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What Are the Gynecomastia Treatment Options?
Gynecomastia, or enlargement of the breast in men, is usually a temporary condition. However, in some cases, it does not disappear on its own. In these cases, the sufferer will need to seek out gynecomastia treatment.
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.
Gynecomastia can accompany a testicular tumor. It is also possible, though not common, for it to be a result of a hormone-secreting tumor. So it is important to seek medical help when this condition appears to rule out any serious condition.
In many cases, it may be a drug that affects the balance of hormones that is at the root of the gynecomastia. It could be from cancer treatments. Chemotherapy or the estrogen used to fight cancer of the prostate can result in this condition. Anabolic steroid use is another potential cause. Certain ulcer medications or antibiotics can also cause gynecomastia.
Treatment of gynecomastia is also going to vary according to the cause. If it arose with puberty, simply watching and waiting will probably be enough. If believed to be a medication side effect, ceasing that medication is often enough to reverse the condition. If the gynecomastia is a result of another disease, then treating that root disease may treat the gynecomastia as well.
If the gynecomastia is benign in nature, and not a symptom of a more serious problem, then there is no medical need to treat it. However, in some cases, it does present with symptoms of pain. Or, the condition may cause a great deal of embarrassment or emotional difficulties for the patient.
One potential treatment is administration of an antiestrogen, such as Clomiphen, or an estrogen antagonist, such as Tamoxifen. The latter has been shown to be very helpful if used early on and for patients experiencing tenderness. It should be noted that there could be some side effects with both this medications, such as nausea. Other medications that can be used are Danazol or Testolactone. They have each had varying levels of success, but also have some potential side effects, so you should be sure to discuss with your doctor what you might expect from using any medications.
For patients that have had their gynecomastia for a long time, or for whom medications have not worked, surgery can be the answer. A reduction mammoplasty is the treatment of choice. It can also be used for aesthetic reasons and to relieve the emotional issues that can accompany gynecomastia.
Most important is to get a proper diagnosis as to the cause of the gynecomastia. This way you can be sure that there is nothing more serious that needs to be attended to, and it also may point the way to the most appropriate gynecomastia treatment for you. No matter what the cause is, there are several options available, so there is no need to live with the condition.
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