Gynecomastia: What You Should Know.

What Is Enlarged Male Breast Tissue Or  Gynecomastia Philippines?

Gynecomastia is an enlargement or swelling of the breast tissue in males (boys and men) which is normally caused by an in balance of testosterone levels (hormones estrogen and testosterone). It is not unusual that this enlargement occurs on  only one or both male breast.  Sometimes this swelling can cause some gynecomastia pain on one (gynecomastia one side) or gynecomastia pain both breasts which will need to be diagnosed and treated. 

This swelling of the breast tissue or gynecomastia occurs  as early with newborns, boys going through puberty and adult men naturally as a result in changes of normal hormone levels but other causes may also exist which will be examined later.  

Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts and usually can go away and disappear over time. Sometimes gynecomastia pain (gynecomastia one side) may occur  If it persists, medication for the root cause of gynecomastia or ultimately surgery.

On all counts, gynecomastia isn’t a serious medical problem but the emotional issues can be heightened and can be tough to cope with – the major form of embarrassment.

Often times gynecomastia pain occurs in Men and gynecomastia in young males causing gynecomastia one side pain r both in their breast and may feel embarrassed.

Is gynecomastia permanent? Gynecomastia may go away on its own – gynecomastia permanent its not. If it persists, medication or surgery may help.

What Are The Signs And Of Gynecomastia:

There are noticeable symptoms of gynecomastia in males. These include: male breast lump gynecomastia, swollen breast gland tissue, breast tenderness, swelling of the breasts, noticeable pain on one or both breasts and Nipple discharge in one or both breasts.

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    What Causes Gynecomastia In Adult Men

    For most men, between the ages of 50 and 69, the prevalence of male gynecomastia peaks where 1 in 4 men are affected in the age group.

    Symptoms of gynecomastia in males or male gynecomastia is most commonly caused by an imbalance between the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Estrogen of course controls female traits or hormones , including breast growth. Testosterone on the other hand, controls male traits, such as muscle mass and body hair. 

    The imbalance occurs when estrogen levels in male are higher than the testosterone level being produced and thus causing estrogen levels to be higher than normal causing gynecomastia. 

    Although each of these hormones produces the usual traits seen in males and females, males produce a small amount of estrogen and females produce a small amount of testosterone. Male estrogen levels that are too high or are out of balance with testosterone levels cause gynecomastia.

    Gynecomastia Causes Of Hormonal In Balance?

    There are several factors or changes that can change the hormonal balance causing Gynecomastia.  These include: 

    Natural hormone changes in the body:  As indicated earlier hormonal imbalance between the hormones testosterone and estrogen control the development and maintenance of 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.

    The fact is, and most people don’t understand this, is that men produce, although in small quantities the estrogen that controls female traits.  Male estrogen levels that are too high or are out of balance with testosterone levels can cause gynecomastia.

    Gynecomastia in infants.  Ever wonder why male infants are born with enlarged breasts?  This is due primarily due to their mother’s estrogen during pregnancy.  Infants are affected by estrogen they received while developing in the womb. The enlarged breasts tissue normally goes away within two to three weeks after birth.

    Gynecomastia during puberty. Gynecomastia in young males caused by hormone changes during puberty is relatively common during this stage of the male development usually between 12 to 14 years of age.   In most cases gynecomastia in young males, the swollen breast tissue will go away without treatment within six months to two years.

    A Look At Drugs Causing Gynecomatia?

    A number of medications can cause gynecomastia. These include:

