Gynecomastia – The Male Curse

  • Peak Rejuvenation   •   July 19, 2016

In my practice, I have met numerous men who are self-conscious about removing their shirt. Why? Gynecomastia or enlargement of the male breasts. Gynecomastia (or male breast enlargement) is a thing that haunts many of us men. But if you’re one of the victims, then you may be shocked by the next statistic. According to the April/May 2016 edition of Plastic Surgery News, 2015 marked a tremendous milestone for gynecomastia correction. A record 40% (27,456 cases) of ALL breast reduction procedures in 2015 were done on men – a 35% jump since 2000. That is tremendous! So if you’re feeling self-conscious about having man boobs and are afraid to do anything about it, it’s time to stop feeling self-conscious! There are countless men out there that have the same concerns…many of whom finally decided to do something about it.

Gynecomastia can be causes by numerous factors. In the great state of Colorado, cannabis consumption (in any form) has a positive link to the growth of male breasts. In my previous practice in Louisiana, it was good ol’ southern Cajun cooking. Some other causes include prescription medicines and tumors.

If you’re a man that has encountered the misfortune of developing one or two enlarged breasts, there are some important considerations to keep in mind. While it is unlikely that the breast enlargement may be caused by a tumor, a proper history and physical exam by a licensed physician should be sought to rule out any suspicious etiologies. A proper physical exam consists of an examination of the chest as well as the testicles. That’s right, I said testicles! Why, you ask? Because there are certain hormonal imbalances that can cause enlargement of the male breasts and these need to be ruled out. Some testicular tumors cause jumps in hormone production that in turn cause breast enlargement. Finally, an astute physician will likely even test your blood for hormone levels to make sure everything checks out.

So strap on your hardhat gentleman and get your man boobs checked out! Hey, you never know…if you find the right plastic surgeon, you may soon be bearing and beating on that manly chest again and swinging from the trees without the urge to look for a compression shirt first.

– Dr. Jeffrey Williams, DO, PC