10 Common Causes of Gynecomastia in Men

1. 10 Common Causes of Gynecomastia in Men Being a male, you would nod in agreement that discussing your body image is highly sensitive, especially if it is not in your control. One such issue that doesn’t get discussed often is gynecomastia or an enlarged male breast condition. Even if it is not life-threatening or serious, gynecomastia can negatively impact your mental and physical health. However, the relieving fact is that this condition of enlarged glandular tissue can be treated with gynecomastia surgery to achieve a flat and contoured chest. What is Gynecomastia? Males having abnormal growth of breast tissue develop a common condition called Gynecomastia. Though males have a tiny percentage of breast tissue, they experience abnormal growth due to gynecomastia on one or both sides. Despite being a non-cancerous or non-threatening condition, this condition induced by enlarged male breast tissue can cause psychological distress and affect your self-esteem.

2. Top 10 Causes Of Gynecomastia Here’s a detailed breakdown of the common factors that contribute to the development of gynecomastia among males of varying age groups. 1. Hormonal Imbalances Leading to Gynecomastia Gynecomastia condition is usually caused by an imbalance in the proportion of hormones, specifically the balance between testosterone or androgens and estrogen. The role of hormonal imbalance in influencing the occurrence of gynecomastia can be due to: ● Estrogen Dominance: This hormone is responsible for the growth of breast tissue among males and females. When the levels of estrogen are higher than testosterone, it can kindle the enlargement of your glandular tissue. Estrogen levels tend to increase owing to excess aromatase enzyme activity in your body. ● Testosterone Deficiency: This hormone is essential for your body’s development and combats breast tissue development. However, when the levels of testosterone decline, it fails to inhibit glandular tissue growth, making estrogen to become more dominant. There would be low levels of testosterone production when your body develops androgen resistance or due to hypogonadism condition. 2. Medications That Can Cause Gynecomastia Certain medications can induce gynecomastia condition as a side effect, as some formulations of the drugs might hamper the hormonal balance. The medications that might lead to gynecomastia are: ● Antiandrogen Medications ● Cardiovascular Medications ● Antipsychotic Medications ● Chemotherapy Drugs

3. 3. Impact of Steroid Use Athletes and bodybuilders taking synthetic substances like anabolic steroids often face the risk of developing gynecomastia. Steroid-induced enlarged glandular tissue is caused by: ● Rise In Aromatase Activity ● Testosterone Production Gets Affected ● Activates Estrogen Receptors 4. Obesity and Fat Distribution Obesity is often ignored as a major cause of the enlargement of glandular tissue in men. Here’s why obesity triggers enlarged breast issues: ● Irregular Fat Distribution: Some men’s bodies might store excess fat in their chest area or upper body, which can lead to enlarged breast condition. Abnormal fat distribution in the chest increases breast volume and makes it look protruded. ● High Aromatase Activity: In obese males, there would be an increase in aromatase activity in their adipose tissue, which causes gynecomastia. ● Metabolic Syndrome: Visceral fat in obese men can trigger metabolic syndrome along with insulin resistance, which in turn disrupts hormone levels. It raises SHBG or sex hormone-inducing globulin and leptin levels by affecting HPG or hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal activity to cut down free testosterone levels. 5. Alcohol Consumption 6. Chronic Health Conditions Various health conditions will cause disruptions in the hormone levels in your body. These underlying health issues might also be the culprit causing gynecomastia.

4. ● Testicular Conditions ● Liver Issues ● Hyperthyroidism ● Kidney Issues ● Hypogonadism 7. Puberty-Related Gynecomastia Pubertal gynecomastia is a common condition that affects boys aged between 10 and 14 years in entering the puberty stage. 8. Aging and Hormonal Changes Around 70% of men aged above 50 might develop gynecomastia due to the decline in the production level of testosterone. 9. Drug Use Using recreational substances can be extremely harmful to your body’s hormones and can cause gynecomastia, especially among young men. ● Marijuana: Substances like marijuana will disrupt the production of hormones leading to glandular tissue enlargement in the breast. The compounds present in it get bound to the receptors of estrogen to stimulate abnormal growth of breast tissue. ● Other Substances: Drugs like amphetamines, methadone, and heroin will obstruct the pathways involved in hormone production by causing damage to vital organs that regulate hormones. 10. Genetic Disorders

5. Idiopathic Cases with No Clear Cause Few cases of gynecomastia remain a mystery as the exact cause behind it is unknown, which is why it is called idiopathic gynecomastia. It is estimated that about 25% of gynecomastia cases don’t have the right cause even after a thorough clinical evaluation. Such unexplained enlarged glandular tissue might be a result of subtle variations in hormones, genetic factors, or high sensitivity of breast tissue. Sometimes, exposure to industrial chemicals, pesticides, or plastics might increase estrogen levels leading to gynecomastia. Though such idiopathic gynecomastia condition is not serious, patients dealing with it face psychological distress and have low confidence. However, you can schedule a consultation with the plastic surgeon at Akruti Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery Centre to learn more about gynecomastia surgery to get a well-contoured chest.