Decoding Gynecomastia: Unveiling Causes, From Hormonal Imbalance to Medications – A Comprehensive Guide for Effective Management

 How do we investigate the causes of gynecomastia?

                 

Gynecomastia is a common problem, but it is not normal! Affecting almost half of the male population, this problem has viable and effective treatment options, however, to solve the problem, the causes of gynecomastia must be investigated so that the problem does not return after treatment.

Causes of gynecomastia: there are several culprits

When talking about the causes of gynecomastia, there are several culprits, which can range from hormonal changes caused by various factors, to even a tumor at the site. The ideal thing to do before starting treatment is to seek assistance from a professional, as just like the causes, the treatments are also different, check it out!

 

Discovering the beginning of the problem

To find the causes of gynecomastia, knowing the patient's history and when the problem began are essential factors in understanding whether the patient's age group or actions at a given time determined the onset of gynecomastia.

Finding out whether the growth of male breasts is rapid, painful, and lasts only a matter of a few months or whether it is slow, painless, and lasts years to cause discomfort is also important to discover whether there is a tumor or hormonal action.

Imaging tests, such as ultrasound and x-rays, are important tests to prove the diagnosis of gynecomastia, as well as blood tests are ideal for checking whether the patient's health is good and whether there are any changes in the blood.

 

Erectile dysfunction is an important symptom

Gynecomastia can be caused by hypogonadism, a disease characterized by inadequate and lesser production of testosterone by the testicles. Before causing gynecomastia, this problem causes erectile dysfunction, fertilization difficulties, decreased libido, and loss of hair and strength.

 

Agalactorrhea is not a shame, it is a symptom

Agalactorrhea is a problem defined as milk production in men. This problem, which seems to be shameful, is not. It is an important symptom to evaluate the cause of gynecomastia. Men who experience agalactorrhea may be suffering from hyperprolactinemia, a disorder in the hormone prolactin, which is responsible for preparing the female breasts for breastfeeding during pregnancy and the breastfeeding period.

 

Do you use anabolic steroids? Stay tuned

50% of people who use anabolic steroids have hormonal disorders. Anabolic steroids insert a high amount of testosterone into the bloodstream, which, for metabolic reasons, can be transformed into female hormones, which in turn enlarge breasts, among other problems.

In addition to this problem, anabolic steroids make the body understand that there is a much greater amount of testosterone than it should, therefore, it produces this important hormone in smaller quantities, which can cause the body to become unbalanced, facilitating the appearance of gynecomastia.

 

Drug and alcohol use are risk factors

Drugs such as marijuana, amphetamines, heroin, and alcohol are substances that, in addition to causing health problems, can cause gynecomastia. If you use any of these substances, pay attention, it could be the cause of breast enlargement.

 

New medication may be the cause

If the patient is undergoing a new treatment or has even changed his medication, this may be related to the increase in male breasts. Some medications can decrease the amount of testosterone, while others can increase estrogen (female hormone).

In other cases, some medications can cause hyperprolactinemia, as well as enhancing proteins linked to existing sex hormones. There is also the case that diuretic medications cause this problem! Among the main medications that can cause this problem are:

 

·         antiandrogens;

·         cimetidine;

·         isoniazid;

·         ketoconazole;

·         omeprazole;

·         diazepam;

·         haloperidol;

·         antiretroviral;

·         finasteride;

·         fluoxetine;

·         monoxide;

·         risperidone;

·         Tricyclic antidepressants.

 

Taking these medications does not necessarily cause gynecomastia, but they may be the cause if the patient has the problem.

Presence of tumors in the body

Patients who have tumors in the testicles, Leydig cell tumors, Sertoli cell tumors, germinal tumors, primary tumors of the adrenal cortex, and hepatocellular carcinoma may develop gynecomastia.