GettingFitDad article series on Mens Health and Fitness. Discover the truth behind Man Boobs and how Gynecomastia is a bigger health problem for men than you think...

GettingFitDad Article: The Truth About Man Boobs

Author: Louise Adrienne, SingleDad Guest Contributor

Posted: 03/31/12

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Gynecomastia 101: The Truth Behind Man Boobs

Although the term makes people snicker, "man boobs" are no laughing matter. The technical name for this phenomenon, in which a man's breast tissue swells to an abnormally large size, is gynecomastia. The term is apt. It is derived from the Greek language. "Gyne" means "woman," and "mastus" means "breast." While gynecomastia often goes away on its own, plastic surgery is occasionally necessary. The condition isn't necessarily dangerous; at the most, it may cause minor pain and tenderness. However, its psychological effects and the embarrassment that it causes are more than enough to prompt many men to look into cosmetic surgery financing.

Common Causes of Gynecomastia

Many different things can trigger gynecomastia. The condition can occur at several points in a man's life. At birth, many male infants exhibit signs of gynecomastia. Young men who are going through puberty often experience the condition as well. In both of those cases, hormonal shifts are generally to blame. Those hormonal shifts typically happen in two possible ways: a drop in testosterone or an increase in estrogen. In either event, estrogen levels exceed testosterone levels, which triggers the swelling and tenderness of the breast tissue.

Hormonal shifts due to natural life changes aren't the only culprits behind gynecomastia. Medications like anabolic steroids, anti-androgens and ulcer medications can cause symptoms. In such instances, plastic surgery isn't always the best course of action. Many times, a man simply needs to discontinue his use of the medication in question. Before considering cosmetic surgery financing, a man should consider whether or not any of his medications are to blame. Furthermore, street drugs can occasionally cause gynecomastia. Alcohol, heroin, methadone, amphetamines and other drugs are sometimes to blame. As with prescription medications, discontinuing the use of these drugs often puts an end to the signs and symptoms of gynecomastia.

Health Conditions Related to Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is often triggered by an underlying medical condition. Men who suffer from conditions like cirrhosis, kidney failure, hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism and liver failure often develop gynecomastia. In such cases, the underlying medical condition has to be treated in order to alleviate the swelling and tenderness of the breasts that go along with gynecomastia. Malnutrition can cause gynecomastia as well. Men who are unable to receive proper nutrition for one reason or another may eventually develop the signs and symptoms of this condition. Under such circumstances, proper nutrition needs to be prioritized in order to get the condition under control.

Treatments

As noted above, it is often necessary to treat an underlying medical condition in order to alleviate the symptoms of gynecomastia. In other cases, simply waiting things out works well enough. However, some men suffer from chronic gynecomastia that doesn't appear to be caused by any type of underlying medical condition. When that happens, there are two primary options: medication or surgery. Breast cancer medications are occasionally useful. However, many sufferers opt for plastic surgery. Liposuction is often used to reduce the size of the breasts. If liposuction is not effective, a mastectomy, which is the removal of the breast gland, is sometimes necessary.

In most cases, gynecomastia doesn't cause excessive discomfort. On its own, it is not usually a dangerous condition. However, enlarged breasts can cause a lot of embarrassment for a man. They can affect his self-image and wreak havoc with his self-confidence. For that reason, treating the condition properly and effectively is important. When underlying medical conditions aren't to blame and medications aren't viable options, cosmetic surgery is a worthwhile option to consider. It can help to improve the appearance of a man's body, which will help him move forward with his life with confidence and happiness.

Louise Adrienne

Is a freelance writer, ghost writer, and have been closely working with PlasticSurgeryGuide.com for 2 years now. She found her interest in writing at the age of 14. The Communication Arts graduate may not be a seasoned or published writer, but has the heart and passion in writing.