Which One Do I Have – Gynecomastia Or Pseudogynecomastia?

Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is a medical disease in which men’s breast tissue grows abnormally big. It gives the appearance of breasts and may result in distress on the physical and mental levels. The imbalance in the body’s levels of the male and female hormones, testosterone and oestrogen, is the cause of the condition of gynecomastia. 

Males of all ages, from infants to adulthood, can develop gynecomastia. Temporary gynecomastia can develop during puberty as a result of hormonal changes, although this condition often goes away on its own within a few months to two years. Gynecomastia, however, can occasionally last far into adulthood.

Pseudogynecomastia

Pseudogynecomastia, is a disorder where men develop an overgrowth of fat in their breast region. Pseudogynecomastia is largely characterised by an increase in adipose tissue or fat deposition in the chest region, as opposed to gynecomastia, which entails the enlargement of glandular tissue.
Typically linked to weight gain and obesity, pseudogynecomastia is mostly caused by these conditions. Everywhere on the body, including the chest region, fat cells gather when a person puts on too much weight. This may give the misleading impression of gynecomastia by making breasts appear. Lifestyle elements including being sedentary, eating poorly, and not exercising cause weight increase, which leads to pseudogynecomastia.

Gynecomastia vs. Pseudogynecomastia: Knowing the Difference

Gynecomastia

Definition

• The expansion of male breast tissue, known as gynecomastia, gives the breasts a more feminine appearance.
• Usually, it equally affects both breasts thus they grow symmetrically.
• A stiff or rubbery lump beneath the nipple area may be a symptom of gynecomastia.
  
  Causes
• An imbalance in the amounts of the male hormones testosterone and oestrogen frequently results in causing gynecomastia.
• The balance of hormones can be upset by puberty, ageing, and several medical diseases, including hypogonadism.
• Gynecomastia is a side effect that can be brought on by a number of drugs, including antiandrogens, anabolic steroids, and some antidepressants.
• Gynecomastia and hormonal abnormalities can be caused by conditions like liver illness, kidney disease, and tumours.
• Gynecomastia patients sometimes report breast sensitivity or pain.
  
  Diagnosis
• For diagnosing gynecomastia, Your doctor will review your medical history and ask a few questions about your symptoms, prescriptions, and drug use for doing proper analysis of your cognition.
• The characteristics of the breast tissues will be evaluated, and other possible reasons will be ruled out, through a complete physical examination.
• To assess the levels of oestrogen, testosterone, and other hormones, a doctor may perform hormonal blood tests.
• To further analyse breast tissue, imaging tests like mammography or ultrasound may be used in specific circumstances.
  
  Treatment
• Gynecomastia brought on by puberty-related hormonal changes frequently goes away on its own within a few years in many cases of men and thus does not need any kind of proper treatment or surgery.
• Surgical therapies like liposuction or mastectomy may be suggested in extreme situations or when conservative therapy is unsuccessful. Breast Tissues are directly removed from the breasts with the help of incisions during proper surgery and use of anaesthesia is done under it.
• Breast tissue growth can be controlled with the use of aromatase inhibitors or selective oestrogen receptor modulators (SERMs).
  
  

  Pseudogynecomastia

  
  Definition

• False gynecomastia, often referred to as pseudogynecomastia, is the accumulation of extra fat in the breast region without a discernible expansion of the glandular tissue.
• Instead of a hard bulk beneath the nipple, it often causes the breasts to appear mushy and obese.
• Everywhere on the body, including the chest region, fat cells gather when a person puts on too much weight. This extra fat deposition can resemble breast tissue and mimic gynecomastia. 

Causes

• Inactivity, poor eating habits, and insufficient exercise can all lead to weight increase and thus to pseudogynecomastia.
• Pseudogynecomastia is frequently linked to obesity, especially in the chest region.
• A larger amount of fat is deposited, giving the illusion of larger breasts.

Diagnosis

• A physical examination will concentrate on analysing the makeup of the breast tissue, especially searching for extra fatty tissue.
• Blood tests may be used to rule out hormonal imbalances in order to differentiate between pseudogynecomastia and genuine gynecomastia.

Treatment

• Pseudogynecomastia can be treated by adopting some lifestyle changes like intake of a nutritious diet and regular exercise routine to lower overall body fat or you can consult a doctor to make sure you are not having some serious condition.
• It is possible to undertake liposuction, a minimally invasive technique, to get rid of extra breast fat in case of extreme discomfort and disappointment in your body.
  
  Although gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia may have physically identical symptoms, their aetiology and methods of diagnosis differ. For the right diagnosis and treatment, it is essential to comprehend the differences between the two. Consult a healthcare provider as soon as you feel you may have gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia so they can thoroughly assess you and direct you towards the best course of action for your particular problem.