In an earlier article we talked about male breast cancer. Today’s post focuses on a similar topic: Gynecomastia – the swelling of male breast tissue.  It occurs when a hormonal imbalance causes a man’s breast tissue to swell. The condition can be painful, and can also be quite embarrassing for a patient. Thankfully, there are options to reduce the swelling, pain, and help patients return to their normal lives. In this article, we are going to discuss gynecomastia – the causes and symptoms of the condition, as well as a few options for treatment.

What is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition in which an imbalance of hormones (testosterone and estrogen) causes male breast tissue to swell. Males typically have more testosterone than estrogen. Certain things (including medication, alcohol, and other conditions like hyperthyroidism) can cause the body to produce more estrogen or less testosterone, resulting in an imbalance. The condition can affect adult men as well as children.

Symptoms of gynecomastia can include any of the following:

• Swollen breasts this can occur equally or affect one side more
• Tenderness or pain in the breasts
• Nipple discharge

If you recognize any of these symptoms, make an appointment with a qualified physician to diagnose the condition and talk about treatment options.

Treating Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is most often not a serious or life-threatening condition. There may be minor symptoms such as pain. These can typically be kept at by with pain medications. The most serious issue for a lot of men with gynecomastia is embarrassment and anxiety related to the condition. Breast reduction surgery can help treat the condition by reducing pain and returning confidence to the patient. It is also important to a more serious reason for breast swelling such as cancer.

Woodbury Breast Reduction Surgeon

In some cases gynecomastia will resolve on its own given time. This is especially true in children suffering from the condition. It is generally recommended that children wait to have surgery for gynecomastia as long as there are no additional serious symptoms. Adults who have had gynecomastia for years may want to look into surgical correction. Dr. Koeplin has been treating Minnesotans with gynecomastia for over 20 years. Make your appointment with Dr. Koeplin today to discuss your options.