by DLM Admin | Feb 10, 2023 | Living with Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is a condition that causes the abnormal enlargement of breast tissue in males. There are a variety of different triggers for gynecomastia, including hormonal imbalance, low testosterone, steroids, certain medications, and obesity. And while this condition is often seen as an aesthetic issue, is can actually have a psychological impact on men as well.
The Psychological Effects of Gynecomastia on Teens
While gynecomastia is physically harmless, it can have a profound impact on the mental and emotional health of boys and men. Adolescent boys are most commonly affected by this condition, which can make them self-conscious about their already-changing bodies, often causing them to isolate themselves from social situations.
Many boys with gynecomastia avoid group activities, tend to dress in baggy clothes to cover their breasts, or avoid situations in which their chest may be exposed such as swimming. If left untreated, this social anxiety can lead to other psychological issues such as clinical depression, emotional isolation, and stress eating.
The Psychological Effects of Gynecomastia on Men
Gynecomastia can also affect men psychologically as well. Because the cause is often hormonal imbalances or low testosterone levels in adult men, this may lead to intimacy issues. Many men with gynecomastia avoid dating and live with a deep fear of rejection or humiliation due to their gynecomastia. Men who suffered from untreated gynecomastia-based social anxiety as children will continue to deal with the effects as they age, which can sometimes lead to depression and other psychological disorders.
How to Support a Loved One with Gynecomastia
Thankfully, the internet nowadays provides many different avenues for men to learn more about their condition and the treatments available. There are also social groups online where men can chat about their gynecomastia symptoms. Gynecomastia awareness helps men and their loved ones to better understand this disorder, which is a vital step for their treatment. If you have a loved one who is living with gynecomastia, be ready to listen and be open to learning more about this condition. Also, if you and your loved one are discussing possible gynecomastia surgery, joining them on their visit to different surgeons can be great support.
Treatment Options for Gynecomastia
While some adolescent boys will notice that their gynecomastia will correct itself as their hormones stabilize, some boys will not “grow out” of their condition. Gynecomastia that is caused by hormonal imbalance can only be corrected with gynecomastia surgery to remove excess tissue. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Delgado has been successfully treating patients with gynecomastia symptoms for over 30 years. He specializes in performing male breast reduction surgery and revision gynecomastia surgery procedures to help males feel confident in their bodies.
Schedule a Consultation in San Francisco
If you are interested in learning more about gynecomastia surgery and if you are a candidate, please contact Dr. Delgado today to schedule a consultation appointment.
by DLM Admin | Feb 6, 2023 | Causes, Steroids and Gynecomastia
Many men across the world suffer from enlarged breasts, which can cause self-consciousness and embarrassment. This condition, called gynecomastia, can be caused by many different factors, including medication. Read on to learn more about how the hair growth medication Finasteride can affect gynecomastia, as well as other medications.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition that is often caused by an imbalance of testosterone and estrogen in males. Certain medications can also cause male breast tissue to become enlarged. This enlarged breast tissue in boys and men can lead to self-consciousness. This condition can occur at different times in a male’s life, including at birth, during puberty, or adulthood.
There are also two types of gynecomastia including true gynecomastia and pseudo gynecomastia. With true gynecomastia, enlarged male breasts are caused by the development of breast tissue. The only solution for true gynecomastia is male breast reduction surgery. Pseudo gynecomastia is caused by an accumulation of fat in the chest area. It can often be reduced with weight loss or liposuction.
Finasteride Induced Gynecomastia
Finasteride is a popular treatment for androgenetic alopecia or male balding. It is given at a dose of 1 mg daily and has a relatively good safety profile. However, Finasteride is associated with gynecomastia in some men with a risk of about 4 to 10 out of every 1,000 users. Gynecomastia induced by Finasteride was often found to affect just one breast but can affect both as well. Some patients began to see gynecomastia symptoms as early as 1-2 weeks after starting this drug, but most noticed changes after a few months. Pain and/or tenderness often occur in those with Finasteride-induced gynecomastia due to the enlargement of breast tissue. For those who stop the drug completely in the early stages of gynecomastia, the condition may be reversed completely. However, if the drug is continued, it can lead to a stage of gynecomastia that can only be corrected with surgery.
Other Drugs that May Cause Gynecomastia
Along with Finasteride, there are also an array of other drugs that can lead to gynecomastia, including the following:
- Heartburn medications: H-2 receptor blockers that are used to treat heartburn and ulcers have some evidence of causing gynecomastia. Cimetidine is a drug in this class that has one of the highest risks.
- Ketoconazole (anti-fungal): The risk for gynecomastia is increased when taking oral Ketoconazole.
- Lavender oil and tea tree oils: These essential oils have been shown to cause an increased risk of gynecomastia in children. Tee tree and lavender oils can be found in lotions, shampoos, and soaps.
- Other drugs: Many other drugs can be linked to gynecomastia, including spironolactone, cimetidine, ketoconazole, hGH, estrogens, hCG, anti-androgens, GnRH analogs, and 5-α reductase inhibitors. Other drugs that have been labeled as “probably associated with gynecomastia” include verapamil, risperidone, omeprazole, nifedipine, alkylating agents, HIV medications, anabolic steroids, opioids, and alcohol.
