Should I be worried about gynaecomastia?

In our latest article, highly regarded plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon, Dr Costantino Davide, details what exactly gynaecomastia is, what causes it, and how the male-affecting condition is treated. 

What is gynaecomastia, and what are the main causes?

It is an increase in size of the male breast. It can be due to excess fat tissue, or an increase in size of the mammary gland. Both can occur due to the man simply getting older, as the male breast tissue tends to grow the older a man becomes.

How is gynaecomastia diagnosed, and is it a serious condition?

Gynaecomastia is mainly diagnosed through the use of an ultrasound scan. The ultrasound can detect if it is an issue relating to the fat, or perhaps an issue relating to the gland of the breast.

It is not considered to be a serious medical problem, no. It certainly does become a problem for men in relation to their self-confidence, when they become uncomfortable with the appearance of their breasts. Occasionally, if the gland continues to cause problems for men, this could then potentially lead to male breast cancer.

How is it treated?

It is, generally, enough to perform a liposuction. The main aim is to remove the excess fat, so sometimes a mastopexy may also be performed. A compression garment will then be offered to the patient after the surgery and they will be told to wear this for a one full month after their operation.

Can gynaecomastia go away on its own?

It is very unlikely that gynaecomastia will go away on its own without surgical intervention. When a patient has been diagnosed with gynaecomastia, the breast is almost always too big to be treated non-surgically.

Dr Costantino Davide is a reputable London-based plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgeon who specialises in diagnosing and treating gynaecomastia. Check out his Top Doctors profile today to book a consultation with him.