What are the types of Gynecomastia (Man Boobs)

Gynecomastia is a condition when a male experiences enlarged breasts. The Breast may become larger or can grow unevenly. The word “Gynecomastia” is derived from the Greek terms gynec (female) and mastos (breast).

It can be seen in infants, quite often in teenage boys who are going through puberty and old men. Also, the adult men can experience gynecomastia (Manboobs).

For most men, Gynecomastia is painless. Other men can experience some amount of discomfort or pain. The condition can also lead to extreme psychological distress. It can make you feel socially anxious and depressed.

There is no universally accepted classification, but we will take a look at some commonly used classifications.

Pathological classification of Gynecomastia is done depending upon its length and size as: “florid,” “fibrous,” and “intermediate”

This type of gynecomastia is characterized by an abundance of glandular tissue (the tissue responsible for producing milk in females) within the breast.

Florid gynecomastia typically occurs in young men and is associated with hormonal imbalances. It can present as a firm, tender mass beneath the nipple.

This type of gynecomastia is characterized by an excess of fibrous connective tissue within the breast. Fibrous gynecomastia is typically seen in older men and can occur as a result of aging or hormonal imbalances. It can present as a rubbery or firm mass within the breast.

This type of gynecomastia falls somewhere between florid and fibrous gynecomastia in terms of its characteristics. It is often associated with chronic liver disease and can present as a firm, irregular mass within the breast.

In 1973, Simon, Hoffman and Kahn classified Gynecomastia as follows:

Gynecomastia is classified into three grades depending on the amount of breast enlargement, skin excess, and ptosis (drooping of the upper eyelid ). The treatment for each Grade differs depending on the amount of skin excess and ptosis.

Rohrich in 2003 proposed another classification into four grades.

(hypertrophy: increase and growth of muscle cells)

This type of gynecomastia happens due to body’s typical hormonal changes. When the levels of estrogen and testosterone change during puberty, it frequently occurs. Usually, within two years, it gets better by itself.

This kind of gynecomastia is brought on by an underlying medical issue. It can happen at any age and is frequently accompanied by hyperthyroidism, low testosterone levels, kidney illness, liver disease, or hyperthyroidism.

This type of Gynecomastia can be caused as a side effect due to some medications/ drugs. These include of treatments for depression, prostate cancer, and excessive blood pressure.

This type of gynecomastia has no known cause. It occurs in otherwise healthy males and is thought to be related to an imbalance of hormones in the body.

This type of gyno is caused by an excess of fat in the chest area, rather than breast tissue. It is often seen in overweight or obese men.

In this type , only one of the either breast becomes enlarged. While all forms of gynecomastia can be difficult to live with, one-sided gyno tends to cause the most psychological discomfort.

The issue is very visible because there is only one breast like a woman. While some men are quick to pull their shirts off at the first opportunity, men with this condition avoid taking their shirts off for activities like swimming, working out, and intimacy.

It is usually caused by an underlying medical condition or medication, but can also occur for no apparent reason.

This type of gynecomastia affects both breasts and is most commonly found. The swelling of the breast may or may not be symmetrical. The condition presents itself as excess fatty tissue, glandular tissue, fibrous tissue, or a combination of all three.

There are several treatment options for gynecomastia, depending on the severity of the condition and the underlying cause which we provide at our Cosmetic Center.