Gynecomastia causes and treatment is something that a lot of men are embarrassed about, but it’s more common than you might think: breast tissue growth. It’s called gynecomastia (guh-nuh-koh-MAS-tee-uh) and it occurs in men of all ages, from newborns to old men. If you recently found out your chest was developing in a way that the rest of your body isn’t quite a little more rounded, don’t worry, you aren’t alone.
Here in this article, we’re going to define what gynecomastia is actually, describe the main reasons why it happens, and briefly touch on how it’s treated most often. We’d like to offer plain, pal-friendly facts that you can refer back to so that you can learn more about this highly-misunderstood condition.
What Exactly is Gynecomastia? It
In brief, gynecomastia is an overgrowth of glandular breast tissue in a man or boy. It isn’t necessarily a larger fat pad in the breasts, that’s pseudogynecomastia or lipomastia. Actual gynecomastia is an overgrowth of actual glandular tissue, and it is firm or rubbery, generally behind the nipple.
This is the type of thing that will happen to some or both breasts and, on some occasions, be asymmetrical, or one breast will be bigger than the other. While it is usually not an issue, sure as heck it can be tender, painful, and emotionally devastating depending on the way it appears.
So, What Causes Gynecomastia? The Hormone Connection
The most common offender of gynecomastia is an endocrine condition between two of the body’s most crucial hormones: estrogen and testosterone.
Imagine it like this: testosterone is the main male hormone, the one responsible for body and muscle characteristics. Estrogen, which exists in men but to a lesser degree, is involved in the development of breast tissue. When there is a disparity and there is too much estrogen or not enough testosterone (or both), breast glandular tissue will begin to develop.
This hormonal imbalance may happen as a consequence of the following causes:
1. Natural Hormonal Fluctuation
At Infants: Surprisingly enough, over half of baby boy newborns have an enlarged breast to some extent! This is because of the buildup of estrogen in the mother when pregnant. Luckily enough, it will usually subside by itself within the duration of a few weeks post-birth.
At Puberty: This is a highly common age for gynecomastia to develop, particularly in the majority of boys during puberty when their bodies are initially undergoing significant hormone changes. In the majority of cases, the condition resolves on its own and fades after six months to two years, even without treatment.
In Older Men: As the men age, around between the age of 50 to 80, of course, the testosterone level would be lower and they gain excess body fat (estrogen convertible). Such a combination can lead to gynecomastia at an advanced age.
2. Medications
There are more medications than one might think that can disrupt the hormonal balance and induce gynecomastia as a side effect. They are:
Certain heart medications: Such as amiodarone, digoxin, or spironolactone.
Certain acid or ulcer medications: Such as metoclopramide or cimetidine.
Anti-androgens: Used for prostate disease or cancer (such as flutamide).
Certain depression and anxiety drugs.
Chemotherapy drugs.
Anabolic androgens and steroids: Abused by body builders to gain muscle mass.
If you believe that the drug that you are taking is inducing gynecomastia, then speak with your physician. He might be able to suggest an alternative.
3. Underlying Medical Conditions
Gynecomastia can be a sign of some underlying medical illness in some cases. These are:
Hypogonadism: Medical conditions that lead to insufficient secretion of testosterone (e.g., Klinefelter syndrome).
Hyperthyroidism: Overactivity of the thyroid.
Kidney failure: Which can interfere with hormone balance.
Liver disease (such as cirrhosis): The liver acts as a filter for the hormones, and if it does not, hormone imbalances occur.
Tumors: Extremely rarely, tumors of the testicles, adrenal glands, or pituitary glands release hormones that cause gynecomastia.
Malnutrition or starvation: Can cause a decrease in testosterone without altering estrogens.
4. Lifestyle Factors and Substances
Alcohol and illicit drugs: Binge drinking, marijuana, heroin, and amphetamines can interfere with hormone levels.
Some herbal preparations: Some like tea tree oil or lavender oil have very weak estrogenic activity and, with long-term use, contribute to it.
If you want to learn more about treatment options for gynecomastia, you can visit the gynecomastia treatment page on Zayn Aesthetic to explore advanced procedures tailored to your needs. For personalized advice or to schedule a consultation, you can reach us directly via WhatsApp by clicking here. Don’t hesitate to contact us — we’re here to help you regain confidence.