Schedule a Consultation
If you are tired of living with gynecomastia and are seeking professional treatment, please contact Dr. Delgado today at 415-898-4161. Your first step toward treatment will be to schedule a consultation appointment to determine which treatment option is best for you.
by DLM Admin | Jan 30, 2023 | Gynecomastia Surgery, Post-Op
When men are looking into gynecomastia surgery for a more masculine-looking chest, one of the most common concerns is what their scar might look like following the procedure. In many cases, incisions are necessary to adequately remove glandular tissue, skin, and fat that might be contributing to enlarged breast shape. However, this doesn’t mean that your incisions will lead to unsightly scars, especially if you know how to take care of them in the days, weeks, and months following your procedure.
Causes of Surgical Scars
Not all surgeries necessarily result in scars that others notice when they see the place where it was performed. At the same time, whenever the skin is damaged, it heals in particular ways, often creating fine lines of scar tissue, red lines, or other markers of is history. This is because your skin does one of several things when it heals: it creates extra collagen – supportive proteins that provide internal structure between skin cells – and responds to your body’s wound-healing process, involving the immune system, platelets, and inflammation. These all contribute to the final long-lasting appearance of any wound, from a scraped knee to a surgical scar.
When it comes to surgery, scarring is influenced by three major things:
- The surgeon’s skill
- The location of the incision
- The type of surgery
With precise incision markings, creation, and sealing, surgeries don’t have to result in deep scars. An experienced gynecomastia surgeon like Dr. Miguel Delgado makes precise incisions with minimal invasiveness to prevent excess scarring. There are additional risk factors, however, that can contribute to unsightly wounds after surgery.
Risk Factors for Adverse Scarring
Not everyone is an ideal candidate for gynecomastia surgery with little scarring. Risk factors like age, lifestyle habits, or other unchangeable scenarios can change your reaction to the surgery.
Lifestyle Habits
One of the most commonly instructed preparation steps before surgery of any kind is to stop smoking if you currently do. Smoking inhibits the immune system to the point where the skin doesn’t heal as quickly or effectively as non-smokers. Other behaviors, such as frequent sun exposure without protection or exposure to certain environmental pollutants can also hinder the skin’s ability to heal, resulting in worse scars after gynecomastia surgery.
Age
Older people have less collagen throughout their body, meaning their skin isn’t as tight, resilient, or elastic, which plays into how they heal after surgery. The older you have surgery, the less likely it is that your results will be unnoticeable.
Genetics
Finally, at the end of the day, some people simply heal better following wounds or surgery because of their genetics. The healing process is complicated but involves more than just surface-level factors. Some people literally have thicker, more resilient skin that doesn’t produce visible scars no matter how invasive the procedure or where it’s performed.
Preventing Adverse Scarring
Besides eliminating habits like smoking, there may be a few things you can do to help prevent persistent scar tissue from forming after gynecomastia surgery. Research shows that eating plenty of protein along with a balanced diet provides the nutrients your skin needs to heal effectively following gynecomastia surgery.
Not only for scarring, but also for complete, quick recovery, it’s important to follow all of your doctor’s directions for recovering from your specific male breast reduction surgery. You should clean your wound as instructed, follow care guidelines, and change any bandages as necessary.
Finally, keep pressure and tension off your incision sites as much as physically possible. This means refraining from lifting anything but light objects, avoiding strenuous activities, and performing therapeutic exercises to prevent undue stress on the vulnerable site.
Gynecomastia Scar Treatment
There may be additional ways beyond minimizing risk factors for extensive scarring to help you enjoy the most benefits from your male breast reduction surgery. By consulting with a highly experienced gynecomastia expert like Dr. Miguel Delgado, you can find out what your ideal surgery might look like, especially after the procedure itself. Learn more about gynecomastia and your options for treatment by browsing our leading gynecomastia forum.
by DLM Admin | Dec 13, 2022 | Steroids + Bodybuilders
It’s not just pubescent teens or overweight
adults who develop the often-embarrassing symptoms of gynecomastia, or male breast enlargement. Additionally, a surprising group of people who develop breast tissue are some of the fittest people alive, bodybuilders. This is because of male breast enlargement’s many possible causes, which includes the use of certain medications or supplements, including
steroids.
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the medical term for an under-studied condition often referred to as “man boobs” or “puffy nipple.” It’s the abnormal development of breast tissue (not just fat) in the chest in biological males. There are several degrees, or grades, of gynecomastia, from localized fat tissue just beneath the nipple to pectoral-sized growth of glandular tissue and fat that causes the chest to droop.
Along with the look of the chest changing with gynecomastia, the sensation and texture of the chest can change as well. Glandular tissue is firmer than pure fat, and can result in tinges of pain when touched. Fatty deposits feel squishy or pliable as they contribute to a swollen or enlarged look.
