Tens of thousands of men at risk of needing breast reduction surgery due to steroid use

A surgeon says over 50% of the men he has operated on to reduce breast tissue had been taking performance-enhancing drugs.

A top plastic surgeon has warned that “ten of thousands” of men are putting themselves at risk of getting enlarged breasts and needing surgery due to steroid abuse.

Dr John Skevofilax, chief of surgery for Signature Clinics, has carried out more than 600 gynaecomastia operations since 2020.

Gynaecomastia, sometimes called ‘man boobs’, is a condition involving the overdevelopment or swelling of the breast tissue in men or boys.

Some men may just experience some swelling around their nipples, whereas others may develop more full looking breasts.

Other causes of gynaecomastia, or ‘gyno’, include cannabis and alcohol abuse, obesity, hormone imbalances and puberty.

Dr Skevofilax said more than half of the patients he operated on had been taking image and performance-enhancing drugs (IPEDs) at the time.

According to the UK Anti-Doping Agency (UKAD) there are more than one million, predominantly male, steroid users in the UK.

Dr Skevofilax believes the potentially painful condition could affect many more men if steroids continue to be so widely used.

“Tens of thousands of men are at risk of getting gynaecomastia because they are taking IPEDS.

“Many don’t seek any advice before starting taking them, and the link between these drugs and this condition is well known.

“And while some men are comfortable having breast reduction surgery, there will be many who don’t because they are embarrassed.

“And it’s these people who will suffer in silence from the physical and emotional damage caused by gynaecomastia.”

Former Love Island star Thomas Powell livestreamed his own gynaecomastia operation with Dr John in April to raise awareness of the condition.

And in an interview with New! magazine he admitted he developed the condition because he “injected testosterone”.

Anabolic steroids are class C drugs which should only be given by pharmacists with a prescription.

However, many people misuse these drugs to build muscle mass and decrease fat – but they are addictive.

Taking them can cause a number of psychological and physical side effects. It can also result in a prison sentence if you are convicted of supplying or selling them.