What is Gynecomastia?
The most important components that keep people alive are hormones. However, its increase or decrease due to different reasons may bring about some health and aesthetic problems. Gynecomastia also draws attention as a condition that men often encounter. It occurs when estrogen, known as the female hormone, blocks testosterone, which is the male hormone. This is most noticeable with the growth of the chest area and nipple.
Gynecomastia is a condition of breast growth that occurs when the level of estrogen in the male body increases. The age range at which it can be seen is too much and the range of its appearance is too frequent. Research has shown that one out of every 4 men today encounters this disorder. It does not cause severe health problems. Severeconditions that reduce the quality of life can be seen. However, the image it creates from an aesthetic point of view is a situation that men do not want. Therefore, the situation can be controlled with various drugs and surgical interventions.
Who Has Gynecomastia?
We have already said that estrogen is the female hormone. But it is not a hormone specific to women. Their male bodies also produce this hormone. Today, thisindifference is often seen in the following three groups:
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In newborns
Especially in newborn babies, breast growth can be seen as a result of being born with estrogen taken from the mother’s womb. However, this condition disappears on its own without the need for treatment.
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Adolescents
Gynecomastia is also a common condition during adolescence, when human hormones change the most. This is often the case in an adolescent who spends his adolescence with the rapid change of hormones.
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Above middle age
It is also a concept that is often encountered between the ages of 50 and 69 in men. As a result of hormone changes in this period, lyrics are seen.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
There can be many reasons for this situation caused by hormone changes. Common causes include genetics, drugs used, alcohol, substance use, and sometimes diet. However, hormones that develop due to other diseases can also be the cause. The main ones are as follows:
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Thyroid gland
This gland produces the thyroid hormone, which controls many activities in the body. Excess production of this hormone is among the causes of gynecomastia .
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Renal failure
This disease and its dialysis effectscan often be seen because it changes the hormone balance in the body.
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Tumors
Especially tumors that form in the region of reproductive and excretory organs cause this discomfort.
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Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis, a liver disease, is one of the main causes. The conversion of some hormones into estrogen and the drugs used in the treatment of cirrhosis play an active role.
The disease of our time, obesity, is one of the important reasons that trigger this disorder in men.
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Aging
Hormone changes are seen in men, especially after the age of 50. This causes gynecomastia to be seen.
Apart from these, the consumption and use of chemical or herbal products can also have an effect. It has been seen that it is caused by products such as mpuan, cream, soap that contain estrogen. In addition, foods containing soy raise estrogen. Therefore, it is important not to be consumed in excess by men.
What are the Symptoms of Gynecomastia?
The disease can manifest itself in both breasts as well as in one breast. The diagnosis of the disorder is made after a detailed examination by an endocrinology specialist. The physician performs a manual examination in the chest area, sexual organ and abdomen. In addition, information about family members is requested for the importance of genetic factors during the examination. On the other hand, blood samples and advanced imaging systems may also be needed. The following symptoms can give the specialist doctor the necessary signals during the examination of the patient:
- Pain and soreness that comes with tenderness in the chest area
- Discharge from the nipples
- The difference in size between the two breasts
- Sensation of lump under the breast
- Swelling in the armpits
If these symptoms are seen and persist, it is necessary to be examined by a physician quickly.
How is Gynecomastia Treated?
First of all, we need to state thatthe treatment of this disorder can be done entirely with medical interventions. If the above symptoms are seen, the endocrinologist will be able to make a definitive diagnosis and treatment. However, not every gynecomastia case needs treatment. There are also cases that are expected to pass spontaneously under the control of a physician.
The condition seen in newborn babies is not treated. It has been seen that male babies are born with large breasts due to the estrogen they are exposed to in the mother’s womb. However, this condition disappears within 3 weeks without requiring treatment. Its continuation requires a specialist physician examination.
For cases during adolescence, the physiciancan decide on similar conditions. In some cases, hormones can be expected to improve and pass by themselves. Because the variability of hormones during adolescence is high. In this case, the physician observes the progression of the condition by examining it periodically.
In cases of gynecomastia in adults, the size of the lump under the chest is important. The physician may want to keep track of the lump under control. Especially tubers smaller than 4 centimeters are expected to pass spontaneously with eryodic examinations. If the lump is in the range of 4-6 centimeters, hormone therapy can be applied with medication. If the lump is larger than 6 centimeters and is hard, the physicianmay need surgical intervention.
Here, after the exact condition of the discomfort is determined, treatment is started. Only the reduction of adipose tissue provides the desired appearance. In this case, the physician vacuums the excess fat with the method called l iposuction. In the second possibility, an intervention called m astectomy, which is also a surgeon, is applied. With this method, the mammary gland tissue is completely removed. Both methods are performed by making small incisions. A few days after the operation, the patient can return to normal life. However, it is necessary to use a gynecomastia corset for a while.
Gynecomastia and Nutrition
If a person has this ailment, he should pay attention to his nutrition and change his lifestyle accordingly. The progression of this disease, the occurrence of which cannot be prevented, can be prevented by changes in lifestyle. In the researches conducted on this subject, it has been determined that nutrition has an important place. Some of the recommendations for nutrition are as follows:
- Most importantly, foods that trigger this hormone should be avoided as the body already increases estrogen production. It is to stay away from foods such as dates, sesame seeds, raisins.
- All kinds of products containing soy increase the production of estrogen hormone. For this, the consumption of all kinds of soy products, from tofu cheese containing soy to soy sauce, should be reduced.
- Today’s farm animals are fed with soy-based feeds. It is also claimed that these animals are given hormones to ensure their rapid growth . Therefore, it is necessary to minimize consumption. Especially since ready-made feeds in farm animals trigger the production of estrogen, their consumption can advance the discomfort.
- It is important to reduce alcohol consumption. If the mumpis nse, you should not consume at all.
- Products in plastic packaging should not be consumed. While the unhealth of these containers was discussed, the effect on hormone balance was also raised.
- Foods containing omega-3 fats, such as seafood, natural olive oil, should be consumed. Especially fish such as salmon and sardines are rich in these nutrients. In addition, the consumption of sunflower oil containing omega-6 should be stopped. In addition, sugar should be minimized, if possible, left.
- Dark leafy greens such as arugula or lettuce are foods that increase It is recommended to consume it in abundance.
- Yellow and orange fruits are likewise those that increase testosterone . Acidic fruits such as oranges, grapefruits should be preferred.
- Nuts containing natural oils such as almonds and hazelnuts should also be consumed.
Sports and Lifestyle Change Requirement for Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is not a disease that can be prevented and passed on naturally. However, his lifestyle can hinder his progress. For this, regular sports are the most important of the recommendations. Playing sports is not only necessary to get the chest area in shape. Hormone balancing in the body can be achieved through sports. Apart from this, muscle tightening can be achieved with physical activities that work the chest area.
In conclusion, the priority ofthose who suffer from this trouble is to listen to the advice of the octors. Afterwards, lifestyle changes may be required. If it does not reduce the comfort of life and does not cause health problems, gynecomastia is only an aesthetic problem. However, today’s medicine has shown the development that will eliminate this problem.