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Getting to Know About Gynecomastia and How to Best Manage It
Gynecomastia, or the overdevelopment or enlargement of the breast tissue in men or boys, is common. In recent years, clinical, pathological, and biochemical discoveries have revealed the nature, cause, and significance.
It can appear as a definite, palpable subareolar plate of tissue easily separated from fatty tissue or a more diffuse mass that looks like surrounding fat.
A definite diagnosis may be possible by comparing the breast to the surrounding subcutaneous tissue. Gynecomastia is physically harmless.
Gynecomastia may manifest as an acute unilateral or bilateral painful tender lump beneath the areolar region, as a gradual painless enlargement of the breast, or as an incidental discovery on routine examination.
Recent studies and research on this condition have focused on the prevalence, etiology, and therapy. This article examines these developments and proposes a fair approach to the clinical issues patients face with breast augmentation.
Effect of Low Testosterone
Low testosterone levels in men can contribute to a condition known as gynecomastia or “man boobs”, the growth of bigger breasts in males. Testosterone is a naturally occurring hormone. It’s in charge of a man’s physical appearance as well as his sex drive and mood.
This condition develops when the body’s hormones, particularly testosterone, are out of balance in men. Gynecomastia is a result of a low level of testosterone. It’s important to understand a condition’s fundamental causes in order to know how best to manage gynecomastia.
As men become older, their testosterone levels naturally decline. Hypogonadism, or “low T,” is the medical term for this condition. According to the Urology Care Foundation, low T affects one out of every four men over the age of 45. Low testosterone levels can result in a variety of issues, including:
- reduced libido
- low sperm count
- erectile dysfunction (ED)
What Supplements are Good for Male Breast Reduction?
Many supplements claim to help with breast reduction. Increased estrogen processing is thought to be one of the fundamental mechanisms of enlarged breast tissue in men. So, addressing this condition is the first place to start. Saliva hormone testing at home is a great way to test hormones in the privacy of your own home and receive test results right to your door.
Helpful and natural supplements include the following:
- Mucuna pruriens
- DIM
- Chrysin
- Choline
- Vitamin E
- Indole-3-carbinol
- White button mushroom extract
There hasn’t been much peer-reviewed data on the effectiveness of these substances in treating steroid-induced man boobs. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States does not regulate supplements in the same manner that it does prescription pharmaceuticals.
Most claims about supplement efficacy, although not supported by double-blind study data, have been supported by personal testimonials. Two supplements stand out when it comes to dealing with gynecomastia:
Chrysin has been studied for its effects on bodybuilding, anxiety, inflammation, gout, erectile dysfunction (ED), and baldness.
DIM (Diindolylmethane) has been shown to not only help with weight loss but it may also help get rid of your man boobs. Your muscles start to shrink when you don’t have enough testosterone, but studies have shown that DIM can be effective in assisting with muscle gain and improving your endurance.
Always check with your doctor before taking any supplement, especially if you’re trying to treat a medical problem.
Gynecomastia Treatment Without Surgery
Male breast reduction can be achieved through a variety of non-surgical methods. Among the techniques are:
- Diet and exercise are two things that you should do. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly can assist in balancing hormones and burning fat.
- Putting an end to the use of drugs and/or steroids. Male breast growth can be exacerbated by steroid use and certain drugs.
- Reducing alcohol consumption. Male breast growth can be exacerbated by alcohol consumption.
- Taking part in hormonal therapy. Hormonal imbalances cause male breast development, and hormone balancing treatment options may assist in reducing the appearance of breast enlargement.
These non-invasive therapy alternatives may help some men minimize the size of their breasts. However, many men with moderate to severe breast enlargement may discover that these treatments are ineffective in removing the excess tissue. Chest fat will not be lost exclusively as a result of weight loss. Men suffering from swelling of the breast frequently lose weight but do not see a significant reduction in the size of their breasts. Excess breast tissue contains more than just fat, it also contains muscle and glandular tissue.
Can You Get Rid of “Man Boobs” Naturally?
Gynecomastia is often self-resolving and does not require therapy. However, if an underlying medical problem causes breast enlargement, that illness must be treated before the breast enlargement can be resolved. In a matter of months or years, the breasts flatten out. Medication can assist if the condition is severe, but surgery might be used to shrink the breasts if it persists after puberty.
A slight bump in one or both breasts, which can be tender, develops in some men, and it’s pretty natural. It affects nearly half of all boys during puberty. When a boy reaches puberty, it usually goes away.
Foods Contributing to Man Boobs
The top foods that contribute to the enlargement of male breasts are soy products, beetroot, dairy products, shrimp, strawberries, frozen meat, alcohol, tinned, and deep-fried foods. These meals promote estrogen production while suppressing testosterone production.
Gynecomastia Surgery Costs
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of gynecomastia surgery in 2018 was $3,978.
Keep in mind that this cost estimate excludes necessary surgery fees such as:
- Surgical center expenses for general anesthesia
- Medications and prescription
Your cosmetic surgeon’s level of experience, the cost-of-living index in your area, the quantity of fat that may need to be removed from your chest region, and whether or not a breast lift is required to achieve the most pleasing result may all influence the final cost of your surgery.
The following are some of the hazards associated with surgery:
- The risks associated with anesthesia
- Severe bleeding (hematoma)
- Clots in the blood
- Asymmetry of the breasts
- Irregularities in the breast’ form and contour
- It’s possible to experience temporary or permanent alterations in nipple or breast sensation.
- Deeper structures, such as nerves, blood arteries, muscles, and the lungs, can be damaged, and this damage might be temporary or permanent.
- Fatty breast tissue may perish (fat necrosis)
- A buildup of fluid (seroma)
- Infection
- Persistent discomfort
- Wound healing is poor.
It is important to know the risks of surgery and minimize them by availing of the natural ways available to us to manage gynecomastia.