For men, the most common of all breast conditions is gynecomastia, and enlarging of the breast tissue. Unlike pseudogynecomastia which is caused by fatty tissue, gynecomastia in men is a benign breast disease.
In young boys, prior to attaining puberty, causation of gynecomastia is hard to determine. Over 90% of all prepubescent breast enlargements are idiopathic with no known cause. In the remaining 10%, there appears to be either an underlying serious health issue.
The NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health) conducted tests of products containing tea tree and lavender oil essences due to a study of three cases of prepubescent gynecomastia. The results indicated that these oils have the same effect as increased estrogen levels often associated with gynecomastia in men. They therefore recommend not using lavender or tea tree oil based products on young boys.
Breast enlargement during the years of puberty is labeled as pubertal gynecomastia and is quite common. Many teens will develop some breast enlargement and not ever realize it. In severe cases, the hormonal fluctuations common during puberty will cause visibly enlarged breasts.
Most cases of gynecomastia in men are caused by a failure of the system to normalize after pubertal enlargement of the breast tissue. Nearly a quarter of all reported cases arise as a side effect caused by medication, illegal drug use or chronic medical condition. Only 25% of gynecomastia cases have an unknown origin, with very few patients have an underlying diagnosis of breast cancer.
Adult presentations of enlarged breast tissues are typically due to imbalanced hormone levels, with high levels of estrogen. If the causation is attributable to drugs or medication usage, refraining from illegal drug use or changes in prescribed medication will usually deter the symptoms of gynecomastia in men. Many medications currently prescribed for older men and many illegal substances, such as anabolic steroids, will exacerbate the condition.
Certain genetic disorders, such as Klinefelter Syndrome, as well as chronic liver disease, tumors and castration can also cause gynecomastia in men. All of these issues can create higher levels of estrogen in the male system resulting in enlargement of the breasts. Except in cases of the genetic mutation of a XXY chromosome structure, treating the underlying condition may reverse the enlargement.
Many men and adolescent boys view gynecomastia in men as an emotional and embarrassing issue. This often results in them “hiding” the problem, instead of seeking medical advice. To eliminate any possibility of cancer or identify an underlying medical cause, a clinical exam is necessary. If the breast tissue is sore or tender, this is extremely important to rule out any other diagnosis.
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