Gynecomastia is defined as an abnormal growth of breast tissue in men. This condition usually occurs as a result of hormonal imbalances and can occur in adolescent boys, older men and rarely in infants.
Some studies say that one in every 3 men has gynecomastia. Gynecomastia, which can also be observed in infancy and old age, occurs most frequently during adolescence. According to a study conducted in our country, the prevalence of gynecomastia in adolescent males is 34.6%.
Gynecomastia is not a serious problem in many cases, but it can be difficult for individuals to cope with the condition. Men with gynecomastia have been observed to feel pain in their breasts. In some cases, the individual may feel embarrassed about the condition.
Depending on the cause of gynecomastia, some patients may recover spontaneously, while others may require medication or surgery to resolve the problem.
Gynecomastia is caused by irregularity or imbalance of estrogen and testosterone hormones. In other words, if the amount of testosterone in the body decreases or the amount of estrogen increases, gynecomastia may occur. This hormonal change can have many causes. Some of these changes are natural and have no underlying medical condition. Other gynecomastia may be caused by another condition.
Natural Hormonal Changes:
As is well known, testosterone and estrogen are hormones that control gender characteristics in humans. Testosterone determines male characteristics such as muscle mass and body hair, while estrogen controls female characteristics such as breast growth. However, contrary to popular belief, men also synthesize small amounts of estrogen. When this testosterone/estrogen balance shifts towards estrogen, gynecomastia can occur.
Gynecomastia in Infants: More than half of male infants are born with enlarged breasts due to estrogen passed from their mothers. The swollen breast tissue usually disappears on its own within two to three weeks after birth.
Gynecomastia During Puberty: Gynecomastia is commonly observed during puberty due to hormonal imbalances. In 90% of cases, the swollen breast tissue returns to normal within six months to two years.
Gynecomastia in Adults: The incidence of gynecomastia increases again between the ages of 50 and 69. One in four men in this age group experiences gynecomastia.
Before starting treatment for gynecomastia, it is important to evaluate whether the patient has an underlying hormonal disorder. Therefore, if an individual suspects they have gynecomastia, they should first consult an endocrinologist.
Treatment options for gynecomastia are determined based on the type of gynecomastia. There are many classifications of gynecomastia. The course and response to treatment of gynecomastia in adolescents is measured using the Nydick classification. In this classification, the type of gynecomastia is determined by the size of the glandular tissue disc under the brown ring (areola) around the nipple.
Surgical intervention is the most effective and definitive method in the treatment of gynecomastia. The type of intervention to be performed is decided after examinations by the surgeon. Different methods can be used for different classifications of gynecomastia. For example:
In glandular type gynecomastia, the firm breast tissue predominates and needs to be surgically removed.
In mixed type gynecomastia, there is an excess of both glandular and fatty tissue, and a combination of surgery and liposuction is used.
In fatty type gynecomastia, fatty tissue predominates and it can be treated with liposuction alone.
In another classification, the size of the breast tissue and excess skin are evaluated. The form of surgical intervention is determined accordingly.
With Rezkavi, you can safely undergo gynecomastia surgery in Turkey. Rezkavi Global Health supports you throughout all treatment processes. With professional hospital equipment and expert doctors, the entire process progresses healthily. Our top priority is to ensure you leave Turkey satisfied.
Rezkavi Global Health offers many additional advantages on your health journey.
Free Consultation: In the first step, you can have a free online consultation with our specialist surgeons. In this consultation, you can ask all your questions about gynecomastia and express your wishes.
Treatment Plan: Our surgeon will create the most suitable treatment plan according to your body shape and specific needs.
Travel and Accommodation: We also organize the travel and accommodation needs of our patients. When you arrive in Turkey, we pick you up from the airport and take you to your accommodation.
