For men, excessive breast tissue, known as gynecomastia, can be an embarrassing and stress-inducing condition. Though some cases are milder than others, up to 65% of men middle-aged and older are affected in some way. Certain medical problems and drugs have been linked to male breast overdevelopment, but there is no known cause for the vast majority of gynecomastia cases. Gynecomastia treatment options are discussed below.
If you’ve experienced gynecomastia, you may have looked up ways of reversing it. Of course, a male breast reduction procedure is an option to counter the effects of the condition. But before you try that, here are three things you can try to reverse gynecomastia naturally:
- Lose weight: Gynecomastia is very frequently (though not always) related to being overweight. If you’re able to get on a regimen that will bring you closer in line with your ideal Body Mass Index, chances are at least some of the effects of gynecomastia will be reversed. Also, keep in mind that in individuals who are overweight, there is genuine gynecomastia, which is a condition related to breast tissue, but also pseudogynecomastia (also known as lipomastia) which is a condition purely related to abnormally large fat deposits in the pectoral region. If you’re suffering from the latter, weight loss will help you alleviate the condition.
- Exercise the right muscle groups: The key is to focus on pectoral exercises that don’t further increase the protrusion but instead tone the upper chest, which will decrease the appearance of gynecomastia. Exercises to look into include bench press, diamond pushups, and any other exercise that works the upper chest muscles. After you institute an exercise regimen, be sure to allow sufficient time to see a change before getting discouraged.
- Get stress out of your life: Stress has been linked with increasing fat storage.With the release of stress hormones, like cortisol, the body’s testosterone levels can be lowered and this can exacerbate gynecomastia. Make a conscious effort to de-stress, and you will start to notice definite, albeit slow, changes in the way your body functions.
If you try these three methods, you may see some improvement in your gynecomastia symptoms.
For those men who feel particularly self-conscious about gynecomastia, a plastic surgery procedure for men called male breast reduction surgery is available. This surgical procedure is performed to remove fat and/or glandular tissue from one or both breasts. In extreme cases, excess skin can be removed as well. The result is a flatter chest with an improved contour.
Think it may be the right time to resolve your gynecomastia with the help of a cosmetic procedure? Contact us today to set up a consultation!
