How to Emotionally Support Someone with Gynecomastia

Our culture has deeply ingrained beliefs that breasts are always female. That’s why a cis man with breasts is so alien to our imagination and does not fit in our belief system. As a result, men who have gynecomastia often suffer in isolation without any help.

What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a medical disorder that causes abnormal enlargement of breast tissue in men. It usually affects boys in puberty and old men who have crossed their 60’s. It is also sometimes called a “benign overgrowth of breast tissue.”

A variety of factors can trigger this condition in men:

• Hormonal imbalance
• Low testosterone
• Obesity
• Steroids
• Certain medications

The Psychological Effects of Gynecomastia

While gynecomastia is physically harmless, it causes most patients emotional and psychological trauma. Adolescent boys are the most affected by this condition. It can make them self-conscious about their body and force them into isolation. It can have a lasting effect (emotionally and psychologically) if left untreated.

Many boys with gynecomastia become loners, avoiding group activities that may expose them to public scrutiny. They tend to dress in baggy clothes to cover up their breasts, or fear swimming without a shirt.

Social anxiety in young boys could lead to clinical depression, stress eating, and emotional isolation. They are also subjected to bullying by their peers at school, which compounds the effects of the trauma.

The Impact of Gynecomastia on Adults

Gynecomastia has an adverse effect on grown men as well. Caused by hormonal imbalance or low testosterone levels in adult men, it can lead to intimacy issues—many men with gynecomastia avoid dating. Deep fear of rejection and humiliation in public could make some men defensive, rude, and even self-destructive. That might lead to more dangerous conditions like depression and other mental disorders.

It’s important to note that many men who had gynecomastia as boys will suffer the same effects as their untreated social anxiety travels with them into adulthood. Even after corrective surgery, it’s important for men to examine the emotional fallout in a safe community.

The Internet provides many avenues to join social groups with the similar background and discuss. It also has enough material to educate people about this condition and the treatments available. Awareness about gynecomastia will help a lot in acceptance of the people with this disorder, which is crucial for their treatment.

Treatment for Gynecomastia

Most of the cases in adolescent boys will go away by itself as soon as their hormones stabilize. If it is due to hormonal imbalance in adult men, corrective surgery can remove the excess growth tissue. You can see our gynecomastia gallery to see examples of how the corrective surgery affects the shape of a man’s chest.

If you are looking for experts in gynecomastia treatment in NYC or Long Island area, Wall Street Cosmetic Surgery is the place to go. Our highly-skilled and experienced staff, along with our state of the art equipment, will ensure that you get the best treatment at an affordable price.

Book a free consultation with one of our experts to learn the treatment options available.