    1. Use of anabolic gynecomastia steroids or androgens to enhance athletic performance.  Gynecomastia steroids and correlated to 
    2. Certain health conditions, including liver and kidney disease, thyroid disease, hormonally active tumors, and Klinefelter’s syndrome
    3. Anti-androgens used to treat prostate enlargement, prostate cancer and some other conditions. Examples include flutamide, finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) and spironolactone (Aldactone).
    4. Channel blockers and Spironolactone (Aldactone®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), amiodarone (Cordarone®)
    5. AIDS medications. Gynecomastia can develop in HIV-positive men who are receiving a treatment regimen called highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Efavirenz (Sustiva) is more commonly associated with gynecomastia than are other HIV medications.
    6. Antidepressant medication such as Tricyclic antidepressants Antibiotics.
    1. Heartburn medications such as Cimetidine (Tagamet®) and proton pump inhibitors for heartburn
    2. Anxiety medication such as Diazepam (Valium®) for anxiety
    3. Medicine for Fungal infections such asKetoconazole (Nizoral®) 
    4. Medicine for bacterial infections such as Metronidazole (Flagyl®) 
    5. Medicine for fertility problems such as Human chorionic gonadotropin 
    6. Ulcer medications, such as cimetidine (Tagamet HB).
    7. Cancer treatment (chemotherapy).
    8. Heart medications, such as digoxin (Lanoxin) and calcium channel blockers.
    9. Gastric motility medications, such as metoclopramide (Reglan).
    10. Spironolactone (Aldactone®), digoxin (Lanoxin®), amiodarone (Cordarone®), and calcium channel blockers

    Other Drugs Causing Gynecomastia.

    Certain street drugs, substance abuse can also cause gynecomastia, including:  marijuana, heroin, methadone (“street” drugs) and alcohol.  Specially drugs causing gynecomastia.

    What Health Conditions Cause Gynecomastia?

    Other than adolescence and age (older men), there are other conditions than can cause gynecomastia.  These include: 

    1. Hypogonadism. Klinefelter’s syndrome or pituitary insufficiency, can be associated with gynecomastia as they interfere with normal testosterone production.
    2. Hormone changes that occur with normal aging can cause gynecomastia, especially in men who are overweight.
    3. Some tumors, specifically those involving the testes, adrenal glands or pituitary gland, can produce hormonal imbalance that can cause gynecomastia. 
    4. Hyperthyroidis where the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine can cause gynecomastia.
    5. Kidney failure or patients being treated with regular hemodialysis experience gynecomastia due to hormonal changes.
    6. Gynecomastia in cirrhosis. Hormonal fluctuations related to liver problems as well as medications taken for cirrhosis are associated with gynecomastia. There is a correlation between gynecomastia in cirrhosis .
    7. Malnutrition and starvation. When your body is deprived of adequate nutrition, testosterone levels drop, but estrogen levels remain constant, causing a hormonal imbalance. Gynecomastia can also occur once normal nutrition resumes.
    8. Herbal products, plant oils, such as tea tree or lavender, used in shampoos, soaps or lotions have been associated with gynecomastia. This is probably due to their weak estrogenic activity.

    What Are Complications Caused By Gynecomastia?

    Gynecomastia has few physical complications and certainly no limitations.  The greater complications are the psychological or emotional problems caused by appearance especially among teens going through puberty.

    Can You Prevent Gynecomastia?

    There are very very few factors you can control that may reduce the risk of gynecomastia.  These include:

    1. The use of illegal drugs is a factor in getting gynecomastia. Examples include steroids and androgens, heroin, and marijuana.
    2. Minimize your alcohol intake or avoid alcohol altogether.
    3. Review your medications. If you’re taking medication known to cause gynecomastia, ask your doctor if there are other choices.

    If You Have Gynecomastia?

    A  gynecomastia test or how to know if you have gynecomastia is based primariy on the physical symptoms you may have as indicated earlier.  If you are experiencing swollen breasts (or uneven swelling of breasts), breasts that are tender to the touch or even experiencing pain in one or both breasts or nipples these are basically the physical signs of gynecomastia.

    How to know gynecomastia? Lump in male breast gynecomastia occurs often when there is a breast mass located directly beneath the nipple area that you can feel.  The lump or mass is easily moveable within the breast tissue. 

    A medical exam sometimes is necessary to review your medical history all the medications, supplements, and herbal products you take and what health conditions run in your family to determine lump in male breast gynecomastia. The doctor will also do a physical examination that may include careful evaluation of your male breast lumps, breast tissue, abdomen and genitals.

