The National Institutes of Health suggest several causes of male breast pain which can be linked to medical conditions from gynecomastia to alcoholism with liver damage, injuries, mediation use, shingles or mastitis--an infection in the breast tissue caused by bacteria.
Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia.org defines this condition as common among adolescent males going through bodily changes and puberty. This disorder literally means, "woman" and "breasts" in Greek and describes a painful condition in which the male breasts become enlarged due to medications, puberty, steroids, obesity, tumors, genetic disorders, chronic liver disease, Klinefelter syndrome, Gilbert's syndrome, aging--when it continues with older men--and castration. This condition can have devastating effects to the psychological well-being and self-image as well as feeling physically painful.
Alcoholism with Liver Damage
The Merck Manual Professional suggests that alcoholism can result in liver damage called "fatty liver" or hepatic steatosis. The liver begins to accumulate excess fat and can lead to pain throughout the chest and abdomen area, especially after eating. Dietary factors contribute to this disease to include malnutrition--especially protein-energy under-nutrition--high amounts of alcohol, unsaturated fats and/or obesity.
Shingles
According the the University of Maryland Medical Center, shingles--a painful and blistering rash can contribute to male breast pain. If shingles are present across one or both breasts, there is a high likelihood of accompanying pain and discomfort.
Medication Use
The University of Maryland Medical Center posits that medication use can cause male breast pain. The use of diuretics, digitalis preparations, Aldomet, methyldopa, Aldactone, spironolactone, Anadrol and chlorpromazine are medications listed with male breast pain complaints. However, steroid use is also attributable to the condition gynecomastia that has accompanying breast pain problems.
References
- National Institutes of Health: Causes of Male Breast Pain; Dec 2008
- Gynecomastia.org:"Gynecomastia in Men; 2010
- Merck Manual Professional: Fatty liver: Approach to the Patient with Liver Disease"; 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: "Breast Pain, Overview"; Dec 2008
- Gynecomastia.org: Gynecomastia Questionnaire
