What Is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the enlargement or inflammation of male breasts where extra fat is accumulated in your chest region. In simple terms, it is a problem where excess fat gets accumulated on your chest. It is common in men and unfortunately, most men prefer not to talk about it.
Gynecomastia is a prevalent condition and nearly 60% of men who experience this condition are above the age of 44. If you are a healthy man with normal height and weight, you may still be suffering from this problem. Some masses of fat tissue may have accumulated in your chest area making you uneasy and uncomfortable. If you are anxious, you may want to get it checked by your doctor.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
For most men, enlarged breasts can be embarrassing and shameful. They do not realise that it is a medical condition that can be treated. Advanced medical treatments can help you get rid of the accumulated fat in your chest.
The causes and leading factors of gynecomastia include:
- Hormonal imbalances
- Kidney failure
- Various liver diseases
- Due to the problem of malnutrition
- Anabolic steroids
- Several types of street drugs like marijuana, amphetamines, weed, heroin, etc
It might come as a surprise to many that essential oils can also lead to gynecomastia. More specifically, if you regularly use tea tree and lavender oil, there is a high risk of suffering from the condition. There are specific elements in these oils that activate estrogenic and antiandrogenic hormones in your body. These hormones trigger the accumulation of fat and enlarge your breasts, which in turn lead to gynecomastia. While essential oils offer a lot of benefits, you might want to reconsider using tea tree oil and lavender oil.
What Are The Drugs That Cause Gynecomastia?
Did you know prescription drugs can also lead to gynecomastia? We consume medicines and drugs to treat various conditions and ailments. Unfortunately, we are unaware of the side effects of various drugs, especially those medicines that pose a high risk for gynecomastia. However, if you are a man and have breasts that are larger than they should be, you must consider checking the side effects of the prescription medicines you take.
Certain medications reduce the body’s ability to produce testosterone and in turn lead to gynecomastia. Some medicines even trigger testicular damage and block the testosterone synthesis in your body. All these conditions hamper the balance of hormones in your body and increase the risk of various health conditions.
The types of drugs that may cause gynecomastia are listed below.
- Psychoactive drugs which include antidepressants, antipsychotic agents, medicines for various infectious diseases and more
- Various cardiac and antihypertensive medications such as ACE inhibitors, calcium blockers, alpha-blockers, and nitrates
- Certain street drugs and abuse drugs harm your body and disturb the equal balance of your body hormones. These types of recreational drugs are heroin, marijuana, amphetamines, etc.
So, if you are suffering from gynecomastia and feel ashamed of going shirtless in public, you must avoid these drugs.
Can Surgery Treat Gynecomastia?
Breast reduction surgery is one of the most sought-after procedures to permanently treat gynecomastia. Despite having a normal weight, a balanced diet, and control of alcohol, you may fail to reduce the size of your breasts. In such cases, you must consider undergoing breast reduction surgery. It is a surgical procedure that reduces the size of the breasts to make them aesthetically pleasing.
Liposuction is another type of medical procedure that removes excess fat from several parts of the body. It is a cosmetic procedure that can be used to reduce the size of your breasts and to give a natural look to your chest.
SAFELipo is another medical procedure used to treat gynecomastia. It is a smoother and softer process than liposuction. It is very soft and gentle for your body and is perfect for those who can’t take massive and lengthy downtime.
Is Gynecomastia Surgery Right For You?
It is important to find out whether you are the right candidate for gynecomastia surgery. To undergo this cosmetic surgery, you are required to have normal body weight, good health, and stable development of your breast. Also, your inner strength, self-confidence, and will power will play an important role in making you a perfect fit for the surgery.
