Gynaecomastia in Vienna

An enlarged male breast is more common than many people think: up to 40–50% of all men are affected at some point in their lives. For many, it is a great burden – at the swimming pool, during sport or even in a close-fitting shirt. Dr. Handl corrects gynaecomastia surgically in Vienna and restores a flat, masculine chest contour.

In true gynaecomastia, the glandular tissue of the breast is increased, usually for hormonal reasons due to an imbalance between oestrogen and testosterone. In pseudogynaecomastia, by contrast, the volume is caused by excess fatty tissue, often with excess weight. Frequently, a mixed form is present.

Every treatment is therefore preceded by a careful assessment: palpation, ultrasound and, if needed, hormone levels in the blood. An enlargement that is one-sided, painful or changing, lumps or discharge from the nipple should always be examined by a doctor.

The most common causes are hormonal fluctuations, for example during puberty or in older age. Diseases of the liver or kidneys, hormone-producing tumours, certain medications such as psychiatric drugs or blood pressure medication, as well as anabolic steroids, other steroids and alcohol can also trigger gynaecomastia. Genetic predisposition also plays a role.

Sometimes weight loss or a change of medication already helps, and with a clear hormonal cause, hormone therapy may also help. If the breast remains enlarged, surgery is the most reliable solution.

Dr. Handl usually combines two procedures: the fatty tissue is removed by liposuction, and the firm glandular tissue is removed through a small, crescent-shaped incision at the edge of the areola. The procedure takes one to two hours and is performed under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the findings.

After the operation, the chest is flatter and firmer, clothes fit better, and sport or the swimming pool become a matter of course again. Many patients gain noticeably in self-confidence. With a stable body weight, the result is usually permanent.

You can read more about causes, diagnosis and treatment in our article Gynaecomastia – when male breasts become a burden.