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Gynaecomastia (Male)

Gynaecomastia is a common condition of overdevelopment of breast tissue affecting males.

Male gynaecomastia can affect only one breast or both.  These can be composed of excess fat, breast tissue or both, Gynaecomastia is usually caused by an underlying imbalance in the male and female hormones (testosterone and oestradiol).

If the cause of male chest enlargement is not due to enlargement of glandular tissue, but by an accumulation of fat only, it is called pseudo-gynaecomastia, and usually does not have any underlying medical pathology. 

Treatment of Gynaecomastia

The underlying cause of gynaecomastia must be treated. This may need to be done by an endocrinologist (a hormone specialist). Male chest enlargement without glandular tissue does not need to be investigated further. Certain Anabolic Steroids may cause gynaecomastia. If you are taking these or similiar substances, please advise your Surgeon at your initial consultation.

Once the underlying cause has been determined and reversed, surgical treatment of this problem can commence. The surgical procedure to correct gynaecomastia is called Subcutaneous Mastectomy, or Bilateral Subcutaneous Mastectomy if both sides are operated on.