

Gynecomastia – Causes and Risk Factors

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Gynecomastia or severe breast enlargement in men is not a serious problem from a health standpoint. However, it may affect confidence and self-esteem in some men. Fortunately, liposuction breast reduction can resolve this excessive buildup of male breast tissue and provide a natural-looking chest. What causes gynecomastia? Normally, a decrease in the amount of the hormone testosterone compared with estrogen triggers the condition, but there are some other risk factors that can also cause enlarged breasts in men.

Generally, gynecomastia occurs during infancy and puberty, especially during hormonal changes. Reports say that the condition affects up to 41% of men between the ages of 25 and 45 and 60% of 14-year-old adolescent boys. It can also develop in men aged 50 and older. Mayo Clinic lists the other factors that can cause the condition as medications, street drugs and alcohol, certain health conditions, and herbal products.

Medications that lead to swelling of breast tissue in men include anti-androgens used to treat prostate enlargement, prostate cancer and some other conditions, anabolic steroids and androgens, HIV medications, anti-anxiety medications, tricyclic antidepressants, antibiotics, cancer treatment, heart medications, and gastric motility medications. Gynecomastia can be also caused by substances such as alcohol, amphetamines, marijuana, heroin and methadone.

Health conditions that cause hormonal changes can cause excessive enlargement of the male breast. These include hypogonadism, aging, hyperthyroidism, tumors, liver/kidney failure, and nutritional deficiencies. The use of lavender-scented soap and skin lotions, shampoos, or styling products that contain tree oil and lavender oil is also linked to gynecomastia.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS), surgery to treat the man boobs rose 36% between 2000 and 2016, which clearly indicates that the demand for male liposuction surgery has increased significantly.

With advanced minimally-invasive technologies, gynecomastia treatment using laser liposuction is proving to be an effective solution for this aesthetic concern. NYC plastic surgeons perform the procedure using the FDA-approved Smartlipo Triplex workstation. Small to moderate degree of enlargement can be effectively addressed using this modality. As with all cosmetic surgical procedures, it’s important that you find an AAAASF accredited plastic surgery facility to have Smartlipo in NYC. A plastic surgeon with extensive experience in performing the procedure can remove the excess fat and tissue safely and effectively to create a flatter, firmer chest.


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