* What is Gynecomastia?
It is nearly impossible to hide them and if you developed them as a teen or a young boy, chances are you were teased to the point of tears and are still haunted by the memories today. There are many names for “man boobs” such as “moobs” and other rude terms, but the actual medical term for this condition, which can be caused by a number of factors, is known as gynecomastia.
These man boobs are ultimately developed when tissue within the chest area of males grows and swells in an unusual and unwanted manner. A surprisingly large number of men and boys with various lifestyles and age groupings are affected by this unwanted chest growth. Gynecomastia comes in a couple of different types including pseudognecomastia, which is caused by deposits of fat within the chest area; juvenile, which affects young boys during puberty and is the most common type of them all; and the final type is seen in older men due to natural age progression.
* The Causes of Gynecomastia
The first type that males can be affected with is known as juvenile gynecomastia, which is caused by changes in hormone levels during puberty. The development of these “moobs” can happen as boys grow and change during adolescence, caused directly by changes in estrogen and testosterone hormone levels. This type of gynecomastia will usually correct itself after puberty, however the issues that stem from the psychological trauma of this condition can last a lifetime.
The next type is called pseudogynecomastia, which is directly caused by weight gain. Fat is deposited all over the body in many different areas as men gain weight. Unfortunately, one of the most common fatty deposit areas for men is in the chest area, which is what develops these growths known as man boobs. This unwanted chest fat can be effectively treated through a course of diet, exercise and possibly surgery if there is an excess flabbiness in the area that remains once the fat has been lost.
The final type of gynecomastia is seen most often in elderly men, as it is caused by a decrease in the production of the testosterone hormone. As these levels of testosterone decrease during the aging process, the body sees higher levels of estrogen rise, which can in turn cause these moobs to develop. However, there are other external influences that can cause chest growth in older men including conditions such as cirrhosis of the liver, medications that include steroids or estrogens, as well as alcohol abuse. In some cases you can effectively treat this condition just by changing medications, but it is highly recommended that you speak with your doctor about your situation as this could be an indication of a much more serious medical condition.
* The Symptoms of Gynecomastia
One symptom of this condition is a tenderness or swelling within the nipple area of the breasts. Itchiness is also another common symptom at the onset of this condition. Oddly enough, some men who have high levels of prolactin in their system have reported a milky discharge from the nipples as well. Chest fat in men is very commonly caused by a rapid gain in weight. You should speak with your doctor right away if you have experienced any of the symptoms outlined here, particularly if you are taking any prescriptions that contain prolactin or estrogen. Your chest growth may have been caused by the consumption of these prescription medications, particularly if you have also experienced any symptoms of weight gain, depression, anxiety, bloating, a diminished sex drive or impotence. Changing your prescription medication might help to reverse any development or growth if you catch it early enough, however if excessive growth has occurred, corrective surgery to repair stretched or flabby skin may be required in order to repair it completely.