What is Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia)?
There is an increase in the amount of breast tissue in boys or men due to an imbalance of hormones - estrogen and testosterone. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly.
Pseudogynecomastia refers to an increase in body fat but not breast tissue in males.
Boys going through puberty and men in general may develop gynecomastia as a result of changing hormone levels. This is a normal process that can occur for a number of reasons.
Gynecomastia is not a very serious problem, but it can be difficult to cope with. Men and boys who have gynecomastia may experience pain in their breasts and may feel embarrassed.
If gynecomastia persists, medication or surgery may help.
Explanation of medical terms and concepts Enlarged breasts in men
Gynecomastia could be a common condition which ends in enlarged male breast tissue. It will be seen in males of all ages, however typically happens throughout the newborn amount, time of life and older adulthood. There are several causes for abnormality, most typically associate degree imbalance of the hormones androgen and steroid hormones.
Gynecomastia will be seen as a button-sized growth beneath the pap. you will be able to see this as a breast lump or feel it once you prolong the world. The lump could move simply among the breast tissue and will be tender to the touch. Breast lumps and breast enlargement could occur in one or each breasts.
Gynecomastia is the commonest male breast disorder. It affects between fifty to sixty fifths of boys and men worldwide.
Gynecomastia is the abnormal enlargement of breast tissue in men It occurs more frequently during puberty and can also occur in boys who are receiving certain hormonal treatments for other medical problems such as delayed puberty In some cases gynecomastia may be caused by a serious underlying condition such as liver disease or kidney failure.
Enlarged breasts in men (gynecomastia) is the swelling of male breast tissue Men who have been taking drugs like anabolic steroids or medications to treat high blood pressure are more likely to experience gynecomastia It also occasionally occurs during puberty due to hormonal changes and it's common among boys between ages 10 and 18 years old It can also happen later in life as a result of stress weight gain or aging Surgery is often unsuccessful at removing enough tissue to achieve results that look masculine and natural at the same time.
Symptoms Enlarged breasts in men
Most adult men with gynecomastia do not experience any symptoms. Signs and symptoms of the condition may include: -Chronic chest pain -Excessive breast tissue
Pain, particularly in adolescents
Swollen breast tissue
Breast tenderness
If you have nipple sensitivity, you may feel it when you rub against your clothes.
When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have:
Swelling
Pain or tenderness
Nipple discharge in one or both breasts
Causes Enlarged breasts in men
Low levels of testosterone can cause gynecomastia. This occurs when the level of testosterone is reduced compared to the amount of estrogen in your body. Conditions that block the effects of testosterone or increase your estrogen level can cause this problem.
There are several things that can upset the hormone balance, including the following.
Natural hormone changes
Hormones such as testosterone and estrogen control sex characteristics in both men and women. Testosterone controls male traits such as muscle mass and body hair. Estrogen controls female traits including the growth of breasts.
Most people think of estrogen as a hormone that only women produce, but men also produce it. When levels of male estrogen are too high or out of balance with testosterone levels, this can lead to gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia in infants.Most male infants are born with swollen breasts due to their mother's estrogen. The swelling usually goes away after two to three weeks.
Gynecomastia during puberty.Puberty can cause gynecomastia. In most cases, the swollen breast tissue will go away on its own within six months to two years.
Gynecomastia in adults.A lot of men in their 50s to 80s have prostate cancer. However, most of these men don't experience any symptoms.
Medications
Some medications can cause male breast enlargement. These include:
Anti-androgens are medicines used to treat conditions such as prostate cancer and enlarged prostate. Some examples include flutamide (Proscar) and finasteride (Propecia) and spironolactone (Aldactone).
Hormone deficiencies can be treated with anabolic steroids and androgens. This will delay puberty or cause muscle loss from another disease.
HIV medications can cause male breast enlargement with the estrogen-like properties of some of them, such as Efavirenz (Sustiva).
Amphetamines such as Adderall are found in ADHD medications.
Anxiety medications such as diazepam (Valium) help to reduce anxiety.
Tricyclic antidepressants.
Antibiotics.
Ulcers can be treated with over-the-counter medications such as Tagamet HB.
