Gynecomastia (patient information): Difference between revisions
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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Gynecomastia|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Gynecomastia|here]]''' | ||
{{CMG}}; {{AE}} {{AN}} | {{CMG}}; {{AE}} Husnain Shaukat, M.D; {{AN}} | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
==What are the symptoms of Gynecomastia?== | ==What are the symptoms of Gynecomastia?== | ||
*Breast enlargement | |||
*Breast pain | |||
==What causes Gynecomastia?== | ==What causes Gynecomastia?== | ||
Androgens are hormones that create male characteristics, such as hair growth, muscle size, and a deep voice. Estrogens are hormones that create female characteristics | *All men have both androgens and estrogens in fix levels. Androgens are hormones that create male characteristics, such as hair growth, muscle size, and a deep voice. Estrogens are hormones that create female characteristics. | ||
*Changes in the levels of these hormones, or in how the body uses or responds to these hormones can cause enlarged breasts in men. | |||
Changes in the levels of these hormones, or in how the body uses or responds to these hormones can cause enlarged breasts in men. | ===Common causes include=== | ||
*Infancy | |||
*Puberty | |||
*Aging | |||
*Chronic liver disease | |||
*Exposure to anabolic steroid hormones | |||
Aging | *Exposure to estrogen hormone | ||
*Kidney failure and dialysis | |||
Chronic liver disease | *Lack (deficiency) of testosterone (male hormone) | ||
Exposure to anabolic steroid hormones | *Marijuana use | ||
Exposure to estrogen hormone | *Hormone treatment for prostate cancer | ||
Kidney failure and dialysis | *Radiation treatment of the testicles | ||
Lack (deficiency) of testosterone (male hormone) | *Side effects of some medications (ketoconazole, spironolactone, metronidazole, cimetidine.) | ||
Marijuana use | *Overactive thyroid | ||
Hormone treatment for prostate cancer | ===Rare causes include=== | ||
Radiation treatment of the testicles | *Genetic defects | ||
Side effects of some medications (ketoconazole, spironolactone, metronidazole, cimetidine | *Tumors | ||
===Signs that may suggest breast cancer include=== | |||
Rare causes include | *One-sided breast growth | ||
*Firm or hard breast lump that feels like it is attached to the tissue | |||
Genetic defects | *Skin sore over the breast | ||
*Bloody discharge from the nipple | |||
Tumors | |||
One-sided breast growth | |||
Firm or hard breast lump that feels like it is attached to the tissue | |||
Skin sore over the breast | |||
Bloody discharge from the nipple | |||
==When to seek medical care?== | ==When to seek medical care?== | ||
Call your health care provider if: | *Call your health care provider if: | ||
**You have recent swelling, pain, or enlargement in one or both breasts. | |||
You have recent swelling, pain, or enlargement in one or both breasts | **There is dark or bloody discharge from the nipples. | ||
There is dark or bloody discharge from the nipples | **There is a skin sore or ulcer over the breast. | ||
There is a skin sore or ulcer over the breast | **A breast lump feels hard or firm. | ||
A breast lump feels hard or firm | |||
Note: Gynecomastia in children who have not yet reached puberty should always be checked by a health care provider. | Note: Gynecomastia in children who have not yet reached puberty should always be checked by a health care provider. | ||
| Line 56: | Line 48: | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
===Home care=== | ===Home care=== | ||
Apply cold compresses and use pain relievers ( analgesics) as your health care provider recommends if swollen breasts are also | *Apply cold compresses and use pain relievers ( analgesics) as your health care provider recommends if swollen breasts are also painful. | ||
Other tips include: | Other tips include: | ||
*Stop taking all recreational drugs, such as marijuana | |||
Stop taking all recreational drugs, such as marijuana | *Stop taking all nutritional supplements or any drugs you are taking for bodybuilding | ||
Stop taking all nutritional supplements or any drugs you are taking for bodybuilding | |||
===What to expect from your Office visit?=== | ===What to expect from your Office visit?=== | ||
Your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. | *Your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. | ||
*Medical history questions may include: | |||
**Is one or both breasts involved? | |||
**What is the age and gender of the patient? | |||
**What medications is the person taking? | |||
**How long has gynecomastia been present? | |||
**Is the gynecomastia staying the same, getting better, or getting worse? | |||
**What other symptoms are present? | |||
*Testing may not be necessary, but the following tests may be done to rule out certain diseases: | |||
