Gynecomastia
Alternative Names
Gynecomastia, Breast development in a maleWhat is Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is an enlarged male breast. The glandular tissue of the breast swells, usually in response to an excess of the female hormone estrogen or a lack of testosterone, a male hormone. It affects babies, teen boys and older men.
Signs and symptoms
The main signs and symptoms of gynecomastia are wollen breast gland tissue and breast tenderness
Possible complications
The possible complications that can be caused by this disease include psychological or emotional problems.
What causes
Every man has androgens and estrogens. Androgens are hormones that create male characteristics such as hair growth, muscle size and a deep voice. Estrogens are hormones that create female characteristics. Unbalance or any changes in the levels of these hormones can be resulted in enlarged breasts in men
Other possible causes may include:
- Aging
- Cancer chemotherapy
- Chronic liver disease
- Exposure to anabolic steroid hormones
- Exposure to estrogen hormone
- Kidney failure and dialysis
- Lack (deficiency) of testosterone (male hormone)
- Marijuana use
- Hormone treatment for prostate cancer
- Radiation treatment of the testicles
- Side effects of some medications (ketoconazole, spironolactone, metronidazole, cimetidine (Tagamet))
- Genetic defects
- Overactive thyroid
- Tumors
Prevention
You can protect yourself from developing gynecomastia by taking the following steps:
- You should not use illegal drugs such as steroids and androgens, amphetamines, heroin and marijuana.
- Alcohol consumption is not recommended.
- If you are taking medication that can cause gynecomastia, you should ask your doctor if there are other choices.
Treatment
It is not obligatory to treat Gynecomastia in babies and teens, because it disappears on its own. If the disease are caused by any medicine or other disease, you should stop using the medicine or treating the disease. If the cause of Gynecomastia is a lack of testosterone and increase in estrogen, your doctor may prescribe you hormonal treatment.