Causes of Gynecomastia
Because there isn’t a wealth of research on gynecomastia, there are many possible contributing factors for gynecomastia. Most often, though, it’s due to hormone fluctuations common in younger men. It can also be influenced by:
- Genetics
- Weight gain
- Substance use (or abuse)
- Certain medications
While some remedies for gynecomastia make the condition reversible, such as growing out of puberty or losing weight, you can’t often change your genetics, and if you’ve tried and failed to reduce gynecomastia on your own, it might be a more permanent case.
Why do Steroids Cause Gynecomastia?
Steroids themselves may not be to blame for the growth of breast tissue in users of substances like Anadrol or Dianabol. Instead, they might influence the user’s hormones, causing them to be out of balance. These anabolic steroids are often converted to estrogen in the body, which signals a number of changes, including breast tissue growth.
These substances are often available without a prescription, but even doctor-monitored drugs can cause the condition as a side effect. This is why it’s important to fully understand the risk of side effects when starting any medication, no matter how accessible it might be.
Preventing Steroid Gynecomastia
As with many conditions, early diagnosis is vital for the best outcome. When it’s caused by a medication or steroids, the simple solution is to stop the medication if possible. There might be alternative drugs that provide the same boosts or necessary health benefits that don’t have the same side effects.
For bodybuilders, switching from anabolic steroids to more natural supplements that won’t be converted to estrogen once they’re in your body. Many supplements are available to help you gain muscle mass without the risk of gynecomastia.
Treating Gynecomastia
If you’ve had a case of gynecomastia for a long time, perhaps outlasting your use of steroids or other medication, the best solution is gynecomastia surgery. This is a highly customizable procedure that an expert like Dr. Miguel Delgado is well-versed in and who can get you the best results.
Schedule a Consultation About Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is often “treated” by the person changing their behavior, wardrobe, or activities in order to hide the condition rather than seek help. At gynecomastia.org, that’s what we hope to change with the information we share. No matter who you are, gynecomastia can affect you, and there are treatment options available to help you feel like your masculine self again. To learn more about your options for treatment, don’t hesitate to contact us online today.
by DLM Admin | Oct 20, 2022 | Quality
When it comes to surgery to restore a more masculine appearance to your chest, many things can go wrong if your surgeon isn’t experienced in this specific condition. If you’re not working with a qualified and experienced doctor, you could end up with unsatisfying results that look terrible and might require a corrective procedure to look more natural and effective. This blog post will discuss tips to avoid botched plastic surgery so that you can feel confident about your procedure.
Do Your Research
It is vital that you do your research when it comes to finding a plastic surgeon for male breast reduction surgery. You want to ensure that you work with a board-certified physician who has extensive experience in treating multiple grades and types of gynecomastia. One of the reasons Dr. Miguel Delgado founded Gynecomastia.org is to help men educate themselves on their condition and their options for treating gynecomastia before getting a recommendation from someone who may or may not be an expert in the field.
Once you’ve found a few doctors in your area that you’re confident might be able to handle your case, your consultation appointment is the perfect time to ask any questions you have about the procedure and their qualifications. Don’t forget to check out before-and-after photos of the doctor’s previous gynecomastia patients. This will give you a good idea of their skill level and what you can expect from your results. Please make sure you are comfortable with the doctor and their staff; you should feel like you can trust them and that they have your best interests at heart.
Don’t Choose a Surgeon Based on Price
It’s important to remember that you get what you pay for when it comes to plastic surgery for gynecomastia. If you choose a surgeon offering bargain pricing, there’s a good chance they are cutting corners somewhere. They might be using lower-quality tools, or perhaps they’re not as experienced as other surgeons. A higher price is almost always worth it because a higher-priced surgery with a more experienced surgeon increases your chance of having great, long-lasting results compared to cheaper options that may put you at risk of complications and require revision procedures.
Realistic Expectations
Coming into your surgery with realistic expectations is always helpful because you don’t want to feel disappointed after your surgery. Each patient has different concerns they want to address and varying types of gynecomastia; if your condition is more severe, your surgical plan might be more complicated and involve multiple steps that might make the recovery period longer, for example. Gynecomastia surgery can create dramatic improvements, but your outcome is still limited by the reality of incisions, tissue removal, and liposuction, for example.
Make Sure You Are Healthy
It’s essential to be in good health before you undergo any surgery, including male breast reduction. You should not have any active infections, and your body weight should not be too high or fluctuating severely. If you have any medical conditions or take prescription medication, disclose them to your surgeon so that they can make the necessary alterations to surgical techniques used (especially anesthesia) and determine whether you are a candidate for surgery. It’s also important to quit smoking before surgery. Smoking can increase your risk of complications, and slow down the healing process because it constricts the blood vessels.
Schedule a Consultation
Dr. Delgado is a world-renowned gynecomastia surgeon who has helped hundreds of men struggling with their condition. He is happy to answer any questions you might have about the procedure to develop the safest and most effective treatment plan designed for your specific needs. You can schedule a consultation with Dr. Delgado by calling our office or filling out an online contact form.
