Hello. I am Dr. Seo Hyun-woo, Director of VIBE Plastic Surgery.

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Although I consult and perform many surgeries on women's breasts,

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I feel that the number of men seeking body shape consultations is increasing.

There are men who are particularly reluctant to take off their shirts at the gym or swimming pool during the summer.

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Even if I work out hard or go on a diet, the fat specifically won't go away from my chest area.

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If it remains bulging, you need to suspect 'gynecomastia'.

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Today, I will summarize why gynecomastia occurs and how you can check for it yourself.

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What is gynecomastia?

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Gynecomastia refers to the abnormal enlargement of male breast tissue.

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It is different from simply gaining weight. While there are cases where only fat has accumulated, there are also instances where mammary gland tissue actually develops like that of a woman, and

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There are also many cases where both appear together.

Three types of gynecomastia

1) Fatty type 2) Glandular type 3) Mixed type

• Local type: Cases where only fat is excessively accumulated in the breast area. It often occurs along with general obesity and feels relatively soft to the touch.

  
  

• Gynecomastia type (true gynecomastia): Cases where the mammary gland tissue itself is developed. It is characterized by a hard, round lump felt under the nipple, which does not easily disappear even after losing weight.

  
  

• Mixed type: This is a case where fat and mammary gland tissue develop together, and it is the most commonly observed in actual clinical practice.

  
  This distinction is important because the direction of treatment (whether liposuction alone is sufficient or if mammary gland removal is necessary) varies depending on the type.

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Why does gynecomastia occur?

The underlying cause of gynecomastia is mostly ​호르몬 불균형.

Breast tissue is stimulated and develops when the influence of female hormones (estrogen) becomes relatively greater than that of male hormones (testosterone). Specifically, the following are some of the causes.

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1. hormonal changes during pubertyA significant number of adolescent boys experience temporary gynecomastia. In most cases, it disappears naturally within one to two years, but in some instances, it persists into adulthood.

   
   

2. Hormonal changes associated with agingThis occurs as testosterone secretion decreases after middle age.

   
   

3. obesityIncreased body fat leads to increased estrogen conversion in fat cells, which can worsen gynecomastia.

   
   

4. Drugs and SteroidsAnabolic steroids for muscle growth, some prostate treatments, stomach medications, and antidepressants can be the cause.

   
   

5. impaired liver functionSince the liver is involved in estrogen metabolism, hormonal balance is easily disrupted if you have liver disease.

   
   

6. specific diseasesThyroid dysfunction and decreased kidney function can also be causes.

Self-checklist

If any of the items below apply to you, we recommend that you suspect gynecomastia and consult a specialist.

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• [ ] A hard or bulging lump can be felt below the nipple.

• [ ] The left and right sides are different in size, or one side stands out significantly.

• [ ] Even if I reduce body fat, the volume of the chest area does not decrease easily.

• [ ] Tenderness is felt when pressing the nipple or areola area

• [ ] It protrudes in a bra-like shape and affects the fit of the clothes.

• [ ] I have recently taken or used certain drugs (steroids, etc.).

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If you meet several criteria, it is recommended to undergo an ultrasound examination or similar tests to determine whether it is a fatty or glandular type for an accurate diagnosis.

Conclusion

Gynecomastia is often caused by hormonal imbalance rather than just simple 'fat',

In most cases, exercise or dieting alone cannot solve the problem.

If you suspect anything based on self-diagnosis, we recommend consulting a specialist to determine the exact cause.

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