A new research conducted by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) says that teenage boys with gynecomastia, a disorder that causes breast enlargement, suffer from low self-esteem and emotional and mental health problems.
Forty seven boys with an average age of 16, who were being treated for the condition were observed for the study. The researchers conducted psychological tests on the participants. Similar tests were carried on a control group without the condition.
Among those with the disorder, 62 percent had mild to moderate enlarged breasts and 64 percent suffered from obesity, compared with 41 percent of the boys in the control group.
Boys who suffered from gynecomastia showed lower scores in general health, social functioning, mental health and self-esteem. Similar results were found in the boys with moderate disorder.
Study author Dr Brian Labow and other researchers at Boston Children's Hospital said that gynecomastia should be treated as early as possible. Also breast reduction surgery is a good option, in few cases, suggests Dr Labow.
"Merely having gynecomastia was sufficient to cause significant deficits in general health, social functioning, mental health, self-esteem, and eating behaviors and attitudes compared with controls," the researchers said in a press release.
They further pointed that only 35 percent of young boys undergoing surgery for gynecomastia at their hospital were covered by insurance, compared to 85 percent of girls undergoing breast reduction.
To assess the physical and mental health effects post-breast reduction surgery, additional research is needed to be done, the researchers informed.
The problem of enlargement of breast in teenage boys is not uncommon, the researchers said. However, almost 8 percent of adolescents are affected with the condition.
The study was published in the April issue of the journal Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
