What Causes an Overgrowth of the Breast Tissue is Men?

According to official statistics, 36% of adult young men and 57% of older #adult men in the United States have this medical condition in one of the four grades. About 200,000 to 3 million cases of #gynecomastia are being reported every single year. So if you have #breast #enlargement and you feel you're an exception, please understand that 1 in 3 young adult #men and 1 in 2 older adult men are just like you and have breast enlargement. Several common factors can cause gynecomastia including excessive levels of #estrogen, natural #hormone changes, use of recreational drugs or alcohol, medications and their associated side effects, and, various health conditions. Also, there are different types of #gynecomastia.There are three types of surgical #treatment #options available that treat gynecomastia. Your board-certified plastic surgeon will recommend the type best suited for you. The most important decision to be made before performing any surgical procedure is determining whether you are an ideal #candidate.

Thank you for your question. Gynecomastia affects an estimated 40 to 60 percent of the male population. It may affect only one breast or both. Certain drugs such as anabolic steroids, alcohol, marijuana, as well as medications containing estrogen may cause enlarged male breasts. Certain medical conditions including cancer and impaired liver function may also be a contributing factor. It is widely accepted that a large percentage of cases derive from unknown sources.Men of any age who are healthy and emotionally stable are considered good candidates for male breast reduction surgery. The best candidates are those who have firm, elastic skin that will reshape to the body’s new contours. In some instances, surgery may be discouraged for overweight men who have not tried an exercise and diet regimen prior to surgery. Best of luck!Dhaval M. Patel Double board certifiedPlastic surgeonHoffman EstatesBarringtonOakbrookChicago

You should look into male breast reduction or gynecomastia. Far more important than the technique
is the skill and experience of your plastic surgeon. Choose your surgeon rather
than the technique and let them explain why one technique may be better than
another.

See the below link on some suggestions on
finding the most qualified Plastic Surgeon for a Male Breast Reduction. 

Excess tissue can be caused by several things, such as genetics, some medications, some health issues, weight gain and hormonal imbalances. It's best to pinpoint the cause of the excess growth first before considering a treatment. 

Most gynecomastia occur as a result of hormonal changes during puberty and can be temporary.  When it persists and is not desired, surgical intervention is the most effective treatment.  Other less common causes of gynecomastia may include liver disease, testicular tumors, certain medications, marijuana use, anabolic steroid use.  John T.
Nguyen, MD, FACS, FICSDouble Board
Certified Plastic Surgeon

Many surgeons have already answered this question quite well.  I would recommend a good medical workup if you had breast development years after puberty.  Rarely, testicular tumors can cause gynecomastia. Also be aware that smoking marijuana and taking medications like propecia can cause this.  Most cases are benign, arrive during puberty, and do not go away with time. Good luck.

The exact cause is unknown but it has something to do with the effect of female hormones on the male breast. Either the breast tissue is ultra-sensitive to the hormones or the hormone receptors do not let go of the hormones, which allow their effect to work stronger. There are a few actual "conditions" as well as side effects from medicines that can also produce gynecomastia.

The excess breast tissue in men known as gynecomastia can be caused by various factors such as; hormonal imbalance, steroid use, certain medications, genetics, and marijuana use. Some studies show soy as a possible cause. In many cases, the cause is just not known. Liposuction will only remove fat as the breast tissue is too dense to get through the cannula. Surgical excision is the only way to remove breast tissue, and in the hands of a well trained Board Certified Plastic Surgeon that specializes in gynecomastia you can expect to get a great result. Seek an evaluation by a well trained surgeon who will be able to help you determine the possible cause of your gynecomastia. In some cases you may be referred to an endocrinologist for further evaluation. Good luck.

Hi,Thanks for the post. There are many causes of gynecomastia. Certain medications, supplements, endocrine conditions, genetic predilection, are among some of the causes that I screen for during the consultation. There are some men who develop during puberty when there is hormonal imbalance, or during middle age, when there is a decrease in testosterone. I recommend that you be evaluated by a plastic surgeon experienced in gynecomastia surgery. Based on the physical examination the best surgical procedure can then be recommended. Sincerely,Dr. Dadvand

Some enlargement of male breast tissue commonly occurs during puberty, and the incidence of noticeable, transient, pubertal breast enlargement has been reported to be as high as 60%. For most males this hormone-related breast enlargement is temporary, but for some individuals the breast tissue proliferation will persist and even increase in size.

For the majority of men with gynecomastia, no clear causative factor can be identified. It is thought that some cases of gynecomastia may relate to an imbalance between circulating levels of estrogens, which stimulate breast tissue development, and androgens including testosterone which counteract estrogen effects. Because gynecomastia may rarely be associated with endocrine (hormone) disorders, testicular tumors, and the use of some medications/drugs, it is important that you discuss the condition with your primary care physician prior to surgical treatment.

Testosterone deficiency (TD) is actually quite common, and it is now well understood that testosterone levels tend to decrease significantly in most men at or around the age of 50 (sometimes called 'andropause' or 'male menopause'). I have had a number of patients begin testosterone replacement therapy (TRT), under the direction of their primary care physician, either prior to or following their consultation appointment for gynecomastia surgery. While TRT can improve energy level, mood and libido in patients with TD, it unfortunately does not appear to reverse or improve gynecomastia in most cases.

Male breast enlargement can occur as a result of significant weight gain, in the absence of actual breast tissue excess. This is sometimes referred to as "pseudogynecomastia", which implies that the breast has enlarged because of the accumulation of fatty tissue only. While it is true that male breast enlargement in some cases is primarily due to excess body mass / obesity, in many cases patients who appear to have "pseudogynecomastia" turn out to have a significant amount of fibrous breast tissue as well. This is not that surprising, given the fact that it has been shown that the condition of being overweight can upset the balance of estrogens and androgens in favor of estrogens (sometimes called a "pro-estrogenic state"), which is a set-up for the development of true gynecomastia.

Male breast enlargement associated with excess body mass / obesity may improve with weight loss. In many men, however, the feminized appearance of the breast will persist, due to underlying true gynecomastia, incomplete regression of breast area fat, persistent skin excess after weight loss, or some combination of the three.

Increasingly patients are being seen for gynecomastia that develops after using 'prohormone' and/or anabolic steroid supplements as part of a bodybuilding regimen or to improve athletic performance. While the goal is to increase muscle mass, strength and performance, some of these agents and supplements can be converted by the body into estrogen-like compounds. Additionally, supplemental androgens may suppress the normal production of natural androgens by the testes. These factors can tip the balance of androgens and estrogens in favor of the estrogens, which then stimulates the development of breast tissue and results in visible breast enlargement. This form of breast enlargement generally persists after supplement use is stopped, requiring surgical treatment.