What Are the Gynecomastia Treatment Choices?
Posted on 12. Nov, 2009 by Trevor Berly in Losing Weight
Male breast enlargement, or gynecomastia, is most often temporary in nature and will resolve itself. There are cases, however, in which it is not self-regulating. And for cases like those, there is a gynecomastia treatment that can help.
The reasons behind development of gynecomastia can vary. Among the possible causes are medications that contain estrogens or steroids, hormonal imbalance, and inability of the liver to clear the estrogen circulating in the body. This last is often seen in cirrhosis due to excessive alcohol. Often the gynecomastia appears during puberty and resolves itself in less than a year.
There are cases, however, where the underlying cause is a tumor. In this case, it may be a testicular tumor or a hormone-secreting tumor. This is why it is so critical to get a diagnosis as to the cause of gynecomastia.
In other cases, there is a medication at the root which has created a hormonal imbalance. Some cancer treatments such as estrogen used for prostate cancer or chemotherapy can cause the gynecomastia. Anabolic steroid use can also result in this condition. Still other medications such as various ulcer drugs and antibiotics can be the cause.
Gynecomastia treatment will also vary, according to the underlying cause. If medication is at the root, simply stopping it may be all the treatment that is needed. If it is a result of puberty, it can usually just be monitored without doing anything. If it is a side effect of another disease, than treating that disease may resolve the gynecomastia as well.
Gynecomastia that is benign does not need to be treated from a medical standpoint. If it is especially painful and tender, this can be enough for the patient to want treatment. In other cases, though, it is more the emotional disturbance and embarrassment that the condition creates that moves the seeking of treatment.
Treatment with medications can be attempted first. For example, Tamoxifen, an estrogen antagonist or Clomiphen, an antiestrogen, have both gotten some good results. Tamoxifen has had success with treatment early on in the condition and for gynecomastia with tenderness. Testolactone and Danazol are two other drugs that have achieved some success. All the medications do have some potential side effects, however, so be sure to discuss them with your doctor so you know what to expect.
Gynecomastia that is not resolved through use of medication, or which is a long-standing condition, may need to be resolved through surgery. Reduction mammoplasties can remove the excess tissue, improving the appearance and also the emotional well being of the patient.
Most important is to have the cause of gynecomastia determined, to rule out underlying diseases that need to be treated and which may be more serious. No matter what the cause, no one needs to live with this condition. There is a gynecomastia treatment that can achieve the desired results.
Related posts:
Leave a reply