Gynecomastia

Gynaecomastia is a common condition that makes breast tissue swell and becomes larger than normal in boys and men. It is very common for teenage boys and older men.

Symptoms and signs of gynecomastia

• Enlarged glands in the breast tissue
• Tenderness or pain in the breast

Causes

Hormone imbalance: Testosterone and estrogen are responsible for sexual development in men and women respectively. Men produce estrogen also. When testosterone and estrogen are thrown out of balance, it may cause gynecomastia.

Obesity: Being obese may cause gynecomastia as overweight can increase the estrogen levels which may cause breast tissue to grow.

Medication: Certain medications like anabolic steroids, medicines for HIV/AIDS, antibiotics and chemotherapy may also cause gynecomastia.

Puberty: At the time of puberty, hormone levels of boys vary. When the level of testosterone drops, estrogen may cause breast tissue to grow.

Old age: As men get older, they produce less testosterone. Older men usually have more body fat, due to which more estrogen may be produced. These changes in hormone levels may cause excess breast tissue growth.

Health Issues: Certain health conditions like hypogonadism (a hormonal disorder), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid gland), kidney failure, cirrhosis, tumors, liver failure, and malnutrition can lead to gynecomastia.

Treatment

• In most of the cases, gynecomastia slowly gets better on its own without any treatment.
• The treatment depends on your age, your health condition, and how well you respond to certain drugs.
• If you have gynecomastia, your doctor may refer you to an endocrinologist, who treats problems related to hormones and the way they affect your body.
• If your hormone imbalance is due to any other health problem, you’ll need to treat that underlying condition.
• When gynecomastia occurs during puberty, it normally goes away on its own. This may take anywhere from 6 months to 3 years.
• You might be given some medications to deal with the hormone imbalance that’s causing gynecomastia.
• And in some cases, you may have to go for surgery to remove extra breast fat (liposuction) or breast gland tissue (mastectomy).

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