What is gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a very common condition that affects men and boys, causing the breast tissue to become enlarged or overdeveloped. When someone’s affected by gynecomastia, their breasts typically grow in size and may become uneven. This condition is often caused by changes in the level of estrogen and testosterone, and it can impact either one or both breasts. Gynecomastia can develop in newborn babies, boys experiencing puberty, and adult men. Although this condition typically isn’t serious, it can frequently cause self-consciousness and embarrassment.

Gynecomastia can come in varying severity levels, and for that reason, the condition is typically divided into several grades. Here, we’ll take a look at the different grades and types of gynecomastia.

Gynecomastia Grades

Grade 1 Gynecomastia: Small Breast Enlargement (No Excess Skin)

Grade one gynecomastia is considered to be the most minor form of the condition. This grade of the condition is characterized by a small amount of breast enlargement without the presence of excess skin. With this form of gynecomastia, the condition may not be noticeable at all while you’re wearing a shirt. This grade may also include asymmetry of the breasts. Those who decide to undergo surgery to treat grade one gynecomastia typically receive excellent results.

Grade 2 Gynecomastia: Moderate Breast Enlargement (No Excess Skin)

With grade two gynecomastia, there will be slightly more noticeable breast enlargement. There still won’t be any excess skin, but the breast growth will typically spread broadly across most of the chest. Grade two gynecomastia is when the condition becomes more likely to cause psychological and social problems. This grade of the condition is also when significantly more patients opt to undergo breast reduction surgery.

Grade 3 Gynecomastia: Moderate Breast Enlargement With Excess Skin

If you’re experiencing moderate breast enlargement with excess skin, that’s categorized as grade three gynecomastia. Typically, the presence of excess skin makes the condition quite a bit more noticeable and harder to hide with clothing. With grade three gynecomastia, the enlarged breast tissue can even expand beyond the full width of the chest. Breast reduction surgery is generally the only effective treatment for correcting this type of gynecomastia.

Grade 4 Gynecomastia: Major Breast Enlargement With Excess Skin

Grade four gynecomastia is the most severe type of gynecomastia, and it’s identified by a significant amount of breast enlargement and substantial excess skin. With this grade of the condition, the breasts can often mimic the appearance of female breasts. Boys and men suffering from grade four gynecomastia are highly likely to experience embarrassment, self-consciousness, and social difficulties. However, breast reduction surgery can still potentially reduce the breasts to a more normal size and appearance.

When Is Surgery Necessary for Gynecomastia?

If you or someone you care about is dealing with gynecomastia, breast reduction surgery may be an option that’s worth considering. So, when is it worth turning to surgery to correct this condition? Ultimately, there’s no universal answer. Because gynecomastia will rarely be threatening to your health, you should never feel pressured to undergo surgery if you don’t want to. You need to decide if you’re bothered enough by the condition for surgery to be a worthwhile option. However, if you decide to undergo breast reduction surgery, it can potentially have a massive impact on your appearance and self-confidence.

In some cases, breasts enlarged due to gynecomastia may start to rub against the skin. This can cause rashes, which can sometimes become infected. With the more severe grades of the condition, patients may also experience back pain and/or posture problems due to their enlarged breasts. If you’re dealing with any of these health problems as a result of your gynecomastia, it may cause male breast reduction in Houston to be a more desirable option.

Your Gynecomastia Consultation

If you’re having trouble deciding if breast reduction surgery is right for you, you can always sit down for a consultation with Dr. Arroyo to discuss it. If you have any questions or concerns about the procedure, he can give you detailed info so you know what to expect. He can also talk with you about what type of results you can anticipate if you decide to move forward with surgery.

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