**Blood hormone level tests | |||
**Breast ultrasound | |||
**Liver and kidney function studies | |||
**Mammogram | |||
Testing may not be necessary, but the following tests may be done to rule out certain diseases: | |||
Blood hormone level tests | |||
Breast ultrasound | |||
Liver and kidney function studies | |||
Mammogram | |||
===Intervention=== | ===Intervention=== | ||
If an underlying condition is found, it is treated. Your physician should consider all medications that may be causing the problem. Gynecomastia during puberty usually goes away on its own. | *If an underlying condition is found, it is treated. Your physician should consider all medications that may be causing the problem. Gynecomastia during puberty usually goes away on its own. | ||
*Breast enlargement that is extreme, uneven, or does not go away may be embarrassing for an adolescent boy. Treatments that may be used in rare situations are: | |||
Breast enlargement that is extreme, uneven, or does not go away may be embarrassing for an adolescent boy. Treatments that may be used in rare situations are: | *Hormone treatments that block the effects of estrogens. | ||
*Breast size reducing surgery. | |||
Hormone | |||
Breast | |||
==Sources== | ==Sources== | ||
Revision as of 20:15, 17 August 2017
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(Gynecomastia) |
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(Gynecomastia) On the Web |
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For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Husnain Shaukat, M.D; Aarti Narayan, M.B.B.S [2]
Overview
What are the symptoms of Gynecomastia?
- Breast enlargement
- Breast pain
What causes Gynecomastia?
- All men have both androgens and estrogens in fix levels. Androgens are hormones that create male characteristics, such as hair growth, muscle size, and a deep voice. Estrogens are hormones that create female characteristics.
- Changes in the levels of these hormones, or in how the body uses or responds to these hormones can cause enlarged breasts in men.
Common causes include
- Infancy
- Puberty
- Aging
- Chronic liver disease
- Exposure to anabolic steroid hormones
- Exposure to estrogen hormone
- Kidney failure and dialysis
- Lack (deficiency) of testosterone (male hormone)
- Marijuana use
- Hormone treatment for prostate cancer
- Radiation treatment of the testicles
- Side effects of some medications (ketoconazole, spironolactone, metronidazole, cimetidine.)
- Overactive thyroid
Rare causes include
- Genetic defects
- Tumors
Signs that may suggest breast cancer include
- One-sided breast growth
- Firm or hard breast lump that feels like it is attached to the tissue
- Skin sore over the breast
- Bloody discharge from the nipple
When to seek medical care?
- Call your health care provider if:
- You have recent swelling, pain, or enlargement in one or both breasts.
- There is dark or bloody discharge from the nipples.
- There is a skin sore or ulcer over the breast.
- A breast lump feels hard or firm.
Note: Gynecomastia in children who have not yet reached puberty should always be checked by a health care provider.
Treatment options
Home care
- Apply cold compresses and use pain relievers ( analgesics) as your health care provider recommends if swollen breasts are also painful.
Other tips include:
- Stop taking all recreational drugs, such as marijuana
- Stop taking all nutritional supplements or any drugs you are taking for bodybuilding
What to expect from your Office visit?
- Your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination.
- Medical history questions may include:
- Is one or both breasts involved?
- What is the age and gender of the patient?
- What medications is the person taking?
- How long has gynecomastia been present?
- Is the gynecomastia staying the same, getting better, or getting worse?
- What other symptoms are present?
- Testing may not be necessary, but the following tests may be done to rule out certain diseases:
- Blood hormone level tests
- Breast ultrasound
- Liver and kidney function studies
- Mammogram
Intervention
- If an underlying condition is found, it is treated. Your physician should consider all medications that may be causing the problem. Gynecomastia during puberty usually goes away on its own.
- Breast enlargement that is extreme, uneven, or does not go away may be embarrassing for an adolescent boy. Treatments that may be used in rare situations are:
- Hormone treatments that block the effects of estrogens.
- Breast size reducing surgery.