Upsurge in cases of gynecomastia in teen boys

I actually suffer from this condition, and it makes me sick how men are stigmatized for "man boobs", when most of the time, it's completely out of our control. It's just another testament to the "if you're male you must be this way" mentality that our society has. I've actually been working out for a year and a half trying to fix the problem, to no avail. I really envy that about women. They will never be stigmatized for having enlarged body parts which is out of their control. It's just another way males are scrutinized, while women aren't.

Evan AKA X-TRNL
Real Men Don't Take Abuse!

My brother-n-law had this surgery about a year ago. Even at the beach he would never take his shirt off.

My sister thought the surgery was ridiculous but my brother-n-law doesn't seem to mind her yearly botox treatments. Don't ask me why a 32 year old woman needs botox. I can't figure it out myself.

The video mentioned about $3000 for the surgery. It cost him about about $6000.

........................................................

"Oh the gal I'm to marry
Is a bow-legged sow
I've been soaking' up drink like a sponge"

[Rolling Stones]

Because the surgery is actually covered by health care here in Alberta. I'm giving it until the summer, and if the problem hasn't resolved, I'm going to get the surgery.

Evan AKA X-TRNL
Real Men Don't Take Abuse!

This is about the only exception I ever heard of, to the rule that "no health problem is an issue until it affects women". That is, in this case, a "problem" which cannot affect women..but still, why did it get attention?? Maybe cause they're boys instead of men? Lot's more men than boys suffer from that condition - just look around the gym or at the swimming pool/beach (don't be too conspicuous when looking around though, especially at the gym).

-ax

Okay, now I've seen the mea culpas above..

I have had the condition for years. Before you get any kind of surgery, the doctor is supposed to do a physical exam, and test to see if you're lactating (embarrassing, isn't it?). If not, he's then supposed to do a FULL hormone workup, and following that, if necessary, an MRI of your pituitary gland. Also have testosterone checked to see if it's too low (that should have been tested on the hormone check). That turned out to be the problem in my case. They can give patches or shots to increase the testosterone level. I tried patches but began to get insomnia so we stopped the treatment.

Gynecomastia can be caused as a side effect of certain medications.

I have heard of people taking Bromocryptine (sp) to help alleviate gynecomastia.

Finally, according to liposuction.com, which I last checked about one year ago, male breast reduction generally runs from about about $5500-$7500 for surgical fees. Then add cost for everything else like anesthesiologist and labs, etc.
-ax

Surgery does seem to be a little extreme, so maybe I'll talk to my doctor about the other options you mentioned. Heck, I might not need the treatment. We'll have to wait and see.

Evan AKA X-TRNL
Real Men Don't Take Abuse!