Gynecomastia is the medical term used to describe what we commonly know as the “Man Boobs”. Breast enlargement in men is actually more common that you think. It can be a great cause of both physical and emotional discomfort for men. In fact, according to American Society of Plastic Surgery, male breast reduction surgery increased by 14 percent last year. So what causes gynecomastia and how can we treat it?
What Causes Man Boobs?
The two most common causes of gynecomastia are hormone imbalances and obesity.
Hormone Imbalances
Imbalances between Testosterone and Estrogen can lead to enlargement of the breasts in men. It’s natural for men to produce some estrogen, but in men with gynecomastia the estrogen levels are much higher than normal. This causes an enlargement of the actual glandular tissue of the breast which then leads to the development of man boobs.
Obesity
Being overweight or obese can result in an increase in estrogen production. Weight gain can, therefore, create increased glandular tissue in the male breast as well as an increase in fatty tissue of the breast.
Other Causes
Other causes of Man Boobs include:
- Certain medications such as anti-ulcer drugs
- Drug use such as anabolic steroids or marijuana
- Excessive alcohol intake
- Liver disease
- Genetics
Man Boobs Treatment
Before appropriate treatment is recommended, it must be determined whether the man boobs are caused by accumulation of fatty tissue or enlargement of glandular tissue (true gynecomastia). True gynecomastia is best treated by a surgical breast reduction. Other methods such as liposuction can also remove both glandular and fatty tissue of the breasts. If it is determined that the man boobs are mostly a result of fatty tissue accumulation then non-surgical treatments such as CoolSculpting or ThermiTight may be an option. Both treatments are effective and safe when performed on the appropriate candidates by experienced physicians.
Treatment of Man Boobs with CoolSculpting
Are you looking to get rid of your Man Boobs? Feel free to contact us to set up a consultation with Dr. Zadeh and determine if a non-surgical treatment is appropriate for you.