A New Hairstyle for Summer

Alternatives To Mastectomy For Treating Gynecomastia

1 December 2022

Bob Adams

If you are a man who struggles with gynecomastia, you may have come to assume a mastectomy is your only option for treatment. In some cases, men do end up choosing to go this route. Simply having all of their breast tissue removed does relieve the gynecomastia, after all. But if you don't want to go under the knife and endure such an intensive procedure, there are other things you can try. Here are some less invasive and non-invasive gynecomastia treatment options to consider before opting for a mastectomy.

Medication Changes

Gynecomastia can be a side effect of certain medications, such as steroids, antidepressants, and pain relievers. If you are taking any prescription medications, be sure to let your doctor know. And let them know the gynecomastia bothers you, too. Changing to a different medication or even reducing the dose of the med you're currently taking can help ease the symptoms of this condition. You may not lose your excess breast tissue immediately, but if you see it starting to reduce after a change in medication, you can expect good results in time.

Hormone Therapy

Some men naturally produce more estrogen than others, and this can trigger the breast tissue to grow more abundant than usual. Supplementing with testosterone can help reverse this effect. However, you should only take testosterone supplements under the advisement of a doctor. It is very important that you get the right dose in order to avoid side effects like extreme mood swings and acne. Again, this won't erase your gynecomastia overnight, but it should have a pretty significant effect within a few months.

Liposuction

Your doctor should examine your breasts and let you know whether the excess tissue is glandular breast tissue, or if it is primarily fatty tissue. If it is mostly fat, then you may be able to undergo liposuction rather than a mastectomy. Liposuction is, technically speaking, a surgical procedure. But it is less invasive than a mastectomy, and modern techniques really seek to minimize pain and scarring. This procedure won't alter your breast tissue itself, but it can remove a significant amount of fatty tissue from your breasts, which is all some men need.

If you struggle with gynecomastia, there is no reason to go on suffering. Talk to your doctor about the less invasive options above, and give one or more of them a try. You may end up having surgery, but it's worth exploring alternatives first. 

For more info about gynecomastia treatments, contact a local company. 

Share