You may have gynecomastia and you don't know it
If you have ever heard about what gynecomastia is and you had no idea about it, don't worry, you are not the only one.
It is no secret to anyone that there are a variety of pathologies in the world of medicine, so it is difficult to know them all.
However, in recent years, the incidence of gynecomastia is a subject of research that is of concern to experts in the field.
What is gynecomastia?
To begin with, this term is related to abnormal or pathological breast enlargement in men. Although many do not believe it, 3 out of 10 people can be affected by this common condition in men around the world.
However, it is differentiated by the excessive increase in the mammary gland in men. A process very similar to what happens in women during their development stage.
However, in the male gender it is considered pathological due to its strict relationship with a hormonal imbalance.
The causes of it can be many. However, it has been determined that the most common has been the increase in estrogen in relation to testosterone.
In some scenarios, it is secondary to some blockage in the production and synthesis of testosterone in men.
On the other hand, it is one of the most frequent pathologies in those who exploit a large amount of steroids, drugs or with diseases such as kidney or liver failure.
When is it considered gynecomastia?
While it is true that many men with an athletic life are also recognized by defined pecs, gynecomastia has other ways of manifesting itself.
Normally, the manifestations of this pathology begin to be evident from adolescence. At the same time, its symptoms can be very varied depending on the person, but it has been determined that the most common are:
Excessive sensitivity in the nipples to changes in temperature.
Discomfort or burning when feeling the friction of clothing.
Swelling on the sides of the chest.
Pain when doing any physical effort that involves carrying weight or exerting force with the upper body.
Leakage of liquid in the nipples.
Abnormal coloration in one or both pectorals.
Marks or dimples on the nipple and around one or both breasts.
At what point is it good to go to the doctor?
It is important to keep in mind that as soon as these symptoms begin to appear, it is best to see a doctor for an early diagnosis.
In many cases, this imbalance can heal itself. Even so, if the pain persists or there is any adverse damage, it is possible to treat it with medication. Or, in more aggressive issues, with surgical intervention.
Who is more prone to gynecomastia?
Taking into account that it is common in men, it is not surprising that it appears at different stages throughout his life.
Newly born
Although it is hard to believe, it is normal to see baby boys with an abnormal increase in the pectorals. This is due to the relationship that exists with the increase in estrogen from the mother during pregnancy.
Advantageously, this can disappear some time after birth.
Teenagers
Gynecomastia has a higher rate of appearance in adolescents. This is usually caused by the hormonal changes that occur during puberty. A reluctant problem is that the clinical manifestations can be very relative with respect to age.
However, adolescent breast enlargement can go away on its own without the help of medication in many cases.
Adults
In adults, the rate of manifestation of gynecomastia is quite low. For this reason, when noticing an increase in the volume of the breast, it is best to consult a specialist.
It is important to mention that this condition, in most summaries, does not imply adverse health problems. In fact, the most frequent problem that occurs after diagnosis is related to self-esteem problems in adolescents.
As is known, it is not easy to accept oneself given the appearance that does not correspond to its gender. And, unfortunately, it can be the subject of uncontrolled criticism or ridicule that you need to watch out for.
Otherwise, the mental component can be severely affected with consequences in the medium term.