What is gynecomastia and how is it treated

What is gynecomastia and how does it manifest

Gynecomastia Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia) is a unilateral or bilateral enlargement of the mammary glands in men. In this case, the chest hurts or becomes sensitive to touch.

Normally, men have a thin layer of fiber under the skin of the chest. But with gynecomastia, glandular tissue grows there. Therefore, the mammary gland becomes larger, and sometimes resembles a woman's in shape.

See what gynecomastia looks like Close

Accumulation of adipose tissue is not considered Breast enlargement in males as gynecomastia.

Why does gynecomastia develop?

Most often, gynecomastia occurs with Enlarged Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia) due to an increase in the level of sex steroid hormones estrogen and a decrease in testosterone. This can happen for various Gynecomastia reasons.

Due to natural hormonal changes

Gynecomastia can even appear in newborn Enlarged Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia) boys due to the presence of maternal estrogens in their blood. About half of male babies are born with enlarged breasts, but this condition goes away on its own after 2-3 weeks.

Adolescent Gynecomastia adolescents 12–14 years old often have Enlarged Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia) gynecomastia due to hormonal changes caused by puberty. But this condition is not dangerous, the mammary glands return to normal in the period from six months to 2 years.

Also, aging of the Enlarged Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia) of the body is considered a natural factor in the development of gynecomastia. Approximately every fourth male Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia) 50–69 years old has enlarged mammary glands.

Due to disease

The balance of estrogen and testosterone can change some diseases. Here they are Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia):

Hypogonadism. This is a condition in which the function of the genital glands is reduced. For example, it is observed with Klinefelter's syndrome or pituitary insufficiency.
Tumors. They can produce estrogens that promote breast growth. This is observed with neoplasms of the testicles, adrenal glands or pituitary gland.
Hyperthyroidism With it, the release of thyroid hormones increases, which ultimately leads to an imbalance in sex steroids.
Renal failure If a man is on hemodialysis, when blood is artificially filtered through a special apparatus, he also undergoes hormonal changes.
Hepatic failure and cirrhosis. With these pathologies, the neutralization of hormones in the liver is impaired, so they circulate in the blood longer and can cause gynecomastia.
Starvation and malnutrition. When the body does not receive the necessary nutrients, testosterone synthesis is disrupted, and the level of estrogen remains the same. Due to this imbalance, gynecomastia can develop.

Due to drugs and other substances

Gynecomastia can occur due to the side effects of certain medications. Moreover, the mammary glands usually return to normal if you stop taking these drugs. Doctors have noticed a connection with the following drugs:

Antiretroviral Gynecomastia and drugs: a critical evaluation of the literature. These are medicines used to treat HIV.
Antiandrogens Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia). These drugs are prescribed to block testosterone synthesis in prostate cancer and several other diseases.
Anabolic steroid. They are used by some athletes to increase muscle mass and strength.
Antibiotics The side effect of gynecomastia can occur if taken for a long time.
Antifungal Breast enlargement in males means.
Heart medications used to lower blood pressure.
Tricyclic Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia) antidepressants.
Proton pump blockers. They are used to treat stomach ulcers.

Also, gynecomastia can develop in men who abuse Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia) alcohol or are addicted to marijuana, opiate drugs.

Due to herbal remedies

The effect of some plants Patient education: Gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men) resembles the effect of estrogen. Therefore, gynecomastia can appear if you regularly use cosmetic or medicinal products based on tea tree oil and lavender.

What should a man do if his breasts are enlarged?

If symptoms of gynecomastia appear, you will most likely not need a doctor's help. In newborns, breasts return to normal after a few weeks. If a teenager has a problem, you need to wait 2 years: 75–90% of boys go through Management of Adolescent Gynecomastia: An Update on their own. If gynecomastia persists for longer than this period, as well as with pain in the mammary glands in older men, consultation with a mammologist is needed. If he suspects hormonal disorders, he will send for examination to an endocrinologist.

Usually, gynecomastia is not dangerous Breast enlargement in males, but in rare cases, breast enlargement occurs due to a cancerous Enlarged Male Breast Tissue (Gynecomastia) tumor. To exclude this option and find the cause of the pathology, the mammologist will prescribe a Breast enlargement in males examination:

a blood test for hormones;
Breast ultrasound;
study of the functions of the kidneys and liver;
mammogram - X-ray of the breast;
Ultrasound of the testicles.

How is gynecomastia treated?

The method of therapy will depend on the cause of the pathology. Usually, there is no need to treat anything, especially with gynecomastia caused by a natural change in hormone levels. But with severe breast tenderness in a teenager, a mammologist or endocrinologist may be careful to prescribe drugs that block the effect of estrogens.

If gynecomastia is associated with Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia) drugs, you should consult your doctor to change or stop the drug.

When the cause of gynecomastia is a disease of other organs, you need to consult with a therapist or other specialized specialist to eliminate the main factor.

In other cases, surgery is performed Patient education: Gynecomastia (breast enlargement in men) to remove excess glandular tissue. Sometimes liposuction is also done on the breast to get it back to its normal shape.

How to prevent gynecomastia

For the prevention of gynecomastia, doctors recommend Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia):

Do not abuse alcohol.
Consult a physician before taking any medication. And if drugs can cause gynecomastia, clarify how they can be replaced.
Avoid drugs.