Gynecomastia is still misunderstood in society. Some of them “lubrication” and some of them think “do sports and it will pass” "I don't know what I'm doing. However, the truth of the matter is this. Real gynecomastia is the growth of gland tissue in the breast, not fat. Fat decreases with diet and the body recovers with sports. But if the gland tissue is enlarged, it does not dissolve with diet.
This is exactly why I am writing this article, because the number of patients presenting with gynecomastia has increased significantly in recent years and this issue is not so simple to be taken lightly.
So what is the reason for this increase? It would not be right to attribute it to a single reason. But some things have become very visible. Weight gain, obesity, ultra-processed food and the unregulated supplement market all serve the same picture.
It is important to be clear. Obesity is not only “overweight” is not. As fat tissue increases, hormonal balance may also be affected. In addition, breast enlargement in obesity appears in two different ways. In some, fat tissue is increased and this is pseudo gynecomastia. In some, the gland tissue is really enlarged. There are those who are likely to recover when they lose weight and those who do not recover even if they lose weight. This is where the difference starts. Because if the gland tissue is enlarged, months spent in the gym often lead to nothing.
But it's not just about weight. It is one of the most critical topics of today, “I'm going to build muscle” is the world of supplements and steroids. Unregulated products, mixtures from the internet and supplements with unknown ingredients can upset the hormonal axis. Sometimes even a few months are enough. Then a young man looks in the mirror and sees an unexpected change in his body. Most of the time he is ashamed, postpones, hides it. However, everything that is delayed makes treatment more difficult.
And then there's the one that's been going on for years “hormone chicken” debate. We cannot talk about this issue in a dismissive way. People's concerns are not empty. But the issue is often reduced to a single product. However, the real issue is much broader. Food safety, the production chain, packaging processes, inspections and exposures are all part of this picture. In other words, the issue is not a single chicken, but a system.
And what we have lost the most as a country here is the culture of control. Many issues in the field of health are now linked to the same place. The uncontrolled market is growing, supervision is weakening, advertising is getting stronger. The product is talked about, not the system. However, our bodies live the truth, not the advertisement.
The degree of gynecomastia is important for the same reason. Not every growth is the same. Some patients have a limited tissue increase around the nipple. In some patients, the chest contour is significantly distorted. Some patients develop sagging. As the degree increases, the burden increases. Because this is not only a matter of appearance. It also affects the person's body perception, social life and self-confidence.
This is where I have to speak clearly as a physician. If there is a hard, disk-shaped tissue in the breast, if the growth has become permanent and the person is uncomfortable, the solution is “more sport” is not. The solution is medical evaluation.
The cause is investigated. Hormonal status is evaluated. Medications are questioned. Systemic problems such as liver, kidney and thyroid are excluded. Supplements and steroid use are definitely discussed. Because gynecomastia is sometimes “alarm”is. Ignoring that alarm magnifies the problem.
What about surgery? Yes, surgery is an option. When performed in the right patient, at the right time and with the right technique, it gives extremely satisfactory results. Liposuction is sufficient for some patients. In some, the gland tissue must be removed. In advanced cases, it may be necessary to regulate the placement of the nipple with excess skin. In other words, not all gynecomastia is the same and the treatment cannot be the same.
So let's say this clearly. Gynecomastia is not a shame. It is a body reality. And misinformation consumes not only the patient's body but also his time and self-confidence.
Gynecomastia is a medical issue and there is a solution.