Treatment for Gynecomastia in Delafield

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is gynecomastia?
  Gynecomastia is a benign enlargement of glandular breast tissue in males caused by an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. It can affect one or both breasts and is common in newborns, during puberty, and in men over 50. It is different from pseudogynecomastia, which is enlargement caused by fat without growth of glandular tissue.
• What are the symptoms of gynecomastia?
  Common signs include visible swelling and a firm or rubbery mass beneath the nipple. The area may feel tender or sensitive, particularly in the early stages. One or both breasts may be affected, and the enlargement can be asymmetric. Nipple discharge is less common but can occur.
• What causes gynecomastia?
  Gynecomastia develops when the balance between estrogen and testosterone changes. Causes include normal hormonal changes during puberty or aging, medications such as spironolactone and finasteride, medical conditions including liver disease and thyroid disorders, and substances such as anabolic steroids and marijuana.
• When should I see a doctor for gynecomastia?
  Seek medical evaluation for breast enlargement that is new, growing rapidly, painful, one-sided and firm, or accompanied by persistent tenderness. Nipple discharge, especially if it is bloody or dark, a hard or fixed lump, and breast changes accompanied by testicular pain, swelling, or a mass also require evaluation. Seek care as well if the enlargement causes significant distress. Prompt evaluation can help rule out rare conditions such as male breast cancer.
• How is gynecomastia treated?
  Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Many cases, particularly in adolescents, resolve without treatment. Options include addressing an underlying medical cause, adjusting a contributing medication, using hormone-blocking medication in persistent cases, or performing male breast reduction when cosmetically significant gynecomastia has not responded to other approaches.
• Does gynecomastia go away on its own?
  In many cases, yes. Gynecomastia in newborns typically clears within a few months, and most adolescent cases resolve within one to two years. Enlargement that lasts longer than 12 months may become fibrotic and less likely to resolve without intervention. Persistent gynecomastia in adults often benefits from medical evaluation.
• What does gynecomastia surgery involve?
  Gynecomastia surgery, also called male breast reduction, generally removes excess glandular tissue through a small incision near the areola. Liposuction may be combined with direct excision when both fatty and glandular tissue are present. Fat draws out under suction, while the firm glandular tissue behind the nipple does not. The procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis.
• Is gynecomastia a medical problem or a cosmetic one?
  It can be either. Enlargement that is new, rapid, painful, one-sided and firm, or accompanied by nipple discharge or testicular symptoms belongs to a medical workup before a surgical plan, because the possible causes include conditions that surgery would not treat. Enlargement related to a medication or an untreated hormonal cause also needs the cause addressed first, since some cases resolve without an operation. These questions belong at the front of a consultation, before a surgical date is discussed.
• How are the surgical plan and cost determined?
  A dedicated Consona page explains how gynecomastia surgery is performed and what it costs. The operation quoted as standard combines liposuction with direct excision. Grade and tissue composition set the plan, and both are assessed during an examination rather than estimated from a photograph. The ratio of fat to gland determines whether suction alone will do anything. The dedicated surgery page also includes the published cost figure, so that information does not have to wait for a consultation.