Why Teenagers & Young Men Struggle with Gynecomastia – and How Early Treatment Helps
Gynecomastia, which is enlargement of the breast in males, is becoming increasingly prevalent in teenagers and young men. With a prevalence ranging from 30% to 70%, it is the most common breast condition in males.
It can be physically uncomfortable, psychologically distressing and may have a negative impact on self-confidence and body image.
Read on to know more about what gynecomastia is, why early treatment is important and what safe treatment options are available.
Understanding Gynecomastia: What It Really Is
Gynecomastia is a benign condition characterized by enlargement of the male breast.
Symptoms of gynecomastia include the following:
- The most common symptoms of gynecomastia are enlarged breast mounds that can be painful or tender.
- The breast mounds may also feel rubbery or firm.
- Sensitive nipples when they rub against clothes.
The severity of gynecomastia is determined by specific gradings:
- Grade I: Small breast enlargement with a localized button of tissue that is concentrated around the areola.
- Grade II: Moderate breast enlargement exceeding areola boundaries with edges that are indistinct from the chest.
- Grade III: Moderate breast enlargement exceeding areola boundaries, with edges that are distinct from the chest.
- Grade IV: Marked breast enlargement and feminization of the breast.
Causes of Gynecomastia in Teenagers and Young Adults
Hormonal Imbalance and Puberty
- Gynecomastia can result from an imbalance between estrogens (female hormone) and androgens (male hormone). Androgen controls traits such as muscle mass and body hair. Estrogen controls traits that include the growth of breasts.
- Estrogen levels that are too high or are out of balance with testosterone levels can cause gynecomastia.
- Hormonal imbalance can result from
- Endocrine tumors: Testicular, adrenocortical or pituitary tumors
- Endocrine disorders: Hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism
- Gynecomastia can also be caused by the natural hormone changes during puberty.
Steroid or Medication-Induced Gynecomastia
- Several medications can cause gynecomastia such as:
- Drug-induced: Anabolic steroids or illicit drugs
- Cancer treatment: Androgen deprivation therapy for prostate cancer
- Antibiotics: Isoniazid, ketoconazole, metronidazole
- Blood pressure medication: Amlodipine, captopril, enalapril
- Psychiatric medication: Diazepam, haloperidol, antidepressants
- Ulcer medicines: Omeprazole
- Some illicit drugs: Cocaine, heroin and amphetamines, and other abused drugs, are commonly associated with gynecomastia.
Lifestyle and Weight Factors
- Pseudogynecomastia (fatty breasts) is commonly seen in obese males in which breast enlargement is due to increased fat deposition.
- Poor lifestyle habits such as over consumption of alcohol, cigarette smoking and unhealthy diets contribute to the development of gynecomastia
Emotional & Psychological Impact
Many males with gynecomastia are affected psychologically and emotionally.
Since gynaecomastia is inconsistent with typical male characteristics, it may lead to challenges during psychological growth and psychological stability. It might cause anxiety, reduced self-esteem, embarrassment, and depression. Patients in this age group are more vulnerable to psychological and peer pressure. Even mild gynecomastia can have adverse psychological effects in boys.
Breast development is considered a female trait and can lead to a sense of mis-indentification in men. Shame, perceived stigma, vulnerability, sadness, anxiety and loneliness are all associated with gynecomastia. It can result in avoidance of activities where the body is visible (such as going to the beach, swimming, etc) and difficulties in socialization and relationships.
Evidence from Research: Research has identified various psychological and emotional problems linked to gynaecomastia. This includes but is not limited to depression, anxiety, social phobia, suicidal thoughts, social withdrawal, school attendance issues, eating disorders, aggressive behavior, and significant disruptions in social and academic functioning.
It is a fact that gynecomastia represents a serious psychological challenge for many teenagers and young adult males.
How Early Surgery or Treatment Helps Recovery
Early intervention and treatment for gynecomastia may be necessary to improve the physical appearance as well as reduce the negative psychological and emotional symptoms.
Medical and surgical treatment of gynecomastia is beneficial for different psychosocial aspects and improvements in quality of life.
