The problem of gynecomastia is one of the most annoying problems that men may suffer from, due to the extreme embarrassment that it can cause and an unacceptable appearance for a man. In many cases, there may be confusion between gynecomastia and the accumulation of fat in this area due to the similarity of symptoms. So what is the difference between gynecomastia and fat in men? This is what we will introduce you to and more with Tajmeeli.

Although the problem of gynecomastia in men is not included among the serious health problems, it remains one of the worrisome and haunting problems for a large segment of men, due to the significant effects it causes on mental health, self-confidence, and outward appearance. Finding appropriate and effective solutions to this problem, after determining the real cause behind it and trying to differentiate between gynecomastia and fat, or what is known as false gynecomastia.

What is meant by gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia in men is defined as an increase in the size of the breast in a way that exceeds the normal size in a remarkable and unusual way, and it usually comes as a result of an imbalance in the hormonal system in the body, especially the hormones (testosterone and estrogen), and gynecomastia in men is a clear indication of a problem in the proportion of Distribution of female and male hormones in the body. This problem can arise primarily as a result of genetics or as a result of the nature of the body itself. It can also arise as a result of some pathological symptoms or due to taking some medications and drugs that lead to an imbalance in the hormonal system in the human body and other This is one of the countless reasons that differ from one person to another.

What are the causes of gynecomastia in men?

1- Genetic factor:

It is possible that genetic factors affect the incidence of gynecomastia in men, whether this type of gynecomastia is fatty or real. It is not surprising that a person suffers from this problem as a result of a previous infection of a family member with it, but it remains a cause of low incidence compared to other factors. causing this problem.

2- Medicines and drugs:

Taking certain types of drugs and drugs plays a pivotal role in the incidence of gynecomastia in men, and these drugs usually affect the distribution and natural ratios of hormones in the human body, the most famous of which are:

• Anti-inflammatories such as corticosteroids.
• Androgen-inhibiting drugs, including drugs used in the treatment of colon and prostate cancer, such as the finasteride group and anti-cancer agents in general.
• Medical drugs used in the treatment of depression, anxiety and insomnia, the most famous of which are: (Tricyclic Antidepressants, Alpraxolam, Diazepam).
• Medicines used to treat stomach ulcers and bowel movement regulators.

3- Overweight:

Obesity is one of the most important factors affecting the incidence of fatty gynecomastia or what is known as (pseudo gynecomastia) in men, especially in men whose body mass rates exceed 40, and obesity can exacerbate the condition of true gynecomastia in In the event of infection, it makes medical treatment with it more difficult.

4- Hormonal imbalances:

Hormonal imbalances are one of the most important factors affecting gynecomastia in men, and as everyone knows, the female hormone estrogen and the male hormone testosterone play a pivotal role and are responsible for all sexual characteristics in men and women, so any imbalance in the distribution of these two hormones can cause It causes an infinite range of symptoms, and for men, the increase in the proportion of the female hormone will cause the problem of real gynecomastia, so maintaining a balance between hormones in the body is necessary and required.

5- Health symptoms:

Some diseases that a person suffers, whether accidentally or emergency, can cause the problem of gynecomastia, and cancer, especially colon and prostate cancer, is one of the most common causes of gynecomastia for men. This leads to the emergence of this problem, and any deficiencies in the functions of the thyroid gland and the gonads responsible for controlling estrogen and testosterone in the body would cause an imbalance in the distribution of the hormone in the body, which would exacerbate the symptoms of the gynecomastia problem dramatically.

What is the difference between gynecomastia and fat?

There is usually a clear confusion in differentiating between the problem of fat accumulation in the chest area in men, which causes the emergence of this area, which is called (fatty gynecomastia or false gynecomastia) and the real gynecomastia as a result of hormonal changes in the man’s body. What is the difference between gynecomastia and fat? We will explain This difference is as follows:

First – true gynecomastia (Gynecomastia):

It is a noticeable and abnormal increase in the size of the chest area as a result of an abnormal increase in the proportion of estrogen (the female hormone) and in turn a decrease in the proportion of testosterone (the male hormone), and this defect may arise in only one aspect of the The chest or on both sides, it can also appear in younger men and in adult men alike. There are no tangible symptoms of the problem of gynecomastia except the swollen shape of the chest and feeling a kind of tingling and pain at times. It can also result in swelling and inflammation, which requires a doctor’s consultation.

Second – Fat accumulations (Pseudogynecomastia):

It is also called seborrheic gynecomastia or false gynecomastia, which usually affects people who suffer from the problem of obesity and an imbalance in the distribution of fat in the body, which leads to its accumulation noticeably in the chest area. False gynecomastia is not limited to adult men only, but It can also affect children and young people in the prime of age, and doctors usually advise treating this type of gynecomastia through diets and sports that help in losing weight.

When should a gynecomastia patient visit a doctor?

Usually, the problem of gynecomastia does not affect the life and health of a person seriously, but some of the symptoms associated with this problem, whether it is a bad appearance of the body or pain, can cause inconvenience to the patient in a way that prompts him to search for an effective solution to this problem, but in general there are some symptoms that necessitate you A visit to the doctor includes:

• Inflammation and swelling of the breast area frequently.
• Feeling of constant pain that does not respond to safe analgesics.
• Excretion of secretions accompanying the feeling of pain.
• The appearance of ulcers on the surface of the breast.
• The presence of lumps under the surface of the skin of the breast area.

Treating the real problem of gynecomastia in men:

The treatment of the problem of gynecomastia in men depends in the first place on determining the cause of the problem. Based on this, the doctor can talk with the patient about deciding the treatment method to be followed. In general, there are fixed treatment methods to get rid of the problem of gynecomastia for men, which are:

• In the case of gynecomastia as a result of taking testosterone-inhibiting drugs, especially in the case of cancer, the doctor resorts in this case to reorganizing the therapeutic dose or replacing it with other drugs that are less harmful in this regard.
• In the event of gynecomastia infection as a result of a defect in the distribution of hormones in the body, the doctor begins his treatment plan by prescribing drugs that regulate the ratio between hormones in the body, for example: Tamoxifen.
• In the end, and with the failure of the previous options, the doctor may resort to surgery to remove the breast tissue. This surgery is not limited to removing the fatty layer alone, but also includes the removal of all the fatty and glandular tissue in the breast area, in order to ensure that this problem does not return again.

Treatment of the problem of seborrheic gynecomastia in men:

First: The surgical path (liposuction):

In the case of false gynecomastia or that results from the accumulation of fat in the breast area, doctors are advised to resort to liposuction as an effective solution to this problem, and liposuction is considered a preferred option for doctors in this case, due to its effective and quick results in It is both, but it remains an option for the patient in the first place, of course.

Second: Exercise:

Regular exercise contributes to getting rid of the problem of obesity and the accumulated fat in certain areas of the body, which greatly helps in treating the problem of fatty gynecomastia for men through weight loss, and the doctor can also use modern means to dissolve fat Such as laser beam waves in order to increase effectiveness and get better results.

Third: Diets:

Eating low-calorie foods and following good diets helps to get rid of the fat accumulated in the breast area, which is responsible for this problem.