So the doctor told you that you suffer from gynecomastia. What is gynecomastia anyway? Well, this condition, which is more common than is commonly thought, is a health condition in which the mammary glands of the male chest develop beyond their natural and healthy size, creating the appearance of a more feminine breast in the man. One of the reasons why this phenomenon is no longer talked about and even hidden is the obvious fact that the feminine appearance that this condition creates great embarrassment for those who suffer from it, since the rigid ideal of male beauty does not contain such a deviation from the norm, which leads to emotional suffering, sometimes very severe, in those who suffer from gynecomastia.
Not only from the aesthetic aspect, if you have asked yourself what gynecomastia is on a medical level, you will be surprised to discover that beyond embarrassment and physical discomfort on an aesthetic level, this problem is a root and a warning light for other problems that may develop or are already there in the background, waiting to be expressed.
Gynecomastia, what are its side effects?
Those who suffer from this phenomenon may encounter one or more of the side effects of gynecomastia. What are these side effects?
- Aesthetic changes of various degrees – from slight swelling of the area to significant and disproportionate growth, through asymmetrical changes in the size of the male breast. Sometimes even with secretions of milk from the mammary glands of the breast.
- Chest pain – In the simplest and most direct way, this change can bring with it various chest pains, from mild discomfort to real pain.
- Mental health problems – a severe and prolonged decline in self-esteem leads many people to more serious mental health problems, from mild depression to major depression, depending on the sensitivity of the person suffering from the problem, natural tendencies, and other genetic and environmental factors.
- Suspected cancer – you read that right, and those who suffer from gynecomastia should be aware of the fact that they are in a risk group for two main types of cancer – breast cancer, a phenomenon that usually affects only women, and testicular cancer.
What is gynecomastia treatment?
True, there is a treatment for gynecomastia. What is this treatment, you wonder to yourself? Well, the most common and effective treatment is of course breast reduction surgery for men, an operation that operates on the aesthetic level alongside the psychological level, as it frees the man, and sometimes even the boy, since this problem does not skip young people, from the mental and emotional pressure involved in being different from the other members of the "tribe".
There are different surgical methods and approaches to treat gynecomastia. The first step is to suction the excess fat that has formed in the breast. Afterwards, and if necessary, a minor incision will be made under the areola and from there the excess that protrudes the nipple in an excess and excessive way will be removed. This surgery is performed by an aesthetic surgeon who specializes in the subject.
It is recommended to have periodic checkups if you suffer from gynecomastia. What is regular testing? It is best to consult with your family doctor to make sure that you are being monitored in order to prevent the complications that may arise from this medical phenomenon.
For more details click – Gynecomastia: What is it?