Gynecomastia - What Is It, Symptoms and Treatment
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is a condition that is characterized by the enlargement of mammary glands in males, which results into breast enlargement. It should be differentiated from pseudogynecomastia which is a condition that occurs when fat is deposited around breast region in obese men. The condition is very rare and when it occurs in adolescent boys, it can be due to distress. In puberty, gynecomastia occurs as a result of obesity but it eventually disappears as the boy gets older.
What causes gynecomastia?
The main cause of male breast enlargement is hormonal imbalance where the female hormones (estrogen) occur at higher levels than the male hormones (androgen). In normal human beings, both the estrogen and the androgen are present but their levels differ in both men and women. In male for example, androgen are at a higher level than estrogen, but at puberty, the level of estrogen may rise to surpass that of androgen. This condition occurs temporarily. Gynecomastia that occurs as a result of hormonal changes lasts for six months to one year after which it disappears. Persistent pubertal gynecomastia refers to condition that develops in puberty and persists for more than two years.
Apart from hormonal imbalance, other causes of gynecomastia include:-
- Malnutrition, which produces effects similar to those of hormonal changes
- Liver cirrhosis, due to altering of normal hormonal metabolism
- Defects on the testes, which can cause a deficiency of testosterone. This may include genetic factors such testicular cancer
- Conditions which have the ability to alter hormonal balance in the system such as hyperthyroidism and chronic renal failure.
- Aging
- Tumors affecting testes, adrenal glands or pituitary gland.
A number of medications have been suspected to cause gynecomastia by producing side effects that influence the occurrence of breast enlargement. Drugs that have been identified include calcium channel blockers, isoniazid, anti-ulcers, alcohol, heroin and several other drugs. Cases of gynecomastia that are caused by drugs used in the treatment of heart related complications are approximately 4-10%. Percentage of patients receiving the treatment and later suffer from breast enlargement is 10%. Hypertrophy of breast tissues, chest adipose tissue and skin has also produced symptoms related to gynecomastia, condition referred as pseudogynecomastia.
Symptoms of gynecomastia
The main symptom that characterizes gynecomastia is the enlargement of the male breasts. This condition is present when the glandular tissues are found to be enlarged. The male breast appears symmetrical in location of the nipple and when it is examined through touching, a rubbery or firm feeling is felt. Both breasts are affected although in some instances it can occur only on one breast. One breast may appear larger than the other. No pain is experienced but sensitivity might be present in some men. Most cases of gynecomastia are diagnosed through a physical examination. Presence of breast tissue greater than 0.5 cm in diameter is considered to be as a result of gynecomastia.
Treatment for gynecomastia
Cases of physiologic gynecomastia don't require any form of treatment since they are able to resolve on their own within several weeks to several years. Widely available treatments for male breast enlargement are aimed at clearing the underlying primary disorder in order to alleviate breast enlargement. Medications that are available are more effective in the treatment of this condition in its early stages. After a period of one year, breast tissues may get scarred making the use of drugs ineffective. In that case, surgical removal of the scar tissue is the only option.
Gynecomastia in most cases is not a serious condition but it can be an indication of a more serious, underlying condition. This therefore makes it important to seek medical attention when gynecomastia is suspected in order to determine the root cause.
Gynecomastia is a condition that is characterized by the enlargement of mammary glands in males, which results into breast enlargement. It should be differentiated from pseudogynecomastia which is a condition that occurs when fat is deposited around breast region in obese men. The condition is very rare and when it occurs in adolescent boys, it can be due to distress. In puberty, gynecomastia occurs as a result of obesity but it eventually disappears as the boy gets older.
What causes gynecomastia?
The main cause of male breast enlargement is hormonal imbalance where the female hormones (estrogen) occur at higher levels than the male hormones (androgen). In normal human beings, both the estrogen and the androgen are present but their levels differ in both men and women. In male for example, androgen are at a higher level than estrogen, but at puberty, the level of estrogen may rise to surpass that of androgen. This condition occurs temporarily. Gynecomastia that occurs as a result of hormonal changes lasts for six months to one year after which it disappears. Persistent pubertal gynecomastia refers to condition that develops in puberty and persists for more than two years.
Apart from hormonal imbalance, other causes of gynecomastia include:-
- Malnutrition, which produces effects similar to those of hormonal changes
- Liver cirrhosis, due to altering of normal hormonal metabolism
- Defects on the testes, which can cause a deficiency of testosterone. This may include genetic factors such testicular cancer
- Conditions which have the ability to alter hormonal balance in the system such as hyperthyroidism and chronic renal failure.
- Aging
- Tumors affecting testes, adrenal glands or pituitary gland.
A number of medications have been suspected to cause gynecomastia by producing side effects that influence the occurrence of breast enlargement. Drugs that have been identified include calcium channel blockers, isoniazid, anti-ulcers, alcohol, heroin and several other drugs. Cases of gynecomastia that are caused by drugs used in the treatment of heart related complications are approximately 4-10%. Percentage of patients receiving the treatment and later suffer from breast enlargement is 10%. Hypertrophy of breast tissues, chest adipose tissue and skin has also produced symptoms related to gynecomastia, condition referred as pseudogynecomastia.
Symptoms of gynecomastia
The main symptom that characterizes gynecomastia is the enlargement of the male breasts. This condition is present when the glandular tissues are found to be enlarged. The male breast appears symmetrical in location of the nipple and when it is examined through touching, a rubbery or firm feeling is felt. Both breasts are affected although in some instances it can occur only on one breast. One breast may appear larger than the other. No pain is experienced but sensitivity might be present in some men. Most cases of gynecomastia are diagnosed through a physical examination. Presence of breast tissue greater than 0.5 cm in diameter is considered to be as a result of gynecomastia.
Treatment for gynecomastia
Cases of physiologic gynecomastia don't require any form of treatment since they are able to resolve on their own within several weeks to several years. Widely available treatments for male breast enlargement are aimed at clearing the underlying primary disorder in order to alleviate breast enlargement. Medications that are available are more effective in the treatment of this condition in its early stages. After a period of one year, breast tissues may get scarred making the use of drugs ineffective. In that case, surgical removal of the scar tissue is the only option.
Gynecomastia in most cases is not a serious condition but it can be an indication of a more serious, underlying condition. This therefore makes it important to seek medical attention when gynecomastia is suspected in order to determine the root cause.
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