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How Is Gynecomastia Treated ?
Question: good morning doctor, i am having very large breast just like womens have it can u suggest me any medicine for that or should i go to cosmetic surgery
Hi Sitaram,
Thanks for your query.
Development of large breasts in a male is known as 'Gynecomastia'.It happens due to a hormonal imbalance with increase in the hormone called estrogen which is responsible for the proliferation of breast tissue. This hormonal imbalance could be due to many reasons
1. Pubertal gynecomastia: if present since puberty
2. Drug side effects
3. Testicular tumors
4. Hyperthyroidism
5. Hypogonadism
6. Sometimes no cause can be found
Since you have mentioned that you have been on antidepressants like Sertraline for 10 years, there is a possibility that the breast enlargement is a side effect of the drug. Though not a very common side effect of SERTRALINE, it may cause gynecomastia.
Before deciding on treatment (medical or surgery), first and foremost it is necessary to confirm the cause for the gynecomastia. This can be done with physical examination and investigations for hormone levels, and renal and liver functions.
Depending on the cause, treatment maybe done with medicines or surgery. Medicines do help in this condition. Some medicines that a doctor may prescribe you after tests and examination are clomiphene, tamoxifene and danazol. If the size of the breast is bigger then surgery is the best method, but in some cases doctors first try with medicines.
I suggest you to consult a general surgeon for this. He would be able to direct you on the choice of treatment after an examination and investigations.
Meanwhile, I would suggest you not to stop the antidepressants on your own, or alter the dose, as it will cause withdrawal symptoms and side effects. You must consult your doctor to determine if the medicine is the cause for your problem.
Hope I answered your query,I will be available for follow ups as well.
Thanks for your query.
Development of large breasts in a male is known as 'Gynecomastia'.It happens due to a hormonal imbalance with increase in the hormone called estrogen which is responsible for the proliferation of breast tissue. This hormonal imbalance could be due to many reasons
1. Pubertal gynecomastia: if present since puberty
2. Drug side effects
3. Testicular tumors
4. Hyperthyroidism
5. Hypogonadism
6. Sometimes no cause can be found
Since you have mentioned that you have been on antidepressants like Sertraline for 10 years, there is a possibility that the breast enlargement is a side effect of the drug. Though not a very common side effect of SERTRALINE, it may cause gynecomastia.
Before deciding on treatment (medical or surgery), first and foremost it is necessary to confirm the cause for the gynecomastia. This can be done with physical examination and investigations for hormone levels, and renal and liver functions.
Depending on the cause, treatment maybe done with medicines or surgery. Medicines do help in this condition. Some medicines that a doctor may prescribe you after tests and examination are clomiphene, tamoxifene and danazol. If the size of the breast is bigger then surgery is the best method, but in some cases doctors first try with medicines.
I suggest you to consult a general surgeon for this. He would be able to direct you on the choice of treatment after an examination and investigations.
Meanwhile, I would suggest you not to stop the antidepressants on your own, or alter the dose, as it will cause withdrawal symptoms and side effects. You must consult your doctor to determine if the medicine is the cause for your problem.
Hope I answered your query,I will be available for follow ups as well.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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