Prominent breasts may be a desirable attribute for a woman to have, but it causes concern when experienced by a man. When abnormal breast development occurs in a male, the condition is known as gynecomastia. Not surprisingly, men who experience this condition often experience significant anxiety and embarrassment. What are the causes of male breast enlargement?
The Causes of Male Breast Enlargement in Children
Gynecomastia is usually caused by an excess of the hormone estrogen in the bloodstream. Newborn babies commonly experience symptoms of male breast enlargement immediately after delivery due to exposure to estrogen from the mother. This usually resolves shortly after birth. Breast enlargement can occur again when a boy reaches adolescence and starts going through the changes associated with puberty. During puberty, hormone imbalances occur that can cause gynecomastia. The symptom of male breast enlargement in adolescents is usually short-lived and gradually resolves as the child matures.
Breast Enlargement Due to Obesity
In some cases, breast prominence and fullness can be related to obesity. This isn’t considered to be a true form of gynecomastia since it’s related to the presence of excess fat rather than glandular tissue. This type of male breast enlargement improves in most cases with weight loss.
Causes of Breast Enlargement in an Older Man
When symptoms of breast enlargement occur in an older adult man, it can be related to a hormonal imbalance associated with the aging process. This occurs when testosterone levels start to decline and the hormone estrogen becomes dominant. (Yes, men have estrogen too). Estrogen stimulates glandular breast tissue to grow and enlarge, resulting in more prominent breast tissue. It’s estimated that up to one in four men experience this condition as they age.
More Serious Causes of Male Breast Enlargement
Although the presence of male breast enlargement may be normal at certain times in a man’s life, some serious medical conditions can cause gynecomastia. These include tumors involving the brain, testicles, or adrenal gland and conditions that alter hormone levels including liver disease, kidney disease, or a thyroid disorder. Alcoholics often have symptoms of male breast enlargement due to cirrhosis of the liver. It can also be associated with a chromosomal abnormality called Klinefelter’s Syndrome, which is usually diagnosed before puberty.
An often overlooked cause of male breast enlargement are medications .There is a fairly substantial list of medications that can cause gynecomastia including steroid medications, drugs used to treat epilepsy, and even some medications used to treat peptic ulcers. A comprehensive list of medications that cause gynecomastia can be found online.
Less Common Causes of Male Breast Enlargement
Another cause of male breast enlargement is the use of lavender oil or tea tree oil. Both lavender and tea tree oil been associated with gynecomastia in young boys. It’s thought these oils contain substances that have estrogen-like effects on the body which stimulates the growth of breast tissue.
In up to one in four cases, a cause of male breast enlargement won’t be found and the condition becomes known as idiopathic gynecomastia. Gynecomastia can sometimes be treated with testosterone supplements or medications that block the effects of estrogen. In more severe cases, surgery may be needed.
References:
N Engl J Med. 328(7); 490-5
N Engl J Med. 2007 Feb 1;356(5): 479-85
