Gynecomastia is a condition found in newborn boys, males going through puberty and older men where swelling occurs in the breast due to an imbalance of the male hormone testosterone and the female hormone estrogen. Gynecomastia can affect one or both breasts, and it can also cause the male breasts to grow unevenly. This is not a serious medical condition, but it can cause emotional trauma for males who are embarrassed by the presense of developed breasts.
How Hormonal Changes Can Cause Gynecomastia
Hormonal imbalance is the leading cause of gynecomastia and it can happen when testosterone is somehow blocked and replaced by estrogen. Contrary to popular belief, men and women normally have some levels of both of the hormones, although they normally remain dormant if not needed to produce characteristics typical of development. For example, testosterone is responsible for such things as body hair and the development of the Adam's apple in men. Women have testosterone in their bodies, but it doesn't normally lead to the development of male characteristics.
In the case of gynecomastia, hormone levels become confused and release excess amounts of estrogen into the male's system. The result is a tenderness in the breast area which may or may not cause the breasts to grow. The effects of gynecomastia usually disappear on their own, but if they do not, there are drug therapies and surgeries available to permanently stop the imbalance of estrogen in the man's body.
Times That Gynecomastia is Most Prevalent
This condition is very common in newborn males, since they absorb the estrogen of their mothers while in utero. The majority of the time, a baby boy's swollen breasts will disappear within three weeks after birth.
With the rampant hormone changes that take place during puberty, it is not unusual for teenage boys to experience gynecomastia. When puberty is allowed to run its course, the swollen tissues surrounding the breasts should return to normal levels in under two years.
Men between the ages of 50 and 80 have the highest occurrence of gynecomastia, with up to 25 percent being affected in their later years.
Treatment for Gynecomastia
Before commencing with treatment for gynecomastia, doctors will want to insure that the condition is not caused by another underlying health condition like male breast cancer. If none is found and the gynecomastia has not improved without intervention, those affected may choose drugs or surgery to correct the problem. There is presently no drug on the market specifically for gynecomastia, although men and boys may be helped by drugs used to treat breast cancer.
If the patient chooses to undergo surgery, he will most likely be subject to either liposuction or a masectomy.
How Hormonal Changes Can Cause Gynecomastia
Hormonal imbalance is the leading cause of gynecomastia and it can happen when testosterone is somehow blocked and replaced by estrogen. Contrary to popular belief, men and women normally have some levels of both of the hormones, although they normally remain dormant if not needed to produce characteristics typical of development. For example, testosterone is responsible for such things as body hair and the development of the Adam's apple in men. Women have testosterone in their bodies, but it doesn't normally lead to the development of male characteristics.
In the case of gynecomastia, hormone levels become confused and release excess amounts of estrogen into the male's system. The result is a tenderness in the breast area which may or may not cause the breasts to grow. The effects of gynecomastia usually disappear on their own, but if they do not, there are drug therapies and surgeries available to permanently stop the imbalance of estrogen in the man's body.
Times That Gynecomastia is Most Prevalent
This condition is very common in newborn males, since they absorb the estrogen of their mothers while in utero. The majority of the time, a baby boy's swollen breasts will disappear within three weeks after birth.
With the rampant hormone changes that take place during puberty, it is not unusual for teenage boys to experience gynecomastia. When puberty is allowed to run its course, the swollen tissues surrounding the breasts should return to normal levels in under two years.
Men between the ages of 50 and 80 have the highest occurrence of gynecomastia, with up to 25 percent being affected in their later years.
Treatment for Gynecomastia
Before commencing with treatment for gynecomastia, doctors will want to insure that the condition is not caused by another underlying health condition like male breast cancer. If none is found and the gynecomastia has not improved without intervention, those affected may choose drugs or surgery to correct the problem. There is presently no drug on the market specifically for gynecomastia, although men and boys may be helped by drugs used to treat breast cancer.
If the patient chooses to undergo surgery, he will most likely be subject to either liposuction or a masectomy.
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