Is Gynecomastia (Enlarged Breast) a Grave Matter in Male?

Overview

Gynecomastia commonly called moobs is a disorder in which men or boys have an overdevelopment or expansion of their breast tissue. The breasts grow in size. They may develop unevenly. Gynecomastia is more common in early teen and adolescent boys throughout the puberty hormone changes.

Enlarged male breast problem occurs due to an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen hormones. Male breast tissue swells due to the intake of certain medications and diseases. The enlarged breasts can improve even without treatment in boys and men. If you don’t recover and this condition makes you self-conscious, you should consult a doctor for surgery.

What are the Risks of Gynecomastia Surgery?

The choice to undergo plastic surgery is incredibly personal, and you must choose if the advantages will meet your objectives and whether the risks and potential repercussions of gynecomastia surgery are acceptable. You will be required to sign permission paperwork to confirm that you understand the process, as well as any risks and potential problems.

Gynecomastia surgery is quite safe, and most patients recover quickly. Complications can arise even when the patient and surgeon pay the utmost attention to safety. Bruising, haemorrhage, fluid collections, contour abnormalities, loss of nipple skin, obvious scars, numbness of the nipples, inverted nipples, loose breast skin, and asymmetries are all common problems. To get satisfactory results, precise surgical techniques and pre/peri/postoperative treatment are required.

Stages of gynecomastia

Gynecomastia occurs in four grade according to Simon et al in men:

• Grade I: Small enlargement with no skin excess
• Grade IIa: Medium enlargement with no skin excess
• Grade IIb: Medium enlargement with the minor skin excess
• Grade III: Marked enlargement with excess skin which mimics female breast ptosis

Rohrich et al gave 4 grades that are as follows:

Rohrich et al have proposed a similar classification of gynecomastia with four grades of severity:

Grade I

• Ptosis-free minimal hypertrophy (250 g).

Grade II

• Moderate hypertrophy (250–500 g) without ptosis.

Grade III

• Severe hypertrophy (> 500 g) with grade I ptosis.

Grade IV

• Severe hypertrophy with ptosis of grade II or grade III.

Liposuction (SAL, PAL, or UAL) can be used to treat Simon grade I or IIa/glandular type, whereas Simon grade I or IIa/fibrous type may benefit from a combination of UAL and surgical excision. Patients with Simon grade IIb/glandular type should be treated similarly to Simon grade I or IIa patients, and skin excision should be considered after 6 to 12 months. Skin excision for Simon grade IIb/fibrous type can be done immediately or later.

Finally, in Simon grade III patients, any type of liposuction is frequently paired with skin excision. Several types of incisions have been reported in these severe cases (e.g., circumareolar incision encompassing the superior or inferior half of the areola, omega incision, concentric circle incision, inframammary incision). The nipple-areolar complex may be transferred on a dermoglandular pedicle in certain circumstances, or it may be relocated as a full-thickness skin transplant in others.

Pubertal gynecomastia normally resolves on its own. A thorough medical history and physical examination should be performed when examining teenagers with gynecomastia. Observation and reassurance will be enough in the vast majority of situations. Adolescent pathological gynecomastia and prepubertal gynecomastia are uncommon. Further examination should always be conducted in these two instances to rule out an endocrine disease. When teenage Enlarged male breast continues for more than a year, surgical treatment may be considered.

Gynecomastia Side Effects

Nipple or breast feeling changes might be transitory or permanent. Deeper structures, such as nerves, blood vessels, muscles, and the lungs, might be damaged, which can be temporary or permanent. Deep vein thrombosis and cardiac and pulmonary problems are all possible. Fatty tissue seen in the breast may perish (fat necrosis). 

Other causes are Illegal drugs (such as marijuana and steroids), tumors, certain genetic disorders, and conditions such as Klinefelter Syndrome.

Is Gynecomastia Bad?

In general, gynecomastia is not a significant problem, although it can be difficult to deal with. Men and boys having gynecomastia can cause discomfort in the breasts and males can feel self-conscious about it.  

Though gynecomastia eventually goes away, consultation with a doctor should be taken if it creates a problem. It’s not bad to have gynecomastia, it is just a hormonal imbalance. So one should take care of the precautions to be taken.

