Large breasts in men: When is it abnormal?

This is an automatically translated article.

Some men have enlarged breasts just like women. Large breasts in men can appear in infants, boys who have passed puberty, or in older men due to changes in hormone levels, although there are other causes as well.

1. What causes large breasts in men?

Gynecomastia is an increase in the amount of breast tissue in men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Enlarged breasts in men can occur in one or both breasts and are sometimes uneven between the breasts.
Male enlargement of breasts can appear in infants, boys past puberty or in older men due to changes in hormone levels, although there are other causes as well.
Enlarged breasts in men are triggered by a decrease in the amount of the hormone testosterone relative to the hormone estrogen due to: a decrease in the effect of testosterone, or a decrease in testosterone or an increase in estrogen. A number of causes can upset this hormone balance, including:
1.1. Enlarged breasts in men due to hormonal changes
The hormones testosterone and estrogen control sex characteristics in both men and women. Testosterone controls male characteristics, like muscle mass. Estrogen controls female characteristics including breast growth.
Most people think that the hormone estrogen is only found in women, but the reality is that men also produce this hormone in small amounts at normal times. When a man's estrogen levels are too high or out of balance with his testosterone levels, it can cause gynecomastia in men.
Male breast enlargement occurs in infants: More than half of male infants are born with large breasts due to the influence of maternal estrogen. Usually the swollen breast tissue goes away within two to three weeks after giving birth. Large breasts in men appear during puberty: It is relatively common for men to have enlarged breasts due to hormonal changes during puberty. In most cases, the swollen breast tissue will go away without treatment within 6 months to 2 years. Large breasts in men appear in older people: The incidence rate increases again between the ages of 50 and 69. It is estimated that at least a quarter of men in this age group are affected. 1.2. Big breasts in men due to drugs

Several drugs can cause enlarged breasts in men, including:
Anti-androgen drugs used to treat prostate enlargement, prostate cancer, and other conditions. Some of these drugs include: Flutamide, Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) and Spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir). Anabolic and androgenic steroids are used by doctors under certain circumstances or sometimes illegally by athletes for muscle growth and performance enhancement for greater performance. AIDS drugs: Male gynecomastia can develop in HIV-infected men who are treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy. The drug Efavirenz (Sustiva) is more commonly associated with this condition than other drugs. Anti-anxiety medications, such as Diazepam. Tricyclic antidepressants Antibiotics Ulcer drugs Cancer drugs Cardiovascular drugs such as Digoxin and calcium channel blockers. Medicines for the stomach and intestines such as Metoclopramide. 1.3. Large breasts in men due to certain chemicals
Alcohol Amphetamines Cannabis Heroin Methadone (Methadone, Dolophine) 1.4. Enlarged breasts in men due to certain health conditions
Certain health conditions can cause enlarged breasts in men by disrupting the balance of sex hormones.
Effects on testosterone production such as: Klinefelter syndrome, hypopituitarism, trauma or disease affecting the testicles. Due to aging: Hormonal changes that occur with normal aging can cause men to have enlarged breasts, especially overweight men. Tumors: Certain tumors such as those involving the testicles, adrenal glands, or pituitary gland can alter the balance of the testosterone-estrogen hormone. Hyperthyroidism Renal failure: About half of patients treated with dialysis experience enlarged breasts due to hormonal changes. Liver failure and cirrhosis: changes in hormone levels related to liver problems or medications for cirrhosis. Malnutrition: When the body is undernourished, testosterone levels drop while estrogen levels remain the same, causing a hormonal imbalance. However, breast enlargement in men can still occur when the normal diet returns. 1.5. Large breasts in men due to herbal products
Plant oils such as tea tree or lavender used in shampoos, soaps or perfumes have been linked to enlarged breasts in men. Because these products contain natural estrogen, it can upset the normal hormone levels in the user's body.

2. Symptoms of big breasts in men

The first sign of enlarged breasts in men that sufferers can feel is a mass of fatty tissue under the nipple. Sometimes this mass can be painful. This can make patients worried that they have male breast cancer, which occurs in a small number of men. However, men with large breasts are not necessarily due to breast cancer, and doctors can run some tests to determine this.
Male gynecomastia can be unilateral or bilateral. When it occurs on both sides, it may be uneven, big and small. And sometimes there is discharge from the breast.

3. Diagnosis of enlarged breasts in men

When a doctor suspects a man has large breasts, he or she may do a physical exam to look for abnormalities in the breasts. The doctor will ask some questions such as:
Puberty and the change in breast size during puberty. When is the difference in breast size that the patient notices? Is the patient being treated for any disease? What medication is the patient taking? Does the patient drink alcohol or use drugs? .... The doctor may then conduct blood or hormone tests; breast ultrasound or breast biopsy to find out what is causing the condition.

4. Treatment of large breasts in men

Usually, breast enlargement in men does not require treatment. Teenagers' breasts will return to normal within 2 to 3 years. If during that time there is swelling and pain in the breast, the patient can use ice or pain relievers.
If the cause is a medical problem, treating that medical condition may help. If your breast size increases due to a medication you are taking then it is necessary to stop the medication and change to another drug if necessary, this should be consulted by a specialist. The patient also needs to abstain from alcohol and any illegal drugs or chemicals that can cause enlarged breasts in men as outlined above.
If the condition does not improve, and the patient feels uncomfortable with the condition, the doctor may prescribe some estrogen-reducing drugs. Surgery can also help restore the shape of the breasts and improve the patient's aesthetics. Although surgery offers long-lasting results, patients also need to adhere to a healthy lifestyle.
Vinmec International General Hospital with a system of modern facilities, medical equipment and a team of experts and doctors with many years of experience in medical examination and treatment, patients can rest assured to visit. examination and treatment at the Hospital.
To register for examination and treatment at Vinmec International General Hospital, you can contact Vinmec Health System nationwide, or register online HERE.
Reference source: mayoclinic.org
SEE MORE
3 steps at home breast self-exam to help find breast cancer early Common breast cancer mistakes Risk factors for developing breast cancer in men