Gynaecomastia
You may be familiar with the term 'Male Breasts.' Well, the medical term for male breast is 'Gynaecomastia.' The term comes from Greek 'gyne' meaning 'woman' and 'mastos' meaning 'breast.' Now you can have a quick look on what exactly male breasts are.
The causes of Gynaecomastia:
- Newborn (due to female hormones from the mother in the infant)
- Congenital absence of testes
- Adolescence
- Obesity
- Tumours (like testicular tumours, adrenal tumours)
- Genetic disorders (like Klinefelter's syndrome)
- Chronic liver disease
- Side effects of many medications (like anabolic steroids, gonadotrophins, antipsychotics)
- Trauma
- Castration
- Aging (associated with low testosterone levels)
Gynaecomastia may appear as?
- Adolescent Gynaecomastia, which is typically evident by the age of 9 to 14 years in boys. In some cases it may regress with age but some severe forms of adolescent gynaecomastia may require treatment
- Adult Gynaecomastia, which is the most common form composed of glandular tissue but may contain varying quantities of adipose and fibrous tissue
- Puffy Gynaecomastia, where the glandular tissue accumulation is concentrated under the areola or can be slightly extended outside the areola giving a dome shaped appearance to the areola
- Pure Glandular Gynaecomastia, which is usually found in bodybuilders, may be due to the result of the use of anabolic steroids. Excision of the breast tissue may be the choice of treatment in such cases
- Asymmetric Gynaecomastia, also known as unilateral gynaecomastia, occurs when only one breast is larger due to gynaecomastia and the other breast is normal in both size and shape
- Bilateral Asymmetry Gynaecomastia, which occurs when gynaecomastia is present in both the breasts
- Severe Gynaecomastia is characterized by severely enlarged breasts. This is usually found in people with advancing age as older people tend to have less skin elasticity, and thus, will have a greater abundance of loose skin related to gynaecomastia. Surgical excision is the preferred choice of treatment. Some scarring may be unavoidable while treating some severe cases of gynaecomastia
- Pseudogynaecomastia is not composed of glandular tissue but of adipose tissue. Though it looks much like real gynaecomastia but requires different line of treatment like exercise along with right diet but in some cases liposuction or surgical excision may be recommended
Gynaecomastia is not just physically embarrassing but it is also psychologically devastating to the sufferer. Therefore, this condition should never be underestimated. Gynaecomastia could be a symptom of some underlying ailment, which may require immediate attention. It is possible that a total resolution can take place if the underlying cause is identified and treated before the development of any complications.
Due to the fear of humiliation many patients do not discuss this condition with their doctors. But this will only complicate the situation. In case of obesity, loosing weight will be required. In case where gynaecomastia is due to some medication, then a change in prescription may help. In other circumstances, some investigations will be required to arrive at the right diagnosis that will help in the selection of the appropriate line of treatment. Some cases of gynaecomastia may be treated by medications but in some chronic cases, surgery (like liposuction, gland excision, skin sculpture, reduction mammoplasty or a combination of these surgical techniques) may be the only line of treatment.
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