How to Get Rid of Gynecomastia Without Surgery

Posted August 22, 2024 in Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia is a common condition that causes the enlargement of breast tissue in men. Men with gynecomastia are often teased about their “man boobs,” making them self-conscious and unwilling to seek treatment. True gynecomastia is a medical issue that may or may not need surgery to correct. In this blog, we delve into what gynecomastia is, what causes it, and how lifestyle changes may help eliminate your gynecomastia without surgery.

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What Is Gynecomastia?

The first thing to understand about gynecomastia is that it isn’t just a case of having excess fat in your chest. Gynecomastia is the growth of glandular tissue in your chest, not adipose (fat) tissue. Pseudogynecomastia is the enlargement of male breasts as well, but it is caused by being overweight. Pseudogynecomastia often goes away with weight loss, while gynecomastia may or may not respond to lifestyle changes. 

What Causes Gynecomastia?

Several things can cause gynecomastia, but most of them can be traced back to an imbalance in hormones. It is most common in puberty and men over age 60, with nearly 70% of preteen boys experiencing it and up to 65% of older men. It can affect men of any age, but the reason it is so prevalent in these particular age groups is because they are prime life stages where hormones tend to become imbalanced. 

Men and women have estrogen and testosterone in their bodies, with men having higher testosterone levels and women having higher estrogen levels. Higher estrogen levels are not only responsible for the development of glandular breast tissue but also suppress the body’s release of testosterone. The increase in estrogen and decrease in testosterone often result in gynecomastia. 

During puberty, hormones are all over the place, so gynecomastia may develop when the estrogen levels in a preteen are higher. The same is true for men later in life, experiencing what some people call “manopause.” After you hit 50, your testosterone levels begin to decrease, and your body is again trying to balance hormone fluctuations. Besides changing hormone levels, other factors that contribute to gynecomastia include:

• Excess fat, which is where estrogen hormones are produced
• Alcohol, prescription opioids, and recreational drugs (like marijuana)
• Medications to treat anxiety and depression
• Medical conditions like hyperthyroidism, liver or kidney disease
• Anabolic steroids

Can Gynecomastia Go Away on Its Own?

Yes, gynecomastia can go away on its own. Lifestyle changes or medication adjustments can help your hormones level out, reducing or eliminating your gynecomastia. Some of the ways to address gynecomastia with lifestyle adjustments include:

• Addressing underlying medical conditions (kidney, liver, thyroid, or adrenal problems)
• Adjusting medications that increase estrogen production
• Undergoing hormone therapy to balance your testosterone and estrogen
• Avoiding excessive alcohol consumption
• Stopping the use of recreational drugs or anabolic steroids
• Exercising and adjusting your diet to lose excess body fat 

Sometimes, your gynecomastia may go away once your hormones settle down. In other cases, working with your doctor to determine and address the cause of your gynecomastia can also help resolve the issue.  

What If My Gynecomastia Persists?

If you’ve done all you can to address your gynecomastia and you haven’t seen results, or you are still self-conscious about the appearance of your chest, you may want to consider surgery. At Careaga Plastic Surgery, we offer gynecomastia surgery, or male breast reduction. When you come in for a consultation, you will have three options to choose from:

• Surgical excision: The excess glandular tissue is removed using strategically placed incisions to minimize scarring.
• Ultrasonic liposuction: Liposuction removes excess fat, while ultrasound energy breaks up glandular tissue, contouring your chest. 
• A combination of both: Surgically removing glandular tissue and further defining your chest with ultrasonic liposuction offers optimal contouring. 

Learn More About Gynecomastia Surgery in Miami

When you live in Miami, a city of sun, fun, and gorgeous beaches, you should be able to enjoy yourself to the fullest without worrying about how you look with your shirt off. Don’t let gynecomastia keep you from enjoying life to the fullest—let the skilled surgeons at Careaga Plastic Surgery give you a masculine chest contour you’re proud to show off or even give you a total daddy makeover. To schedule a consultation, call today at (305) 929-0445 or complete the online contact form.