What Causes Gynecomastia?
- Posted on: Jun 30 2023
Gynecomastia is an increased amount of glandular tissue in men. While this is common in women and is part of natural breast growth, it usually isn’t in men. Gynecomastia isn’t a medical concern, but it can be embarrassing or frustrating for men with enlarged breasts. Lots of men with gynecomastia decide to receive male breast reduction to fix their condition. That being said, let’s take a look at what causes gynecomastia so you can better understand the condition.
Causes of Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is caused by a lack of testosterone and an elevated level of estrogen. This means gynecomastia is almost exclusively caused by an issue with hormones. Let’s delve into some common reasons hormones become imbalanced and can cause gynecomastia.
Puberty
Puberty is a time of large hormonal changes. It’s not uncommon for men to have gynecomastia during this time. However, in most cases, the gynecomastia is mild and will actually go away on its own. Gynecomastia from puberty usually doesn’t last for more than two years.
Medication and Steroids
Medication is a large cause of gynecomastia. Lots of medication can affect our hormones, and these hormonal shifts can cause gynecomastia. This is especially true if you’re taking the medication for a long period of time. Some types of medication that can cause enlarged breasts in men are tricyclic antidepressants, antibiotics, chemotherapy, certain anti-anxieties, AIDS medication, anti-androgens, ulcer medications, and more.
Anabolic steroids are often used to treat certain medical conditions. However, anabolic steroids are also used for muscle growth in sports like bodybuilding. Anabolic steroids heavily change hormones and often lead to gynecomastia. That is why it is not uncommon to see high-level bodybuilders who take anabolic steroids have gynecomastia.
Male Breast Reduction
While gynecomastia can go away during puberty, gynecomastia is usually here to stay. Thankfully, male breast reductions exist to remove the glandular tissue and get rid of gynecomastia. Dr. Sachin M. Shridharani provides male breast reduction services and believes every man should have a chest he’s proud of. That’s why Dr. Shridharani is dedicated to providing treatments customized to your needs.
Dr. Shridharani is recognized as an international authority on aesthetic plastic surgery treatments and techniques and wants to provide that level of expertise and care to your treatments. Contact Dr. Shridharani’s office at 212-508-0000 to take the first step toward the chest you deserve.
Posted in: Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction), Male Aesthetic Surgery
