Hello. This is Woori Plastic Surgery.
When working out, it is common to see people taking steroids to help muscle growth. However, after taking steroids, some people notice their chest becoming more prominent or feel soft tissue there, and they visit a clinic suspecting a cause of gynecomastia. In fact, depending on the type, steroids may or may not be related to gynecomastia. Today, let’s take a look at whether steroids are associated with the cause of gynecomastia.
Can steroids cause gynecomastia?
Steroids can be broadly divided into corticosteroids and anabolic steroids. Corticosteroids are medications used to treat inflammation, immune disorders, allergies, and more, and they are generally not strongly directly related to the cause of gynecomastia. On the other hand, anabolic steroids, which are taken for muscle growth, are closely related to the cause of gynecomastia.
The reason gynecomastia develops
Anabolic steroids artificially raise the level of male hormones in the body. The problem is that when male hormones become excessively high, some of them are converted into female hormones. As a result, the hormonal balance is disrupted, and glandular tissue may grow excessively, which can become a cause of gynecomastia. It can create the ironic situation where taking male hormones instead increases the effects of female hormones.
Will it go away if you stop taking the medication?
Gynecomastia caused by anabolic steroid use almost never goes away naturally just by stopping the medication. Since the enlarged glandular tissue does not shrink again on its own, surgical treatment is needed in most cases. As the cause of gynecomastia persists over time, the tissue may become firmer, and if skin sagging is also present, the surgery can become more difficult.
When consultation is definitely needed
If you have taken anabolic steroids in the past or are currently taking them and notice a protruding chest or a firm lump, it is important not to dismiss it as a simple body fat issue. In such cases, it is necessary to receive an accurate diagnosis from a plastic surgeon, determine whether it is fat or glandular tissue, and then decide on the treatment direction.
Gynecomastia is by no means something to be ashamed of, and especially when it develops due to external factors such as steroids, it is not something that should be seen as entirely your fault. What matters most is understanding the exact cause of gynecomastia and receiving treatment at the right time. If gynecomastia is suspected after taking steroids, we recommend not worrying alone and instead seeking a consultation with a specialist.