What research says: Several research studies reported improvement in quality of life and several psychological domains after treatment for gynecomastia. This includes improvements in emotional discomfort, limitations due to physical aspects and pain.
Therefore the impact of early medical or surgical treatment for gynecomastia seems to be beneficial for several physical and psychological domains. It also has effects on the long term outcome of gynecomastia.
When to see a doctor for early treatment of gynecomastia:
- Any increase in breast size (on one or both sides of the chest)
- More growth on one side of the chest than the other (uneven appearance)
- Changes in nipple appearance or any nipple discharge
- Tenderness in the chest area (may worsen with physical activity)
ALCS Jaipur’s Advanced Gynecomastia Correction
At ACLS Jaipur, we provide only the best and most advanced gynecomastia correction to treat your problem and live your life to the fullest. Our correction treatments comprise of medical treatment as well as surgical treatment that are selected and personalised according to the case.
Medical treatment of gynecomastia:
- Medical treatment of gynecomastia aims to correct the estrogen-androgen imbalance.
- It helps with blocking the effects of estrogens on the breast .
- Administration of androgens
- Inhibition of estrogen production
Surgical treatment of gynecomastia:
- When gynecomastia in adolescents persists for more than one year or when the gynecomastia in young males is moderate-severe, surgical treatment is to be selected.
- The goals of surgical treatment of gynecomastia are to achieve a pleasant chest shape with limited scar.
- The type of techniques and the choice of incision and procedure depends on the severity of breast enlargement, the presence of skin excess and surgeon and patient preference.
- The type of surgical treatment selected depends on the severity of the gynecomastia:
- Grade I: Mammectomy (surgical excision). Liposuction is not required.
- Grade II: Liposuction and surgical excision must be combined
- Grade III: Liposuction followed by double-circle incision mammary adenectomy
- Grade IV: Inverted T-shaped mammary resection
Advanced Gynecomastia Correction Surgery Techniques:
- Mastectomy
- It is done for significant gynecomastia.
- It involves breast removal, along with glandular tissue, and possibly fat and skin.
- Results: It improves chest contour significantly
- Laser Surgery
- It is done for mild to moderate gynecomastia
- It offers a less invasive option with reduced recovery times.
- Using laser energy, it liquefies and removes fat cells through minimal incision
- Results: It enhances chest contour with a quicker recovery. It is effective for fat reduction and skin tightening.
- Tissue Excision
- It is done for dense glandular tissue and/or significant breast skin excess.
- It is a precise surgery to remove breast tissue and excess skin, targeting fibrous tissue.
- Results: It results in a flatter, more traditionally masculine chest.
- It is done for removal of excess fatty tissue in gynecomastia
- It uses small incisions to vacuum out fat from the breasts.
- Results: It results in a contoured chest with enhanced definition.
- Combination (Liposuction and Tissue Excision)
- It is done when there is mixed fatty and glandular breast tissue
- It combines fat removal via liposuction with glandular tissue and skin excision for cosmetic improvement.
- Results: It results in a sculpted, masculine chest, beneficial for achieving optimal contour in mixed tissue types.
FAQs:
Can gynecomastia go away naturally in teens?
After puberty, gynaecomastia often goes away on its own in teenagers. However, the breast tissue typically becomes permanent if the disease persists for more than a year, and surgical correction may be required.
Is gynecomastia surgery permanent?
Gynaecomastia surgery typically results in long-lasting outcomes. The surgery helps achieve a flatter and more defined appearance by removing extra fat and swollen glandular tissue from the chest. Gynaecomastia usually does not recur as long as you keep a steady weight and treat the underlying reason.
How soon can young men resume workouts after surgery?
Within ten days following gynaecomastia surgery, the majority of patients can resume mild exercise or go back to the gym. However, chest-focused exercises should be avoided for two to four weeks. Patients can typically begin low-impact activities by week five or six, such as cycling or mild bodyweight exercises that don’t put strain on the chest. It is important to consult the surgeon to give the all-clear to resume regular exercise regimen, including chest exercises.
