Mathew (name changed) shared that his behavior changed after he found out about gynecomastia, as he became more distant from socializing and more rude towards others. Saravanan (name changed) was stopped from entering a temple due to his chest being perceived as more feminine than masculine, causing him to worry about his appearance. Dr. Karthik Ram, a cosmetic surgeon, explains that gynecomastia is not a disease but rather a change in the body caused by hormonal imbalances, with four stages ranging from puffy nipples to large sagging breasts. Though it occurs in different age groups, teenagers are more likely to worry about it. While exercise can reduce fat, it cannot correct mammary glands or gynecomastia, which can only be fixed through surgery. Matthew, who is now a doctor, has undergone surgery for gynecomastia with his parent’s understanding after joining medical college, whereas Saravanan underwent surgery on his own due to the ridicule he faced and the discomfort he experienced. While gynecomastia is not a disease, its impact varies from one person to another, with some feeling comfortable with it while others undergo surgery to improve their quality of life.
image source, Getty Images
- author, Murugesh Madakannu
- position, BBC Tamil
“I am naturally jolly with everyone. But everything turned upside down after I started understanding about ‘my condition’. I cut down on socializing. I started behaving rudely,” says Mathew (name changed).
When he was studying in 9th grade, he felt that his chest was abnormally large, and after completing 10th grade, he thought that he could go to the gym and exercise to make his chest normal like other friends. But Mathew realized that his chest didn’t change naturally like other men’s despite the rigorous exercise.
Saravanan (name changed) was stopped when he was 14 years old when he visited the Sabarimala Ayyappan temple.
It was attributed to the fact that his chest looked like a woman’s rather than a man’s. After the tests he was admitted into the temple.
Since he was young at that time, Saravanan did not have much information about it. So this event did not make a big impression on him then. But within the next few years, he began to worry that his chest was not like a man’s.
Both of them suffer from gynecomastia.
What is gynecomastia?
Gynaecomastia is not a disease but a change in the body, says Dr. Karthik Ram, Principal Cosmetic Surgeon, Chennai Plastic Surgery. “Gynecomastia refers to swelling of the chest in men similar to that in women. This condition can be caused due to hormonal imbalance.
There are 4 stages of gynecomastia. In the case of puffy nipples only the nipples are swollen, in the 2nd stage swelling is seen under the nipples. In stage 3, the breast is large, similar to that of women, but there is no chest sag. Large with sagging breasts comes in 4th position.
image source, Karthik Ram
Dr. Karthik Ram
The condition occurs in three age groups: child birth, 10-13 years, and old age. Most of the elderly people don’t care much about it. They leave it as it is.
When it occurs in the teenage years, young people worry about it. Likewise, that’s not to say that gynecomastia doesn’t have much to do with diet. “When we ask people who come to us for treatment, many say they eat too much fast food,” he explained.
Matthew says that because of gynecomastia, he began to change the way he interacted with others.
“Though I’m quite the talkative person, I started keeping a distance from interacting with others because I didn’t want to be made fun of because of my breast swelling. If I go to the swimming pool I will get in before my friends get in the water. I will not allow anyone to touch me and talk to me. If you try to touch me, I will react violently. Of course this is not my nature. But I don’t know any other way,” says Mathew.
Can exercise correct gynecomastia?
Speaking to us, Saravanan said, “Due to gynecomastia, I started avoiding attending college art programs etc. I also avoided going out.
I am naturally a bit overweight. I joined a gym thinking that exercise could cure breast swelling. Even after exercising, the abdominal area has reduced but the swelling of the chest has not improved,” he says. Matthew also told us that his chest swelling did not go away with exercise.
When Dr. Karthik Ram was asked about the belief that many people believe that exercise can cure gynecomastia, he said, “Exercise can reduce fat, but it cannot correct mammary glands. Exercise cannot correct gynecomastia. He said surgery was the only solution.
Matthew is currently a doctor. One of his parents is also in the medical field. As a result, he never hesitated to share his condition at home.
“I came to know about gynecomastia only after I joined medical college. I understood that only through therapy could it be fixed. One of my parents is in the medical field so he understood.
It was a bit difficult to explain to someone else. Then he also understood,” he said. But Saravanano did not tell anyone about her condition at home or in her circle of friends. He said he didn’t tell anyone about this because he was afraid of how they would understand.
People who identify as male at birth and later identify as female identify as transgender. When Dr. Karthik was asked if men with gynecomastia are likely to think of themselves this way, he said that some men have grown beards and moustaches.
He further said, “There is no femininity in them. Hormone testing is not necessary for such people. Gynecomastia is a gland in the chest area and it has nothing to do with femininity.”
image source, Getty Images
We feel natural
“Gynecomastia is not a disease. It’s normal. That’s why insurance doesn’t cover it. If a person decides to live with gynecomastia, it does not affect him much.
A few have Grade 1 status. But they will get discouraged because of that. Few people have female breasts and don’t care too much about it. Although it is a change in the body, the impact it can cause is mind dependent. “Some feel comfortable with the surgery,” said Dr. Karti Ram.
Being a doctor, Matthew has a lot of awareness about gynecomastia. After that he underwent surgery. Medhya said that after the treatment, he has regained his old personality.
“After the treatment I started talking normally with everyone again. People who thought my nature to be angry are amazed at my transformation.
I am now as happy as I was in 9th and 10th standard. I wear t-shirts that are a size larger than before so that others don’t know about my gynecomastia condition. Now I wear t-shirts that suit my size,” he said.
I learned about surgery when I searched the internet for how to fix gynecomastia. Saravanan said that he did the operation without the knowledge of anyone at home.
When the doctors told her that gynecomastia was not a disease and did not require surgery, we posed the question of what prompted her to undergo surgery.
He replied, “I have been ridiculed for my gynecomastia. When visiting some temples they ask you to remove your shirt. I will feel very uncomfortable then.
I can’t wear tight t-shirts like I like. Can’t be normal in public. It was for such reasons that I underwent surgery. Nowadays, there is no hesitation in going shirtless to temples. I like wearing tight t-shirts. I feel happy,” he said.
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