Gynecomastia in Your 20s

As a young adult male, are you self-conscious about the appearance of your chest? Perhaps you are uncomfortable with the appearance of  “man boobs” or puffy nipples.  If this sounds familiar, you may have a condition called gynecomastia. Learn more about gynecomastia, how it affects young adults, and what treatment options are available. 

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition that causes enlarged or overdeveloped breasts in men of any age, including teens. The main cause is excess glandular tissue. It can result from hormonal changes, obesity, heredity, or the use of certain drugs. While gynecomastia is not always a serious problem, it can be tough for boys and men to cope with it. When gynecomastia develops during the teenage years, it may go away on its own within 1-2 years from when it developed. However, if it is persistent beyond that time frame,  surgery is generally the only viable solution for permanent removal.

There is also a condition called pseudo gynecomastia which may appear similar to gynecomastia but primarily consists of excess fatty tissue, rather than excess glandular tissue. In many cases, this can be resolved with weight loss alone, though liposuction may also be effective.

How Gynecomastia Affects Patients in their 20s

Many men in their 20s with gynecomastia become very self-conscious in an image-centric world. This condition can cause men to feel uncomfortable wearing fitted or stylish clothing and cause emotional discomfort. It is common to become withdrawn and to avoid social settings, especially water activities. Overall, the biggest concerns in this age group are puffy nipples, especially when wearing fitted shirts, and/or a rounded chest fold due to loss of pectorals major muscle definition. The good news is because the skin is youthful and often has good elasticity, natural-looking results are often possible.

Gynecomastia Treatment Options

The most effective treatment option for true gynecomastia is surgery. In cases where glandular tissue is the main cause of enlarged male breasts, excision techniques will be used to remove excess glandular breast tissue. In cases where fatty tissue is the main cause, liposuction alone may be effective. In some cases, a combination of excision and liposuction is used for optimal results. Each gynecomastia surgery is individualized to the patient’s unique case to ensure the best possible outcomes. 

Contact Us Today

If you are seeking an experienced gynecomastia surgeon, contact Dr. Cruise today! Dr. Cruise has become a top gynecomastia doctor by dedicating his practice solely to the art of cosmetic surgery and male breast reduction surgery. He was one of the first plastic surgeons to largely focus his efforts on helping men suffering from gynecomastia.