How Can You Get To Know If It is Fat Deposition or Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia Vs Fat

Examining your chest might help you distinguish between gynecomastia and chest fat. When there is swelling in the breast region, the diagnosis can be determined. The nipples begin to protrude, and the region behind and around the nipples becomes more visible. Male breasts are caused by the spread of breast swelling. There is a distinct distinction between chest fat deposits and breast tissues. The fat-accumulated chest similarly resembles the breasts, but it is soft and droopy owing to excess skin. Male breasts produced by gynecomastia are firmer and resemble the breasts of a woman.

Another method is to feel your chest for a firm bump in the chest region. A lump produced beneath the nipples that grow under the nipples can sometimes be used to diagnose gynecomastia. If you discover a lump, it might be a sign of gynecomastia. It is particularly critical to consult a doctor because this is an uncommon kind of breast cancer in males. Puffy and erect nipples are another indication of gynecomastia or man boobs. Excess female hormones, such as estrogen, in the body, can cause erect and swollen nipples. Even undershirts and t-shirts show signs of swelling. Examine your nipples to see if you have an Enlarged Male Breast. 

Summary:

If you are unable to self-diagnose and distinguish between gynecomastia and chest fat, you can seek medical assistance. To diagnose gynecomastia, the doctor can do tests, most often an ultrasound scan of the chest wall.

What are the Most Common Causes of Gynecomastia?

The most common cause of Gynecomastia is a change in the levels of the feminine hormone (estrogen) and the male hormone (testosterone) is frequently to blame (testosterone). Other factors might also be to blame. The majority of occurrences occur when a preteen or adolescent guy is going through puberty. However, it may also happen to newborns and older men.

Gynecomastia is also said to have been developed due to the consumption of anabolic steroids.

Summary:

It can also happen due to the side effects of medications, hormonal imbalance, and a dip in testosterone levels in males are common causes of Gynecomastia in males.

Symptoms of Gynecomastia

The majority of guys are not known to have symptoms, although some of the male enlarged breast symptoms are pain, particularly in teens. Breast tissue is swollen, Breast sensitivity, sensitivity to pressing against clothing on the nipple, and Nipple discharge in one or both breasts. 

Gynecomastia has not been seen to develop observable symptoms in its initial stage. It passes on stages. If you see these symptoms you should seek a doctor’s advice.

Should I Worry About Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia, or enlarged male breast tissue, may raise your risk of breast cancer somewhat. Even if you have gynecomastia, your chances of developing male breast cancer are quite low. Gynecomastia usually cures on its own with little therapy and a low danger of long-term problems.

Gynecomastia is not a thing to be worried about as it goes off over time. If the situation doesn’t get back to normal eventually for a longer time then you can get the surgery done by an expert. 

Can Gynecomastia Be Left Untreated?

Gynecomastia is usually not permanent. It passes multiple stages before disappearing. The first stage is an inflammatory phase, during which most males report breast soreness. After six to twelve months, the inflammation fades, leaving behind scar tissue. In most situations, no or little therapy is required.

In this situation, surgery is least preferred and is not needed in many cases. So, if you are a male and have mild gynecomastia you should not get worried. It is curable and disappears over time.

Is Gynecomastia Lifelong?

Gynecomastia needs to be treated by surgery in severe cases. The surgeon faces many excisional and liposuction techniques. The choice of these incisions is dependent upon the severity of breast enlargement, and the amount of skin excess. It is also dependent upon the surgeon and the patient’s preference. This method will restore the male chest back to normal condition. But after the surgery for a short period of time, there will be scars that are inconspicuous. 

In all, the surgical treatment of gynecomastia is said to provide satisfactory consequences. The treatment is not recommended at the adolescent stage.

What Happens If Gynecomastia is Not Treated On Time?

Gynecomastia is not a lifelong condition. It generally goes through different stages before disappearing. The first stage is an inflammatory phase, during which most males report breast soreness. 

 The inflammation is initial and after the duration of six to twelve months, it gradually fades. The scar tissues are left behind which also becomes less visible over time. It is non-cancerous but consult a doctor if the pain and tenderness occur for a long time. 

Conclusion

Gynecomastia is not a serious problem, so don’t get panicked if you are facing such trouble.  But facing such an issue can make it difficult to cope with. Some of the boys might feel pain in their breasts and embarrassment too. If you feel such symptoms consult your doctor.

References:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/gynecomastia/symptoms-causes/syc-20351793

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16227-enlarged-male-breast-tissue-gynecomastia