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What is the Most Common Treatment for Gynecomastia?

D. Jeffress
D. Jeffress

Gynecomastia is a fairly common condition that involves enlargement of breast tissue in males. Most cases result from an imbalance in androgen and estrogen hormones due to a glandular disorder, steroid use, medication side effects, or cancer treatments. Since hormone levels fluctuate during puberty, it is often seen in boys between the ages of 10 and 18. When a specific cause is known, doctors can consider medications to boost androgen or suppress estrogen levels. Liposuction or breast reduction surgery is considered if medication proves an ineffective treatment for gynecomastia.

Treatment for gynecomastia is not always recommended for pubescent boys, as the condition often goes away on its own over the course of about three years. Hormones tend to come back into balance following puberty, and breast tissue becomes less prominent. If the condition worsens or persists for several years, doctors can conduct a series of tests to determine if a patient has an underlying medical problem.

Unusually large breasts in men is known as gynecomastia.
Unusually large breasts in men is known as gynecomastia.

Hypogonadism, a deficiency in testosterone and androgen production, is a common cause of gynecomastia in boys and adult males. Patients with the condition can usually benefit from medical remedies that stimulate testosterone production. Transdermal replacement therapy involves applying a patch or a gel to the skin that contains synthetic testosterone, which is continually released into the body to raise testosterone levels and promote higher natural hormone production. Parenteral therapy involves injecting testosterone directly into the body. With consistent treatment for gynecomastia, the breasts tend to shrink gradually over the course of several months or years.

Liposuction or breast reduction surgeries are possible treatments for gynecomastia.
Liposuction or breast reduction surgeries are possible treatments for gynecomastia.

If estrogen levels are higher than usual, treatment for gynecomastia usually entails daily oral medications to help regulate the hormone. Clomiphene is a drug that increases gonadotropin production in the pituitary gland, hormones that help to stabilize estrogen levels. Tamoxifen acts as an estrogen antagonist, preventing the hormone from stimulating breast tissue growth. These medications have proven very effective at relieving problems in as little as three months in most patients.

Treating gynecomastia may include treating a hormone imbalance in the pituitary gland.
Treating gynecomastia may include treating a hormone imbalance in the pituitary gland.

When medications are insufficient, surgical treatment for gynecomastia can be considered as well. Reduction mammoplasty, which is usually performed by a plastic surgeon, involves physically excising excess breast tissue. Liposuction is another option if high levels of fatty tissue are present in the breasts. It is possible for the breasts to begin growing again following such procedures, but most patients do not experience lasting problems. Occasionally, a surgeon will choose to perform a mastectomy to remove one or both breasts entirely, thereby preventing the condition from recurring.

Discussion Comments

stoneMason

My brother had a mastectomy for gynecomastia. He was very apprehensive about the procedure beforehand but everything went great and he's very happy with the results. His physical appearance has changed so much, it's like night and day.

He only had the excess tissue removed however, so he is getting check-ups regularly to make sure that his hormones are not in imbalance. He obviously does not want to experience gynecomastia again. It has been a year though and there are no changes so everything is looking good. Men who want a mastectomy need to make sure that their gynecomastia causes are dealt with first.

discographer

@ZipLine-- I'm not an expert on this topic and I certainly wouldn't want to give you wrong information. So talk to a doctor about this.

I think that whether gynecomastia can be reversed with hormonal therapy depends on several factors. It depends on the age of the male, the cause of the gynecomastia and how bad the gynecomastia is.

In some cases, hormonal therapy might work. In others, surgery might be necessary. For example, if gynecomastia is due to a hormonal imbalance and if it's caught in the early stages, hormonal therapy might reverse it.

Even doctors cannot tell you which treatment of gynecomastia is suitable for you without a thorough examination. I suggest seeing a doctor right away.

ZipLine

So gynecomastia in adult men can be reversed with hormonal therapy? I'm very happy to hear about this. I thought that the only solution to gynecomastia was surgery.

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    • Unusually large breasts in men is known as gynecomastia.
      By: semmickphoto
      Unusually large breasts in men is known as gynecomastia.
    • Liposuction or breast reduction surgeries are possible treatments for gynecomastia.
      By: Kot63
      Liposuction or breast reduction surgeries are possible treatments for gynecomastia.
    • Treating gynecomastia may include treating a hormone imbalance in the pituitary gland.
      By: CLIPAREA.com
      Treating gynecomastia may include treating a hormone imbalance in the pituitary gland.
    • Excessive consumption of alcohol may cause gynecomastia.
      By: ambrozinio
      Excessive consumption of alcohol may cause gynecomastia.
    • Treatment for gynecomastia may involve medication.
      By: milosducati
      Treatment for gynecomastia may involve medication.
    • Men with gynecomastia may experience sensitivity around the nipples.
      By: Irena Misevic
      Men with gynecomastia may experience sensitivity around the nipples.