Gynecomastia--the development of large breasts--occurs in boys and men when their levels of testosterone and estrogen are out of balance. These cases are most common in newborns, adolescent boys and older men because their hormones are fluctuating. Although gynecomastia generally isn't a serious condition, it may be psychologically scarring. It also can be a symptom of an underlying disorder.
Cause
When the amount of testosterone in a male's body is surpassed by the amount of estrogen, gynecomastia can be a side effect. Normal hormonal changes can cause gynecomastia, as can any condition that reduces the amount of testosterone, increases the level of estrogen or blocks the effects of testosterone in the male's body. Medical conditions linked to gynecomastia include cirrhosis or hypogonadism. Medications with estrogen-like activity or that inhibit testosterone, such as steroids, also can cause male breast growth.
Treatment
According to the Mayo Clinic, many gynecomastia cases go away within three years without any medical intervention. If a more serious underlying condition is causing the gynecomastia, that condition may have to be treated. If a medication is the culprit, a physician may stop prescribing it or replace it. When adolescent boys have gynecomastia and doctors cannot find a specific cause, they may opt to do a periodic evaluation and will treat the condition only if it does not improve within a certain time frame or if it is causing a lot of pain and embarrassment.
Medicine
Medications used to treat conditions such as breast cancer, including tamoxifen and raloxifene, may help treat males with gynecomastia. According to a 1986 study published by medical journal Metabolism, seven of 10 male patients saw a decrease in the size of their gynecomastia as a result of taking tamoxifen. As of this writing, these medications were not yet specifically approved for gynecomastia.
Surgery
If a case of gynecomastia does not resolve itself or if treatments fail and an affected male is embarrassed by the condition, surgery may be an option. Liposuction removes breast fat without removing any gland tissue. A mastectomy removes breast gland tissue through small incisions.
Environmental Causes
Certain environmental factors also may cause gynecomastia. For example, according to a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, repeated use of topical products containing tea tree oil and/or lavender oil may cause gynecomastia in boys who have not yet gone through puberty. A male who consumes food that has been contaminated by estrogen or a cosmetic that contains estrogen may be at higher risk of developing gynecomastia. You can't avoid all the potential culprits, but check the potential side effects of your medications and discuss environmental factors with your doctor.
