Men who suffer from breast enlargement called gynecomastia and seek to have this condition treated often initially and primarily consult with a plastic surgeon in the hopes of transforming their female-like breasts into a more masculine one. Surgery is the refuge of men who is in need of improving the aesthetic value of their breasts for the most sought after self-confidence boost. But is it enough to consult a plastic surgeon for the treatment of the said condition?
It is important to know before any consultation that gynecomastia is a condition which is caused by various physiologic and non-physiologic factors, and often, a certain combinations of these things. Mainly, this condition is linked physiologically to hormonal imbalances that take place in the body, specifically, when naturally-occurring estrogenic hormones surpass its average level for males. Basically, estrogenic hormones are responsible for increasing the deposition of breast tissue on the chest area. With this hormonal imbalance, even men who workout properly and follow a healthy diet regimen, cannot escape breast enlargement. These occur naturally among men during infancy, puberty, and senility, and often goes back to normal upon regaining the balance of the hormones inside the body. However, there are cases wherein the cause of breast enlargement is brought about by the intake of certain medications and drugs. This is a common condition for bodybuilders and professional athletes who are taking prohormones and anabolic steroids for their training. These hormone inducing and/or enhancing chemical substances, affects the balance of the hormones already at work inside the body, resulting in man boobs. Even those who are being treated for disorders such as prostate enlargement and male-pattern baldness experience man boobs because of the counter androgenic hormones that are being administered to them. In addition, there are also cases wherein obesity is the main precursor.
Knowing the wide array of possible causes of this condition, it is now crucial to seek the help a doctor who can specifically determine these factors in order to prevent the underlying cause from further growing the breasts, and for those who are to undergo surgery, to prevent its future recurrence. This is where endocrinology consultations come in. Endocrinology, in simple terms, is the field of medicine dealing with hormones. In this field, endocrinologists, assess the lack or excess of hormones, and the diseases that are associated with hormones. Through a consultation with an endocrinologist, a patient with gynecomastia may learn about the status of his hormones and even find out if he is suffering from other hormonal-related disorders that may in fact be the cause of having man boobs.
In a typical consultation, one must expect a thorough speculation of one’s medical history, an overall physical examination, and even a blood and urine test. This is not to say that an “endo” consultation is a prerequisite for a surgery consultation, but merely a justification of the need to thoroughly examine all possible unerlying factors for breast enlargement that may be linked to hormones.
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