Chemotherapy to treat cancer.
Some heart medications, such as digoxin (Lanoxin) and calcium channel blockers, are taken to treat the heart.
Medicines that make you feel sick, such as metoclopramide (Reglan).
These substances are all classified as "recreational drugs" - that is, they are not supposed to be used for fun but only for pleasure or relaxation. Illicit drugs and alcohol are also considered recreational drugs, but they are meant to be used for fun or pleasure instead of relaxation.
Some substances that can cause gynecomastia include:
Alcohol
Anabolic steroids are used to build muscle and improve athletic performance.
Amphetamines
Marijuana
Heroin
Methadone (Methadose)
Health conditions
Several health conditions can cause male breast enlargement by affecting the balance of hormones. These include:
Hypogonadism.If you have Klinefelter syndrome or a deficiency in the pituitary gland, you may develop gynecomastia (breast enlargement).
Aging.Aging can cause hormonal changes that can lead to gynecomastia, especially in overweight men.
Tumors.Tumors can produce hormones that disrupt the hormone balance in males or females.
Hyperthyroidism.When this condition occurs, the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine.
Kidney failure.A lot of people who are treated with dialysis develop gynecomastia because of hormonal changes.
Liver failure and cirrhosis.Changes in hormone levels that are related to liver problems and medications for cirrhosis can cause Gynecomastia.
Malnutrition and starvation.When your body doesn't have the right amount of nutrition, testosterone levels decrease while estrogen levels stay the same, causing an imbalance in hormones. This can lead to gynecomastia (enlargement of the male breasts), when normal nutrition resumes.
Herbal products
Some oils used in shampoos, such as tea tree or lavender, have been linked to male breast growth. This is probably because they have a weak estrogenic activity.
Risk factors Enlarged breasts in men
Risk factors for gynecomastia include:
Adolescence
Older age
Anabolic steroids are used to improve athletic performance.
Some health conditions, including liver and kidney disease, thyroid disease, hormonally active tumors, and Klinefelter syndrome can occur.
Complications
Gynecomastia can have few physical effects, but it can cause psychological or emotional problems if someone perceives their appearance as being abnormal.
Prevention
There are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of developing gynecomastia:
Don't use drugs.Some drugs include anabolic steroids, amphetamines, heroin, and marijuana.
Avoid alcohol.Do not drink alcohol. If you do drink, drink in moderation.
Diagnosis Enlarged breasts in men
A gynecologist will study your symptoms and examine your breasts, stomach, and genitals in order to diagnose gynecomastia.
Tests
Your doctor will likely order tests to determine the cause of gynecomastia in order to screen for breast cancer and to rule out other conditions. These tests may include:
Blood tests
Mammograms
Computerized tomography (CT) scans
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans
Testicular ultrasounds
Tissue biopsies
Conditions that cause similar symptoms
Your doctor will want to be sure that your breast swelling is due to gynecomastia and not another condition. Other conditions that can cause similar symptoms include: -Pregnancy -Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck or armpit -A tumor
Fatty breast tissueSome men and boys develop breast fat that looks like male breasts. This is not the same as male breast growth, and no further evaluation is necessary.
Breast cancer.Breast cancer is not very common in men, but if it does occur, it may be accompanied by enlargement of one breast or the presence of a firm nodule. If you have any concerns about your health, speak with your doctor.
A breast abscess.This is an infection of the breast.
Treatment Enlarged breasts in men
Most cases of gynecomastia go away without treatment. However, if gynecomastia is caused by an underlying condition, such as hypogonadism, malnutrition, or cirrhosis, that underlying condition may need treatment.
If you are taking medications that may cause gynecomastia (breast enlargement), your doctor may recommend either stopping the medications or substituting another medication.
If a doctor can't find a reason for a boy's enlarged breasts other than normal hormonal changes during puberty, the boy might need to be reevaluated every few months to see if the condition improves. Gynecomastia in boys often goes away without treatment within two months. This passage is about how long it takes for something to happen.
If gynecomastia does not improve on its own or if it causes significant pain, tenderness, or embarrassment, treatment may be necessary.
