Gynecomastia Archives

What is Gynecomastia?

In simple terms, it is the presence of enlarged breasts in men. The condition is simply caused by an excess of the female hormone oestrogen. This means that the hormonal balance in the body is hindered, causing unwanted side effects. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts, and it might be unequal.

Causes of Gynecomastia

In Newborns

Gynecomastia in newborns is caused by estrogen from the mother. Breast buds are quite frequent in newborn boys. Breast buds usually disappear by six months but can linger longer in some newborns.
Gynecomastia is common during the first few years of life due to hormonal changes in the body of babies. Hormonal changes in boys occur at puberty when they begin experiencing an increase in testosterone levels. The testosterone levels in boys usually reach their peak at the age of 12 years.

In Teenagers

Hormones play a significant role in the development of gynecomastia during adolescence. In boys, gynecomastia occurs during puberty when the level of estrogen in their bodies increases. It is a physical condition characterized by breast tissue growth, and may go away on its own. A boy with this condition tends to have enlarged breast tissue in one or both breasts.

In Adults

In adults, gynecomastia may be due to a hormonal imbalance or a health condition such as testicular cancer. This type of gynecomastia is rare in adult men who aren’t undergoing medical treatment.
The causes of gynecomastia can vary, but the most common ones are related to hormonal changes, medications, and health conditions. If you have this condition, be sure to make an appointment with Dr. Fichadia.

The Surgical Treatment Available

If swollen breasts persist despite early treatment or observation, your doctor may recommend surgery.
There are two gynecomastia surgery options:
1. Liposuction. This procedure eliminates breast fat but not breast gland tissue.
2. Surgical Treatment. The breast gland tissue is removed during this procedure. Small incisions are frequently used in surgery. This less invasive operation requires less recovery time.

Visit Us Today for More Information.

Dr. Fichadia is a dual board-certified reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon with extensive training. She is a breast augmentation, breast lift, mommy makeover, facelift, and stomach tuck, specialist in Portland, OR. Schedule a Consultation appointment with Dr. Fichadia by filling out the online contact form.

During their adolescence and young adult years, a significant number of men may notice that their breasts are sensitive to the touch, and in some instances, painful. In turn, they misunderstand the situation and often find themselves worrying about specific diseases, cancer, or unknown viruses.

This situation, however, is common and treatable. In fact, the medical community often refers to the growth of male breast tissue as gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia. If you are experiencing these issues, or you know someone who is going through this, here’s what you need to know.

Cause of Gynecomastia and Common Side Effects

For most patients, gynecomastia arises when their sex hormones become imbalanced. When estrogen and testosterone levels within a male’s system are chaotic, feminine features can develop, such as the growth of sensitive breast tissue.

However, men who have gone experienced this can breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that it’s easily treatable. While this is by no means a comprehensive list of side effects that may occur in a gynecomastia patient, here are some telltale signs that feminine breast tissue growth is occurring:

A lump under the nipple region
Puffy and slightly raised nipple
Sensitivity and dull aching within the breast
Sudden growth of chest tissue
Discharge from the nipple
Swelling and throbbing sensations

In addition to these symptoms, gynecomastia can cause self-esteem and confidence issues in young men, as the development of soft breast tissue makes a masculine chest more feminine in appearance. Gynecomastia ranges in severity from having a “puffy nipple” to developing enough excess skin and tissue to create a breast fold.

If your symptoms worsen over time or you experience chronic pain, reach out to a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as Dr. Hetal Fichadia, immediately. Dr. Fichadia can treat the symptoms of gynecomastia to give patients a flatter, more masculine chest.

How to Treat Gynecomastia

Because each case and patient is unique, Dr. Fichadia can utilize an extensive array of medical technologies and treatments to alleviate gynecomastia at the source. The personalized treatment process typically involves a combination of liposuction and/or surgical excision to extract glandular growth at the source, restoring the chest to its original shape.

Once your procedure has been completed, recovery time may take anywhere from a few weeks to a month. During this time, patients are cautioned not to perform strenuous activities or stress the breast region. Once swelling and inflammation have gone down, the breast and nipple area will return to its pre-gynecomastia size.

While Dr. Hetal Fichadia is ready and willing to assist any patient, qualified patients for male breast reduction are generally healthy individuals with a stable weight. If you are someone that can’t get rid of their breast tissue regardless of what exercise routine or diet, Dr. Fichadia can help you find a solution during a consultation.

Gynecomastia Treatment in Portland, Oregon

Whether you’re a developing teenager that is experiencing feminine breast growth or an adult whose enlarged breast tissue has become a source of embarrassment, Dr. Hetal Fichadia is here to help.

Dr. Fichadia is a double board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in reconstructive surgery and gynecomastia treatment within Portland, Oregon. Get the process of treating your gynecomastia started today by calling us (503) 488-2344 or contacting us online.

Category: Gynecomastia

What Causes Gynecomastia in Males