Enlarged breast tissue in boys and men is called gynecomastia, and can be an embarrassing condition for the adolescent or adult male. A wide range of factors can cause a male to develop breasts, ranging from underlying illness to hormonal imbalance. Pinpointing the reason for male breasts can help you and your doctor determine an appropriate treatment without resorting to surgery.
Step 1
Read the fine print on any medications or supplements you may be taking to determine if swollen breast tissue is a side effect. According to MayoClinic.com, a variety of medicines can induce gynecomastia, including chemotherapy drugs, anabolic steroids, ulcer medications, tricyclic antidepressants, and antiretroviral AIDS drugs.
In many cases, gynecomastia is reversible after you've stopped taking the medications causing the problem. Discuss your medication and supplement use with your doctor; don't stop your drug regimen without his confirmation.
Step 2
Evaluate your hormone levels through blood testing. The National Institutes of Health explains that hormone imbalances, including too much estrogen, an overactive thyroid and a testosterone deficiency can cause a man to develop large breasts. Treating hormonal imbalances with medication is a non-surgical remedy for gynecomastia. Blood tests can also check your liver and kidney function; chronic impairment of these vital organs may also lead to enlarged breasts in a male.
Step 3
Discontinue use of cosmetic or aromatherapy products that contain tea tree oil or the oils derived from the lavender plant. Studies reported in a February 2007 issue of the "New England Journal of Medicine" showed that young boys who had not yet reached puberty showed signs of gynecomastia after the use of these two essential oils. Breast tissue reduced on its own after the subjects stopped using the oil-based products.
Step 4
Take tamoxifen, a prescription drug used to fight certain types of cancers, to reduce male breasts without surgical intervention. The December 1997 issue of "Urology" details cases in which men who developed gynecomastia as a result of their prostate cancer medications were given 10 to 30 mg of tamoxifen daily. The research subjects showed improvement in hormone levels and pain associated with enlarged breasts.
Tips and Warnings
- Newborn baby boys may have gynecomastia due to an overflow of estrogen they've received from their mothers. The condition does not need to be treated in baby boys; breast tissue will reduce on its own within a few weeks. Though gynecomastia is the enlargement of breast tissue and not fat, older men who are overweight have an increased risk of the condition, according to MayoClinic.com. If you are a senior citizen of large girth and notice breast development, speak to your doctor about starting a healthy weight-loss problem in an attempt to resolve the problem early.
References
- Medline Plus: Gynecomastia
- MayoClinic.com: Gynecomastia Causes
- "New England Journal of Medicine"; Prepubertal Gynecomastia Linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oils; D. Henley, et al; Feb. 1, 2007.
- "Urology"; Tamoxifen for Flutamide/Finasteride-Induced Gynecomastia; V. Staiman and F. Lowe; December 1997.
