Gynecomastia - Symptoms, Risk factors and Treatment
Last Updated On Friday, August 12, 2022
Gynecomastia in English
Gynecomastia, or enlarged boobs in men, is a condition that occurs due to abnormal levels of hormones- estrogen and testosterone. It can affect both breasts or one only, occurring in young boys or male adults. Mostly it goes away on its own. But sometimes, it may need surgery for correction. Although it is not a serious condition, but men and boys having it may feel pain in their breasts tissue and may also feel embarrassed.
Signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms of gynecomastia are:
Tender breasts
Swelling of breasts tissues
Causes
Gynecomastia generally occurs when testosterone levels fall below as compared to estrogen. It can happen if a person has a condition or is taking medication that blocks the effect of testosterone. Various things can upset the hormonal levels in your body. It can occur due to reasons like:
Natural hormonal changes
In men, testosterone is responsible for controlling male traits like hair growth and muscle mass. Whereas, estrogen regulates female characteristics like breast enlargement. Therefore if estrogen levels in men are higher than testosterone levels, it results in breast enlargement.
It is often misconstrued that estrogen is an exclusively female hormone. However, this is not the case. Estrogen is present in males but in very minute quantities as compared to females. Therefore their imbalance can occur, resulting in gynecomastia.
At the time of birth
Almost half of the boys are born with swollen breasts due to high levels of their mother's estrogen. By that time it may decline, and the tissues may return to normal in two to three weeks.
During puberty
During puberty, breasts may enlarge due to increased levels of estrogen. It may get better in 6 months to 2 years on its own.
In adulthood
Gynecomastia may occur in male adults aged between 50 to 69. Around 1 in 4 men get affected by it in their adulthood.
Medications
Various medications can cause gynecomastia. They can be enlisted as;
Aldosterone Antagonists
Eplerenone
Spironolactone
Antipsychotics
Typical or First Generation
Chlorpromazine
Fluphenazine
Haloperidol
Perphenazine
Thioridazine
Trifluoperazine
Atypical or Second Generation
Aripiprazole
Asenapine sublingual tablets
Clozapine
Finasteride
Iloperidone
Olanzapine
Paliperidone
Quetiapine
Ziprasidone
Other drugs
Cimetidine
Digoxin
Efavirenz
Estrogen use
Alcohol
Ketoconazole
Methadone
Other Health Conditions
Some health conditions can also cause gynecomastia like;
Hypogonadism
Tumors of the testes, adrenal gland, and pituitary gland
Kidney failure
Hyperthyroidism
Liver failure
Liver cirrhosis
Starvation
Malnutrition
Herbal Products
Using herbal products that contain tea tree oil can also cause enlarged breasts in men. To prevent it, avoid using products that contain it.
Risk Factors
The risk factors for gynecomastia can be;
Older age
Entering into adolescence
Using androgens or anabolic steroids to boost athletic performance
Having health conditions like;
liver and kidney disease
thyroid disease
hormonally active tumors
Klinefelter syndrome
Prevention
To prevent gynecomastia, the following tips may help.
Do not use drugs like amphetamines, anabolic steroids, and androgens for any purpose.
Keep an eye on your medications, especially the ones you are taking for the long term. If you are taking a drug that causes gynecomastia, talk to your healthcare provider for its substitution.
Avoid drinking alcohol. If you drink, do that in moderation.
Conclusion
Gynecomastia is a condition in which the breasts of men get enlarged. It is not a serious condition but it may cause emotional disturbance as the self-confidence of the person is affected. If it occurs due to hormonal imbalance, your healthcare provider may prescribe hormone therapy to correct it.