There are several causes of gynecomastia which may cause the development of excess glandular tissue in one or both of a male's breasts. Depending on the causes of gynecomastia, there are a variety of treatment options available. Gynecomastia cosmetic surgery is one option in treating a patient's gynecomastia, but the causes of gynecomastia must be determined in order to ensure that surgery is a patient's best option.

In 2003 alone, more than 22,000 men underwent gynecomastia surgery making it one of the top five male cosmetic procedures performed in the United States. People seek this surgery because of a variety of causes of gynecomastia. In some cases the causes of gynecomastia will result in the development of excess glandular breast tissue, which occurs in cases of true gynecomastia. In other cases, the causes of gynecomastia result in the development of excess fatty tissue in the male breast area which is defined as pseudo-gynecomastia. Both of these conditions can be treated successfully by gynecomastia surgery after other treatment options have been explored.

The most common cause of gynecomastia is puberty. During adolescence, changes in hormones are one of the major causes of gynecomastia. Fluctuations in hormones cause the development of excess glandular breast tissue in more than fifty percent of pubertal males. Most of the time the hormonal causes of gynecomastia will disappear and the excess breast tissue will disappear within a few months or years. Ninety percent of all teen male's gynecomastia disappears within three years when hormones are the causes of gynecomastia.

Certain medical conditions can be the underlying causes of gynecomastia. Chronic liver disease, leukemia, hemophilia, leprosy, tumors, and genetic disorders such as Klinefelter's syndrome and Gilbert's syndrome can all be the causes of gynecomastia. Often the direct treatment of these causes of gynecomastia will mitigate the extent of gynecomastia in a patient and in other cases surgery is the best treatment to resolve the condition.

Several prescription and illegal drugs can be the causes of gynecomastia. Certain prescription drugs such as ketoconazole, reserpine, tricyclic antidepressants, and corticosteroids, and many others can be the causes of gynecomastia. Illegal drugs such as anabolic steroids, marijuana, and heroine can also be the causes of gynecomastia. Terminating the use of these drugs can often improve a patient's gynecomastia condition.

Other causes of gynecomastia can include poor diet and exercise that leads to weight gain. Being over weight can cause the development of excess fatty tissue in the male breasts. Often times a change in diet and exercise can improve a patient's gynecomastia.

If you are concerned about the causes of gynecomastia, you may wish to speak with a trained cosmetic surgeon who can help you discover your causes of gynecomastia and the best way to treat your condition.