3:06 AM   cosmetic surgery , gynecomastia , gynecomastia surgery , liposuction , man boobs

10 Common Misconceptions on Gynecomastia

Men may not be as conscious about their appearance as the ladies, but there are things that would certainly make them uncomfortable. ...

Men may not be as conscious about their appearance as the ladies, but there are things that would certainly make them uncomfortable. Aside from receding hairlines, man boobs can also put a damper on one's confidence. However, as much as this condition affects thousands who are often suffering in silence, it is also one that most are not familiar with.  Riddled with misconceptions, this condition can be managed best when you go straight to the facts. So, let's bust those myths and be on your way out of that situation.

Myth #1: Man boobs are made purely out of fat or adipose tissue.

It is true that the male and female breasts are composed of breast tissue and fats. Many would believe that gynecomastia is purely excess fat deposit in the breast area because most a woman's boobs are mostly made up of fat, and the condition is often observed in obese men. However, the truth of the matter is that true gynecomastia not only involves the build-up of fat but breast tissues as well.

Myth #2: You can diet and exercise your way out of your man boobs

This again stems from the belief that man boobs are only caused by excess fat deposits. Unfortunately, controlling your diet wouldn't cut it if you want to get rid of that ballooning cup size. In the same vein, exercise also cannot do anything to eliminate breast tissues, but it may burn fats and develop muscles. Improving the quality of your diet and exercise may help tackle hormonal issues or lessen breast size by dealing with fats, but this is just part of the equation. Gynecomastia surgery remains to be the most reliable solution because it can remove both fats and breast tissues.

Myth #3: It doesn't involve hormones

This could not be farther than the truth. Gynecomastia is caused by an imbalance between the male hormone, testosterone, and the female hormone, estrogen. All males have a certain amount of estrogen in their body, but an excessive amount in their system can result in secondary female sex characteristics like breast enlargement or gynecomastia. Although man boobs do not cause health problems, it can make the breasts tender.

Myth #4: Hormone pills can help reduce breast size

You might have come across certain ads that promote hormone supplements purporting to be a gynecomastia cure. To set things straight, hormone pills alone cannot fix the problem. Doctor's may advise patients to take certain pills, but without proper diet and exercise, this may not completely tackle the problem.

Myth #5: Gynecomastia is an early sign of breast cancer

Having gynecomastia doesn't necessarily mean that you are prone to developing breast cancer. According to a study, the risk of gynecomastia and breast cancer coexists in high estrogen states. Having man boobs is not usually associated with long-term problems, but men who develop the condition are five times at risk of developing male breast cancer compared with the general population. The reason behind this is that hormonal changes that result in gynecomastia are also the changes that increase the risk of male breast cancer. However, to make things clear, having man boobs is not a precursor to breast cancer.

Myth #6: Hope in beer can cause gynecomastia

If you prefer India pale ale (IPA) over any other beer, you might have heard of the news that could have broken the hearts of aficionados everywhere. There had been reports which claimed that IPAs can give you man boobs. Hops contains a variety of chemical compounds and one of these is phytoestrogen which was found to bind tightly to estrogen receptors. The theory that being exposed to excessive amounts of hops is interesting, but it still needs further studies. The idea that drinking IPA beers will give you man boobs remains to be unfounded.

Myth 7: Steroids can help you deal with gynecomastia

It has been established that an excess of estrogen can cause gynecomastia. Erroneously, a lot of men think that they can counter this by loading up on testosterone leading them to turn to anabolic steroids. However, what they didn't know is that it is actually the main trigger for male breast enlargement. When you stop taking steroids, you end up experiencing fluctuations in your testosterone level and a surge in estrogen levels thereby resulting in an enlargement of your breast tissues.

Myth #8: There is nothing you can do about the problem

Some think that having gynecomastia is a dead-end - a situation condemning their confidence and social lives. However, this is not true because gynecomastia is manageable. There is a host of options that are available for you. You may be prescribed with medications or hormone therapy, but surgery remains to be the option that gives the most dramatic results.

Myth #9: All gynecomastia cases only require liposuction.

Different patients have different degrees of gynecomastia. Some may be affected by the proliferation of breast tissue only, while some have excess fat tissues on top of the abnormal breast size. While liposuction may be an appropriate treatment for removing the excess fats, others with excess skin may need a secondary procedure to tone the area better. Excess breast tissues may need to be excised, too.

Myth 10: Gynecomastia can be prevented.

Hormonal imbalance and hormonal elevation cannot be prevented, although there are several steps to reduce the risk of gynecomastia. Those with a family history of the problem should take necessary steps to avoid gaining excess weight, certain medications, drinking excess alcohol, or recreational drugs. Even with these precautions, there still remains that risk of developing gynecomastia.

We hope that we've cleared the air for you. It is unfortunate that misinformation is everywhere. So, to be sure that you get the best help, get it from the experts. 

If you have any additional questions or require further clarification, get in touch with Dr. Daood. He will help you understand the surgical solution for this type of concern. Take the steps to regain your confidence today. Book your consultation at drdaood.com.au.