To function properly our body needs hormones, and testosterone and estrogen are sex hormones because they are responsible for sexual function.
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Testosterone is called the “male†hormone and estrogen “female†hormone as some would say but that's not correct because both men and women have both of those hormones. However testosterone rules in men and estrogen in women and their level is crucial to sexual characteristics
For our body to function properly hormones need to be in balance, if there is too many of them or too little there is a problem. One of those problems is gynecomastia, enlarged male breast tissue that takes on the appearance of a girl's breasts in the early puberty, that in most cases is a result of imbalance of testosterone and estrogen.
Gynecomastia may be present in men in all stages of life but newborns, kid in puberty and older adults have a greater chance to experience that disorder.
Now, this is completely logical and not unexpected.
More than 50% of male newborns have enlarged breasts due to the mother’s estrogen levels. In a few weeks that condition will go away.
In puberty hormones go wild so it's again expected that estrogen level may surge and ineed more than 50% of teenage boys have enlarged breast. The condition goes away as hormone levels go to normal.
In older age men produce less testosterone and estrogen may take control which means enlarged breast tissue.
Obese people may have enlarged breasts but this is pseudogynecomastia, not a medical condition or something hormone related.
Gynecomastia is not complicated to diagnose because it is a growth underneath the nipple that may move easily and be tender to touch. A blood test in the morning will show the level of testosterone so we can be sure is that the cause.
An examination of tissue specimens under a microscope reveals that the diffuse connective tissue of the breast had multiplied. Large canals are not multiplied, they are only more or less expanded. The interspace, especially around the small canals, is infiltrated with inflammatory cells. All this shows that gynecomastia is the result of a hormonal imbalance.
Beside hormones, adrenal tumors, kidney disease, Klinefelter syndrome, (a syndrome that affects testicular growth resulting in smaller than normal testicles), liver disease, or thyroid disease may cause gynecomastia. It is important to make tests for those conditions in case there is something to be cured.
On top of that some medicines may cause gynecomastia, among them drugs for depression, infections, heartburn, and things such as marijuana and amphetamines. But lavender oil found in skin care products may also cause gynecomastia so be careful when using them as you should be careful with any supplement.
Treatments for gynecomastia are simple: something or nothing.
If the drugs are the cause a replacement may be found. Men may also choose a surgery to revert their breasts to a normal size if that bothers them much. And for nothing, well, some men accept the condition and live happily.
Gynecomastia is the most common male breast disorder and it is not related to male breast cancer. ■