Causes and symptoms of gynecomastia or male breasts

Gynecomastia is a condition that occurs in men, through which they develop enlargement in their breast tissues. This can affect one of the breasts or both of the breasts and is caused due to ann unbalance in the hormones of the person, oestrogen, and testosterone. This can develop in newborns or boys going through puberty and also in adult males as a result of hormonal imbalance.

This problem sometimes goes away with time but in case it persists, medication can be given or Gynecomastia Surgery can be performed. If left untreated, this condition may cause pain and sometimes in more serious cases may cause nipple discharge.

Causes of Gynecomastia or Male Breasts

Every individual, male or female has both male and female hormones. It is triggered by an imbalance in the level of these hormones. When, the level of oestrogen which is a female hormone increases in relation to the male hormone, androgens or testosterones. Several factors can contribute to this hormonal imbalance. It can be due to the development of certain conditions that reduce the effect of or decrease the secretion of the male hormones or on the other hand, the increased effect or production of female hormones.

Some of the causes are given below.

1.    HORMONES- Both the hormones, testosterone and oestrogen control the sexual characteristics in both males and females. It is believed that oestrogen is a female hormone and is secreted only in women. However, it is also found in males, although in lower quantities.

o   Gynecomastia in infants- Because of the presence of their mother's oestrogen, a large number of male infants have enlarged breasts when they are born. Within two to three weeks after their birth, the swollen breast tissue becomes normal as the female hormones go away.

o   Gynecomastia during puberty- During puberty gynecomastia is caused by hormone changes and this is very commonly occurring gynecomastia. In most boys going through puberty, without treatment, the swollen breast tissue goes away within six months up to two years.

o   Gynecomastia in men- For men between the ages of 50 and 80, gynecomastia becomes prevalent again. One in four men in this age group is definitely affected by this condition.

2.    MEDICATIONS- Anti-androgens, that are used for treating prostate cancer and prostate enlargement. Gynecomastia can easily develop in HIV postive male because the medications can cause the disorder. Other medications that can cause gynecomastia include antibiotics, anti-anxiety medications, anti-depressents, ulcer medications, heart medications and cancer treatments.

3.    DRUGS AND ALCOHOL- Some drugs such as amphetamines, meth, marijuana, heroin and methadone can cause gynecomastia. Also, alcohol is believed to be trigger.

4.    HEALTH CODITIONS- Some health conditions can cause hormonal imbalances in men and hence, lead them to develop gynecomastia. These health condititons include hyperthyroidism, kidney failure, liver failure, malnutrition or starvation, hypogondanism, tumours and also, due to aging.

Symptoms

These symptoms may develop in one or both of the breasts.

1.    When a man develops gynecomastia they can identify it as a rubbery mass sitting firmly underneath the nipple area. It may or may not be tender and is usually, an inch and half across the nipple.

2.    Sometimes, this is the only symptom by which gynecomastia can be identified, but in more severe cases, there may be some fluid discharge from the nipple.

3.    In some cases, it can also be painful.