Gynecomastia refers to a condition of abnormal swelling in a man's breast tissue. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, gynecomastia can develop in one or both breasts and can create a sense of extreme embarrassment. The Mayo Clinic says that newborns, pubescent boys, and older men suffer from breast development because of fluctuations in their hormones (chemicals in the body that can promote tissue growth). Gynecomastia may regress on its own, especially during puberty. But there are ways to lose male breasts medically and surgically if they continue to be present.
Step 1
Go to your family doctor and obtain a prescription for Tamoxifen or Raloxifene. According to the Mayo Clinic, these medications normally treat breast cancer by blocking estrogen (chemical in the body that promotes breast tumor growth). These medications can help men who develop breasts.
Step 2
See your family doctor and get a thorough physical exam with blood work. Gynecomastia can also be a symptom of a serious medical condition like male hypogonadism. In this condition, males fail to produce the hormone (chemical) testosterone necessary for developing masculine features like a deep voice, facial hair and a flat chest. Male hypogonadism can begin in the womb as the body fails to make testosterone and ambiguous genitalia results. This condition can also strike during puberty and adulthood. Your doctor will test your testosterone blood levels to determine whether you have hypogonadism. According to the Mayo Clinic, tumors in the testes can also alter the hormones and lead to male breast development.
Step 3
Tell your doctor about the medications you are taking and if you are using drugs or alcohol. Medications like anti-androgens and AIDS medications can lead to gynecomastia. Certain antibiotics, chemotherapy treatments and antidepressant treatments are also to blame for the development of male breasts. Alcohol, anabolic steroids and heroin are all linked to gynecomastia. More substances are to blame for gynecomastia than that listed here. You should not be afraid to be honest with your doctor so she can help understand why you have male breasts.
Step 4
Visit your surgeon and schedule excess breast tissue removal if you have exhausted all your treatment options. As an elective (non-urgent) surgery, the decision to have either liposuction and mastectomy is a mutual decision between you and your doctor based on your physical exam and medical history. In liposuction, breast fat is removed. In mastectomy, breast gland tissue is removed.
Note, many insurance companies have specific guidelines for what costs they will cover. For example, Massachusetts Health says that gynecomastia must be associated with either excess glandular breast tissue, continuous breast pain, or the presence of gynecomastia for two years despite conservative treatments for them to cover the treatment costs. Be aware that this is only the guideline for the state of Massachusetts. Check your own insurance provider for further details.
Things You'll Need
- Tamoxifen or Raloxifene
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