Medications
Some medications used to treat breast cancer and other conditions may help some men with gynecomastia. They include:
Tamoxifen (Soltamos)
Aromatase inhibitors such as Arimidex stop the production of estrogen in the body.
These medications have not been approved specifically for use in people with gynecomastia.
Surgery to remove excess breast tissue
If your breasts are significantly enlarged and bother you, even after initial treatment or observation from your doctor, surgery may be advised.
Two gynecomastia surgery options are:
Liposuction.This surgery removes fatty tissue from the breasts but does not remove the glandular tissue itself.
Mastectomy.This type of surgery removes breast gland tissue. The surgery is often done using only small cuts. This less invasive approach requires less time for recovery.
Coping and support
For boys with enlarged breasts, it can be stressful and embarrassing. Gynecomastia (male breast enlargement) can be difficult to hide and can be a challenge to romantic relationships. During puberty, gynecomastia can make boys a target for teasing from their peers. It can make activities like swimming or changing in the locker room uncomfortable.
Even if you are not a teenager, you may feel like your body has let you down and that you are unhappy with yourself. These feelings are normal, and to help cope you can:
Get counseling.Talk therapy can help you overcome anxiety and depression caused by male breast enlargement. It can also help you communicate with your partner or family members so that they understand what you're going through.
Reach out to your family and friends.You may feel embarrassed to talk about your gynecomastia with the people you care about. But by talking about it and asking for their support, you are likely to strengthen your relationships and reduce stress.
Connect with others who have breast enlargement.Talking with other people who have had the same experience can help you cope. Websites such as Gynecomastia.org provide a forum in which to connect with others who have the condition.
General summary
Men's breast enlargement medically referred to as Gynecomastia can be caused by a number of things It may appear in one or both breasts and in varying degrees of severity Often Gynecomastia is a result of hormonal imbalances such as increased estrogen levels or lack thereof Weight gain is another cause and it often accompanies the condition when it occurs during puberty when boys are transitioning into adolescence
does male gynecomastia go away
? If you're concerned about gynecomastia don't wait years to seek out a correction. Instead your best bet is to talk with your doctor about whether liposuction is the right procedure for you and if so what are the benefits of having it performed at an early age? Additionally it's important to follow other precautionary measures against future breast enlargement If you're using any medication that contains estrogens—including birth control pills—you should speak with your doctor about switching treatment or eliminating them altogether If you plan on stopping steroids or hormonal therapy in the near future and have been advised by a
Can a man get rid of gynecomastia?
“Gynecomastia — the medical term for male breast enlargement — is a condition that can be caused by steroid use hormone imbalances and genetics It's also possible that gynecomastia is temporary if caused by drug use or an imbalance but it may become permanent if caused by genetics In any case it can be embarrassing uncomfortable and difficult to hide Fortunately there are several treatments available to help men get rid of gynecomastia.”
Some men will get breast enlargement as a part of their transition to become more feminine This does not always mean that they are switching from female to male However for the purposes of this article I will assume you have made the decision to physically change your sex and make yourself into a man If this is the case there are many things which you should know about getting breast enlargement surgery
How can I get rid of gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia happens when men's breasts are enlarged It can be a temporary or permanent condition and it's usually caused by hormonal changes in the body The main causes of gynecomastia include: Taking certain drugs like marijuana nicotine and opiates (like morphine) Having an endocrine disease such as Klinefelter syndrome thyroid disorder and other diseases that affect hormone levels
Can you fix gynecomastia naturally?
A: Yes through exercise and diet changes it is possible to rid yourself of man boobs Gynecomastia (breast enlargement) can be caused by fat deposits in the chest area and by increased levels of estrogen Although there are many causes for gynecomastia it is fairly common in newborns teenage boys and older men
At what age does gynecomastia go away?
Gynecomastia or "man boobs," is a condition that causes men to develop breasts This is typically caused by an imbalance of estrogen and testosterone in the body In most cases gynecomastia goes away on its own without anyone having to do anything The typical age range is between 10 and 14 years old though it can happen at any time during puberty or even after puberty ends It's rare for adult men (over the age of 18) to have gynecomastia If a man has breast tissue that doesn't go away on its own after two years or more there may be