Treating Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is when the glandular breast tissue found in men and boys, develops excessively. There are a number of factors that play a role when seeking treatment for Gynecomastia. The first factor to be considered is the cause, as this will determine the course of treatment that will be used. There are quite a few causes of gynecomastia that can include: a large number of medications, tumors, puberty, steroid use, obesity, genetic disorders, liver problems and other underlying diseases.

Generally, sixty percent of boys at the age of puberty will show symptoms of pubertal gynecomastia. When gynecomastia is a result of pubertal development, it will most likely resolve itself within a year or two, requiring no medical treatment. Another cause of gynecomastia that would require no treatment would be if the cause were drug use. It has been shown that stopping the medication that caused this, will fix the problem.

If an underlying disease were the cause of gynecomastia, such as hepatic conditions, hyperthyroidism or even hypogonadism, the treatment would most likely start with treating the underlying condition. Usually, gynecomastia can be resolved when the underlying diseases are treated first. Chances are, if it is a mild case of gynecomastia that is only detectable by a medical exam, it will not require treatment as well.

Treating Gynecomastia usually involves an effective and relatively safe procedure of plastic surgery. This is usually the treatment of choice as it is proven to give the best results at an affordable price. When considering this type of treatment, you will want to get an evaluation with a plastic surgeon to determine if this is the right treatment option for the severity of your condition.

How long you have had gynecomastia and what the severity of the symptoms is also plays a big role in the type of treatment you will get.

Candidates that are a good match for gynecomastia treatment are the ones with tender breasts and also have pain in that area or people that show that they are having emotional difficulty because of their condition. A patient will have to give their full medical history and give details of their current condition prior to the treatment.

The plastic surgery treatment for gynecomastia is usually on an outpatient basis and will involve the removal of the extra glandular or fatty tissue in the breast area. This generally can be achieved with small incisions made in inconspicuous places in the area of the areola while removing the extra tissue through a small tube or with a scapula.

With this method of treating gynecomastia, you can expect to be in surgery for two or three hours, all while under general anesthesia. You recovery time is generally a short period, with a full recovery within four to six weeks. As with any medical condition, you will need to seek the advice of your medical professional. Before starting any type of treatment plan, make sure you have the right plan that meets the needs of your condition.