Gynecomastia: Symptoms, Causes, Complication, Treatments And Preventions

images (10)Gynecomastia is swelling of the breast tissue in boys or men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts, sometimes unevenly. Newborns, boys going through puberty and older men may develop gynecomastia as a result of normal changes in hormone levels, though other causes also exist.

Generally, gynecomastia isn’t a serious problem, but it can be tough to cope with. Men and boys with gynecomastia sometimes have pain in their breasts and may feel embarrassed.

Symptoms
Signs and symptoms of gynecomastia include:

Swollen breast gland tissue

Breast tenderness

When to see a doctor
See your doctor if you have:

Swelling

Pain

Tenderness

Nipple discharge in one or both breasts

Causes
Gynecomastia is triggered by a decrease in the amount of the hormone testosterone compared with estrogen. The cause of this decrease can be conditions that block the effects of or reduce testosterone or a condition that increases your estrogen level.

Complication
Although there are few physical complications associated with gynecomastia, having this condition can cause psychological or emotional problems caused by appearance.

Treatments
Most cases of gynecomastia regress over time without treatment. However, if gynecomastia is caused by an underlying condition, such as hypogonadism, malnutrition or cirrhosis, that condition may need treatment. If you’re taking medications that can cause gynecomastia, your doctor may recommend stopping them or substituting another medication.

In adolescents 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 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.

Medications
Medications used to treat breast cancer and other conditions, such as tamoxifen and raloxifene, may be helpful for some men with gynecomastia. Although these medications are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, they have not been approved specifically for this use.

Surgery to remove excess breast tissue
If you still have significant bothersome breast enlargement despite initial treatment or observation, your doctor may advise surgery.

Prevention
There are a few factors you can control that may reduce the risk of gynecomastia:

Don’t use illegal drugs. Examples include steroids and androgens, amphetamines, heroin, and marijuana.

Avoid alcohol. Don’t drink alcohol, or drink very little.

Review your medications.