What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a benign overgrowth of the breast and nipples in men, primarily seen in glandular tissue. Although the structural forms of the female and male breast are the same, the male breast is smaller than the female breast is the lack of sufficient estrogen hormone in men. It is common in 3 stages of life; newborns, adolescents, and men over middle age.
Is Gynecomastia Treatable?
Gynecomastia is seen in one out of every 3 men in our country. Although it causes pain and soreness in some patients, there is no harm to health. However, in young and adult men, uncomfortable feelings such as embarrassment and shyness may occur during physical activities such as swimming and doing sports. In many men, gynecomastia can cause insecurity, introversion, and posture disorders. Gynecomastia can be seen in one breast or both breasts. Hard and firm tissues are formed in gynecomastia. Spontaneous regression or recovery is not possible. Today, gynecomastia is a treatable condition.
What are the Symptoms of Gynecomastia?
Breast tenderness
Pain and soreness in the breasts
Discharge from one or both nipples
The size difference between two breasts
The feeling of a lump under the nipple
Swelling of the axillary lymph nodes
What are the causes of gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia generally occurs as a result of hormonal imbalance. In men, if the testosterone hormone decreases and the estrogen hormone increases more than necessary, gynecomastia is seen. Drugs used other than hormonal imbalances, herbal products or various diseases may cause gynecomastia.
How is gynecomastia treated?
The source of gynecomastia is investigated and treatment is planned. If the person is suspected of developing gynecomastia due to a hormonal disorder, it is diagnosed and treated by an endocrinologist.
The Nydick classification is used in gynecomastia, especially in adolescence. In this classification, the size of the glandular tissue disc located under the brown ring (aerola) on the nipple is taken into account.
In people with a diameter of less than 4 cm, control is carried out with periodic examinations that will last 3-6 months without any intervention.
Medical treatment is applied in patients with a diameter of 4-6 cm. The medical treatments applied vary according to the patient’s age and hormone level.
In complaints that are larger than 6 cm in diameter and do not last for a long time, surgical intervention should be applied to the patient. Gynecomastia surgery is the most effective and definitive treatment method.
The surgery is planned according to the type of gynecomastia. In oily type gynecomastia where the mammary gland is soft and oily, liposuction may be sufficient.
Mastectomy is performed in patients with hard and large gynecomastia. It is a technique in which mammary gland tissue is removed by applying small incisions.
Although surgical interventions are performed under general anesthesia, local anesthesia may be preferred in some cases. The patient can be discharged the same day after the surgery. Postoperative patients should use a gynecomastia corset for 2-3 weeks. There may be mild pain after surgery. Avoiding heavy activities for 3 days after the surgery and not moving the arms and shoulders excessively accelerates the healing process. After the 3rd day, the patient can return to his daily life and work.
Since gynecomastia is a hormonal disorder, it is not possible to prevent its formation. However, the risk of gynecomastia can be reduced by not smoking, eating healthily, and not using drugs outside the doctor’s control.
