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Gender-Based Differences in Mental Health Outcomes Following Breast Surgery: Insights from Epic Cosmos
Shelley R Edwards1,2, Ashlie A Elver3, Keely B Frederick4
1From the School of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson.
Southern Medical Journal
|January 9, 2026
Summary
Breast surgery impacts mental health differently across genders. While females saw improved outcomes, males undergoing surgery experienced higher rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm, indicating a need for gender-specific care.
Area of Science:
- Plastic surgery
- Psychiatry
- Health disparities
Background:
- Breast conditions can cause significant psychosocial distress.
- Gender influences the experience of body image and mental health.
- Breast surgery is a common intervention for physical breast conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between breast surgery, mental health outcomes, and gender.
- To compare rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality in male and female patients undergoing breast surgery versus those who did not.
- To identify potential gender-specific differences in the mental health impact of breast surgery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of deidentified electronic health records (2010-2020).
- Inclusion of patients with non-oncologic breast conditions (gynecomastia, hypertrophy, asymmetry).
- Comparison of mental health diagnoses (anxiety, depression, suicidality) between surgical and non-surgical cohorts, stratified by gender.
Main Results:
- 13.15% of 232,138 patients with breast diagnoses underwent surgery.
- Female surgical patients had significantly lower rates of mental health diagnoses compared to non-surgical females.
- Male surgical patients showed higher rates of anxiety, depression, and self-harm compared to non-surgical males.
Conclusions:
- Breast surgery outcomes regarding mental health differ significantly between genders.
- A concerning trend of increased mental health conditions, particularly preoperatively, was observed in males post-surgery.
- Enhanced, gender-specific counseling is recommended to mitigate mental health risks associated with breast surgery, especially in males.
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