    Additionally, your doctor will also order tests to determine if other diseases/conditions are the cause of the gynecomastia.  Your medical practitioner may order Breast imaging tests — a mammogram and/or breast ultrasound to rule out breast cancer. Your doctor may also order blood tests to check your hormone levels.

    Including the tests identified previously other tests may be ordered to deterimine the cause of your gynecomastia.  These additional testing may also include: Computerized tomography (CT) scans, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, Testicular ultrasounds and Tissue biopsies.

    Does Breast Cancer Have Similar Symptoms As Gynecomastia?

    Your doctor will want to be sure your breast swelling is actually gynecomastia and not breast cancer.  Although uncommon in men, an enlargement of one breast (usually breast cancer only affects one breast) or the presence of a firm male breast lumps gynecomastia or nodules raises the concern for male breast cancer.

    There should be some concern if the breast is not tender, feels firm-to-hard to the touch, and may contain a lump that feels like it is attached to the breast tissue. Also, lymph nodes in the breast area are enlarged. The skin on the breast area appears dimpled, and there may be leakage of liquid from the nipple.

    Fat Breasts Vs Gynecomastia?

    Another physical symptom that is similar to gynecomastia is Fatty breast tissue. Or fat breasts vs gynecomastia as there is a difference  seen in obese  men and boys who have chest fat that resembles gynecomastia. This is called false gynecomastia (pseudogynecomastia), and it isn’t the same as gynecomastia.  Again, gynecomastia is a swelling of the glandular tissue of the breast; it is not fat deposits.

    How To Know If You Have Gynecomastia Or FAT?

    Gynecomastia or fat?  Gynecomastia (breast tissue) and pseudogynecomastia (chest fat) looks pretty much the same to the untrained eye. The short answer is, if you have true gynecomastia, a rubbery or firm mound of tissue that is around the nipple area can be felt. If it is pseudogynecomastia or chest fat, no such disk or tissue is found.

    You could have pseudogynecomastia as you crossed the age of puberty pseudogynomastia is when pockets of fat are deposited over the pectoral muscle area press gently with a finger tip if you do not have lumpy coin sized masses they are harmless pockets of fat which can be removed by doing cardiovascular exercises.

    What Are The Latest Gynecomastia Treatments? 

    What are the latest gynecomastia treatments in 2019? Usually, no treatment is needed for men (or boys) that have been diagnosed with gynecomastia. Is gynecomastia permanent?  Most cases of gynecomastia lessen with time or disappear. However, if a medical condition is causing gynecomastia, medications may need to be given. 

    If medication you are taking is the cause, your doctor may tell you to stop taking it or may prescribe a different medication. Your doctor may suggest seeing an endocrinologist (a doctor who specializes in treating hormone-related problems). 

    In adolescents going through puberty with no apparent cause of gynecomastia, the doctor may recommend periodic re-evaluations every three to six months to see if the condition improves on its own. Gynecomastia often goes away after puberty without treatment in less than two years. However, treatment may be necessary if gynecomastia doesn’t improve on its own or if it causes significant pain, tenderness or embarrassment.

    Are There Medications That Can Treat Gynecomastia?

    Are there medications to treat reversible gynecomastia?  There are medications used to treat breast cancer and other conditions, such as tamoxifen (Soltamox), raloxifene (Evista) and aromatase inhibitors (Arimidex), that may be helpful for some men with gynecomastia.  Although these medications are approved by the FDA, these have not been approved specifically for the use to treat gynecomastia.

    Coping With Have Gynecomastia!

    Psychological counseling may be recommended for boys and men who find it difficult to cope with overly large breast.  Gynecomastia can be very embarrassing and result in avoiding situations in which the chest is bare (changing clothes in the locker room, swimming, public showering). 

    For some, even with non-bare chests, the male breast can be seen.  This can lead to not wanting to be around other people, anxiety, stress, and depression. Talking with a counselor can help.

    Men with overly enlarged breasts can be stressful and embarrassing. Men with gynecomastia can be difficult to hide and a challenge to romantic relationships. During puberty, gynecomastia can make boys a target for teasing from peers. It can make activities such as swimming or changing in the locker room traumatic.