue removed can be tricky. Too much glandular tissue removed can result in areola thinning and depression of the area whereas too little excision can cause recurrence. Pseudo gynecomastia is also treated surgically but with liposuction.
Gynecomastia is a treatable condition for men with self-confidence issues or those who are seeking an aesthetic goal in mind. This condition can be emasculating and difficult to talk about amongst men and young adults, but its increased awareness can help men seek treatment. An increased awareness around this condition can make treatment less taboo.
If you’re considering booking a consultation for treatment with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Kim, contact our clinic at 312-694-0879 or through the request form in the header.