Gynecomastia Treatment - Surgery Types, Procedure & Risks
Do you feel that your chest is increasing in size and look more like female breasts? These symptoms may indicate gynecomastia (man boobs) and the condition can be bothersome for males. If you have enlarged breasts, you can get in touch with SurgiKure and get advanced gynecomastia treatment from the best plastic surgeons in India. Book a consultation with our gynecomastia surgeons and plan the treatment.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia, also known as man boobs or enlarged breasts, is a condition in which breast tissues start to develop in males due to hormonal imbalance or higher levels of estrogen. These overdeveloped glandular tissues can cause social and personal distress in males, making them feel uncomfortable or self-conscious.
Gynecomastia progresses gradually in four grades-
Grade 1 Gynecomastia: Only minor enlargement is present, and a localized lump can be felt beneath the nipple or around the areola.
Grade 2 Gynecomastia: Breast tissues expand to the chest width and cover the pectoral muscles. The enlargement may still not be prominent.
Grade 3 Gynecomastia: Moderate enlargement of breasts, which is clearly visible through clothes. The tissues also become firm.
Grade 4 Gynecomastia: This is the most severe grade of gynecomastia, in which the chest appears like breasts and causes physical and psychological issues.
Besides the above classifications, gynecomastia is also divided into true and pseudo-gynecomastia. In true gynecomastia, only breast glandular tissues are present. Unlike this, in pseudo gynecomastia, only fat tissues are present in the chest, giving the appearance of female breasts. Generally, when gynecomastia presents, the individual often has both glandular and fat tissues.
Gynecomastia Diagnosis
To identify gynecomastia and differentiate between true and pseudo-gynecomastia, the doctor may do the following:
Medical History: The doctor will ask the patient about the symptoms, medical history, and any medications or substances that he may be taking that could contribute to the condition. Certain medications, such as anabolic steroids, anti-androgens, or medications containing estrogen, can lead to gynecomastia.
Physical Exam: The doctor will first do a physical exam to assess the abnormal growth of tissues, including the shape, size, and consistency of breast tissues which are generally different from fat tissues. The test is called the pinch test. During the gynecomastia pinch test, the examiner will pinch the breast tissue using his/her thumb and fingers to look for any abnormal lump or mass. The physical exam may help to distinguish it, but the exam may also be inconclusive. If so, further testing will be recommended for the individual.
Blood Test: A complete blood panel test may be ordered by the doctor to evaluate the hormone levels.
Imaging Test: To identify the extent of growth and rule out the possibility of breast cancer, the doctor may recommend mammography, CT scan, MRI scan, or ultrasound.
Biopsy: A biopsy test may be suggested by the doctor if he/she suspects that the breast tissue growth is cancerous.
These tests aid the plastic surgeon in determining the safest approach for gynecomastia treatment.