What is the Most Common Cause of Gynecomastia?

What is the most common cause of gynecomastia surgery? This condition is caused by an imbalance of the male hormones estrogen and androgen. This imbalance results in the enlargement of glandular tissue in the breasts. Some of the other causes are obesity, mastitis, and fatty deposits in the breasts. But the most common cause is a hormonal imbalance in which estrogen levels are higher than androgen.

Physiologic gynecomastia

Physiologic gynecomastial tissue is defined as breast tissue more than 0.5 cm in diameter and located around the nipple in males. Deposition of fat is not true gynecomastia. A doctor will likely order a mammogram if there is suspicion of cancer. Other tests may be recommended to determine if there is another cause. These tests may include blood work to measure hormone levels and liver and kidney function.

The most common causes of physiologic gynekomastia are listed in Table 1. Some of these conditions may be self-limiting and may not require medical treatment, although they may call for a different kind of treatment. Other causes of gynecomastia are discussed below. Most of the cases are bilateral, but they may also be unilateral or asymmetric. As men age, the connective tissue component of gynecomastia tends to become denser and fibrotic.

Physiologic gynecomastia surgery cost are benign. There is no known reason why males develop breast tissue, but they may have it in varying degrees. Gynecomastia is often a result of hormonal imbalances, ranging from hormonal deficiencies to medications. In some cases, gynecomastia may also be a symptom of a neoplasm, though this is rare.

Increased estrogen levels

There is no cure for enlarged breasts, but medication may help alleviate symptoms. Medications for gynecomastia aim to restore the normal balance of estrogen and testosterone in the body. Surgery may be the best option if medication does not work. A nurse navigator will help women understand the risks and benefits of surgery and guide them through the process.

High estrogen levels affect males differently than females. Men with high levels are more likely to develop depression. In women, estrogen regulates cholesterol levels, helps maintain bone health, and has a profound impact on mood and behavior. In both sexes, estrogen influences the menstrual cycle, puberty, and pregnancy and menopause. Estradiol is the strongest form of estrogen and is the marker doctors use to monitor ovarian health.

However, not all hyperthyroid men develop symptoms of gynecomastists. The length of exposure to high levels of estrogen and its effect on the target tissues may be important factors in the development of gynecomastia. Furthermore, increased levels of free androgen may be the result of an abnormal gonadotropin axis.

Increased aromatase activity

Gynecomastia is caused by excessive aromatization of testosterone in the testes. There are several different causes of this condition, but increased aromatase activity is the most common. Increased estrogen levels may also result from stimulation of peripheral aromatase by the thyroid hormone. Interestingly, men with untreated thyrotoxicosis are often found to have very high SHBG and very low free testosterone. This may be a result of the high amount of SHBG binding to testosterone, which in turn results in an elevated free estrogen to testosterone ratio. However, most obese men do not have elevated levels of serum estrogen.

Conclusion

Although rare, familial gynecomastia is also known to occur in males. X-linked traits and autosomal dominant inheritance are responsible for some cases. In some cases, increased aromatase activity may be due to a deficiency in zinc. In addition, consuming large amounts of refined carbohydrates may increase the risk of gynecomastia.

Other causes of gynecomastiosis include Leydig cell tumors, Sertoli cell tumors, and adrenocortical or pituitary gland tumours. Prostate cancer patients may also experience gynecomastia. In some cases, the condition is accompanied by pubertal gynecomastia or involutional breast enlargement.