Doping has existed since ancient times, but effective doping substances only emerged with modern pharmacology — and they are not used solely by elite athletes. According to a 2014 study, 6.4% of men and 1.6% of women have taken such substances at least once. Most, aimed at increasing muscle strength and performance, are anabolic androgenic steroids — substances with effects similar to testosterone.
Anabolic steroids and breast enlargement in men
These substances are usually obtained from a known doctor or pharmacy, though online sales have grown in recent years — sometimes hidden in food supplements and delivered to your door. Because they are not developed as licensed drugs, their ingredients, effectiveness and side effects are often unknown. Some anabolic steroids convert to testosterone, while others can convert to both testosterone and estrogen.
This can cause two-sided side effects: under testosterone, the testicles shrink, sperm count falls, acne appears and hair thins; under estrogen, erectile problems and breast enlargement (gynecomastia) occur. Most of these resolve on their own after stopping the substances — but the breast tissue that develops can lead to permanent gynecomastia.
How common is gynecomastia?
Breast enlargement in men is not rare. During puberty, temporary enlargement is seen in about 25% of boys, and in all but roughly 10% of cases it resolves on its own. Obesity can also cause gynecomastia, since excess fat is a source of estrogen. Whatever the cause, gynecomastia creates significant psychosocial pressure: studies show about 65% of affected men score lower on body perception, erection, orgasm and relationship satisfaction.
Correcting gynecomastia
Correction requires a surgical procedure under general anaesthesia. An ultrasound helps determine how much of the enlargement is fat and how much is glandular tissue. If the glandular tissue is minimal, liposuction alone is sufficient. But even 1–2 cm of glandular tissue cannot be removed with liposuction — it is too firm for VASER or laser to melt — so it is removed through a small incision under the nipple, with surrounding excess fat addressed by liposuction.
The two most common problems in gynecomastia surgery are breasts that still look too large because tissue under the nipple was not fully removed, and the opposite — over-emptying under the nipple so the area adheres to the chest muscle and looks concave. In very large, sagging breasts, excess skin is a further challenge; laser liposuction can tighten skin to a degree, but severe sagging may require skin excision and visible scars.
A safer route to definition
If you want a six-pack without excessive effort, high-definition VASER liposuction is a far better choice than taking anabolic steroids.
