You wanted pecs, but instead have man boobs? Worry not, you are not alone. And we are here to help you.

The condition you have is called gynecomastia. Curious to know how you can manage it?

Well, you’re in the right place.

This blog is to provide you with a complete guide to gynecomastia management.

Here, you can explore what gynecomastia is, its symptoms, diagnostic methods and treatment options.

Let’s dive into it.

What Is Gynecomastia?

A condition in which there is an over development or enlargement of the breast tissue in boys and men is called gynecomastia.

Their breasts become larger or grow unevenly.

While there are many reasons for gynecomastia to occur, changes in the hormonal level is the major reason. Let’s see the reasons for gynecomastia one by one.

What Are The Reasons For Gynecomastia?

• Hormonal Imbalance: This is the number one reason for gynecomastia.

  When the estrogen level in you increases in comparison to the level of testosterone, your breast tissue starts growing resulting in gynecomastia.

• Puberty: This is the time when your hormone levels fluctuate. While your body adjusts to all the changes including hormonal changes, some boys might experience gynecomastia.

• Ageing: When you start ageing, your testosterone levels start declining but estrogen levels remain stable or sometimes it increases.

  So there is a hormonal imbalance, and the result is gynecomastia.

• Medications: Some medicines/drugs can disrupt your hormone levels and result in gynecomastia.

  These medications include anabolic steroids, anti-androgens, certain antidepressants, antibiotics, and medicines for heartburn and ulcers.

• Health Conditions: Testes, adrenal glands, pituitary gland and thyroid are some of the hormone producing organs in your body.

If you have any health condition affecting any of these organs, there will be a disruption in hormone regulation and can be a cause for gynecomastia.

If you have liver or kidney disease, it can also lead to gynecomastia.

• Substance Abuse: If you are someone who uses recreational drugs like marijuana, heroin, methadone or anabolic steroids, you should be beware of gynecomastia since it could disrupt your hormone levels.

  Alcohol too can cause gynecomastia.

• Obesity: When you are obese, you have excess fat tissue. This can increase your estrogen production and decrease testosterone production.

  The resultant hormonal imbalance can cause gynecomastia.

• Lifestyle: Certain food and plastics contain estrogen like compounds known as phytoestrogens. It can contribute to hormonal imbalance and thus gynecomastia.

What are the symptoms of Gynecomastia?

Looking out for the signs of Gynecomastia?

• Breast Tissue Enlargement: This is the primary symptom of gynecomastia. Your breast tissue enlarges and there is a noticeable increase in the size of one or both of your breasts.

• Breast Sensitivity or Tenderness: Your whole breasts or nipples will be sensitive and tender.

• Change in the appearance of breasts: Usually a man’s chest appears flat. But when you have gynecomastia, your breasts appear swollen, firm or rubbery when you touch.

• Nipple Changes: Nipples can appear different than normal if you have gynecomastia. It can be enlarged, protruded or retracted.

• Uneven breasts: Sometimes, gynecomastia may affect one breast more than the other. This can result in asymmetrical breasts, ie, one breast might appear larger than the other. There would be a difference in shape too.

• Pain or Discomfort: In some cases, gynecomastia may cause pain or discomfort in the breast tissue, particularly during physical activities or when pressure is applied to the chest area.

How To Diagnose Gynecomastia?

How do you ensure that the condition you have is gynecomastia? Don’t worry, your doctor can do it for you.

By evaluating your medical history, physical examination and after some additional diagnostic tests, a doctor can identify the underlying cause for gynecomastia and determine the most appropriate treatment.

Following are some of the diagnostic methods for gynecomastia:

- Medical History

It begins with thoroughly reviewing your medical history.

Doctor will inquire about your symptoms, the duration of breast enlargement, medications including prescription drugs, over the counter medicines and supplements you take, your previous medical conditions, family medical history, and your lifestyle that could cause gynecomastia.

- Physical Examination

This is to assess the extent to which your breast tissue is enlarged. Physical examination also helps with checking for the symmetry of your breasts or any other abnormalities in your chest area.

Doctor will also palpate your breast tissue to determine its consistency. It will also help to assess whether there is tenderness or sensitivity.

Your nipples and areolas will also be checked for any change in its size, shape or texture.

- Hormonal and Blood Tests

You already know that hormonal imbalances can result in gynecomastia. An elevated oestrogen level or a decreased testosterone to oestrogen level means that there is hormonal imbalance, which could cause gynecomastia.

Blood tests will help to measure your hormone levels including testosterone, estrogen, luteinizing hormone(LH), follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH) and prolactin.

- Imaging studies

Ultrasound and Mammography are some of the imaging studies through which your breast tissue can be evaluated. This helps in ruling out breast cancer and other serious conditions.

Ultrasound scanning will give you the composition of your breast tissue. It will help you distinguish glandular tissue and fat. It can also help you identify any abnormalities or masses in your breast.

Mammography sometimes is used in older men to test for breast cancer and to evaluate the density of breast tissue.

- Biopsy

In some cases, if the doctor has a suspicion of breast cancer or any other serious condition, a biopsy will be performed.

Here a small amount of breast tissue is examined under a microscope to make sure that it's actually gynecomastia and rule out any possibility of other serious conditions.

- Specialised Testing

If your doctor suspects that your gynecomastia is related to any other medical conditions or medications, they will ask you to undergo specialised testing.

Sometimes, you will be asked to consult a specialist to seek the necessary treatment.

What Are The Treatment Options For Gynecomastia?

Sometimes gynecomastia resolves itself without any intervention. Sometimes it may require medical treatment or surgery.

Treatment for gynecomastia depends on your condition - ie, the underlying cause, severity of breast enlargement, and your personal preference

Following table will give you various treatment options :

• Gynecomastia could give you self esteem issues and could affect your mental health. Address it - seek support groups, therapy, and communicate with your doctor.

• If you undergo any kind of treatment for gynecomastia, keep up with all the scheduled visits to your doctor and address any concerns.

• If you underwent surgery follow every single instruction your doctor has given and if you have any concern, consult with your doctor.

Read More About Gynecomastia Treatment