The Telegraph reports that men's breasts are expanding, as is the surgery to reduce gynecomastia -- the man-boobs often related to anabolic steroid use. (see photo of typical case at left)
Drug specialists are also reporting a rise in the number of young men turning
to the illegal use of anabolic steroids to improve their physique.
New figures from the British Association of Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, due to be published on Monday, are reported to show the number of men opting for breast-reduction procedures last year rose by nearly half.
In the space of five years, the figure has increased from 22 operations in 2003 to 224 in 227.
The Government's official advisers on drugs have noted that anabolic steroids are becoming popular among non-traditional drug-users keen to improve their physique, rather than just athletes.
Anabolic steroid use now ranks among the leading drugs treated in substance abuse treatment centers. That means an increase in correcting the gynecomastia caused by the estrogenic effects of the drugs. It also means problems with consequences of the needles used in injectable steroids.
Latest estimates from the British Crime Survey suggest that 179,000 people aged 16-59 have used anabolic steroids but Professor Iverson has previously said the figure might be more than 200,000.
Mike Linnell, of the Lifeline drugs charity in Manchester, said that needle-exchange projects are reporting rising numbers of men injecting steroids for cosmetic reasons.
He said: "What we have seen over the last two years is a growth in people who are not drug-users in the traditional sense. They are coming in because they used anabolic steroids because they wanted to look good. It is all about image, about looking good. This is now right across the board."
Use of anabolic steroids can be for sports advantage, or for simply narcissism, as with the Adonis Complex.
My friend isn't a drug addict, yet he suffers from gynecomastia . It's intolerable for him to feel girls' surprised glances on him. He is going to undergo a surgery. But I think that first he should consider alternative medications and then only undergo a surgery.
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Posted by: Buy Avodart | 07/13/2009 at 22:50
If you get man boobs just from weight problem then surgery is really not necessary there are many effective treatments available, however I guess hormone problems caused by steroid abuse does need different approach. This is just one more reason to stay away from this stuff. Excellent article by the way, love your blog and read it regularly!
Posted by: Gynexin | 09/20/2009 at 15:06