Gynecomastia, aka man boobs, is a common condition affecting countless men across the globe. In fact, it is said that 30% of men will develop this condition before the age of 70. There are usually a lot of jokes about this condition but not to the men who need to live with it daily.

The good news is that gynecomastia can be treated but before you pursue any treatment options, it helps to know a bit more about the condition.

Busting Common Gynecomastia Myths

Myth 1: Gynecomastia is Linked to Excess Fat

This can be the case but many times it isn’t. Excess fat can make a man’s breasts appear larger but true gynecomastia is the result of excess breast tissue. A hormonal imbalance is usually the reason why excess breast tissue tends to develop.

Myth 2: Lifestyle Choices Have Nothing to Do with Gynecomastia

Many people don’t know that excessive alcohol consumption is linked to this condition. Making healthier lifestyle choices is one way to prevent this condition from developing later in life. Medication and endocrine problems can also play a role, so this may be something you want to discuss with your doctor.

Myth 3: Steroids Can Be Used to Treat Gynecomastia

When men have high levels of oestrogen in their bodies, they tend to want to take steroids to counteract this imbalance. However, steroids can actually trigger this condition to begin with, which is why it’s not a viable treatment option. These details about gynecomastia surgery will outline why surgery is the most effective way to treat this condition.  

Myth 4: With Enough Exercise, the Condition Will Subside

It’s not hard to see why people think that increasing the amount of exercise they do will cure gynecomastia. In cases where excess fat is the only reason why the breasts have grown, exercise can certainly help but in cases where excess breast tissue is present, surgery is the only effective treatment option.

Myth 5: Gynecomastia Always Returns

Many men decide not to go ahead with surgery because the condition will return anyway. The truth is that gynecomastia surgery offers permanent results, so this is not something that you will need to deal with again. There are some rare cases where the condition has reoccurred but this is very unlikely.

‍‍Myth 6: Gynecomastia is Very Difficult to Treat

Some people have been lead to believe that gynecomastia is an exceptionally tricky condition to treat, which is why they don’t make the effort to seek treatment. Others didn’t know that surgery was an option at all. Gynecomastia is not a condition you need to live with. It is highly treatable and surgery produces exceptional results. Along with surgery, there are other ways to enhance your results such as reviewing your medication and adjusting your eating plan.

Myth 7: Gynecomastia Can Be Performed By All Doctors

When people hear that gynecomastia is a treatable condition, they tend to believe that any doctor can assist them. If you want to achieve your desired result, you will need to take the time to find a board certified surgeon with specific experience in gynecomastia surgery.