What causes gynecomastia?
We already said before that high female to male hormone ratios cause gynecomastia. Let’s examine some possible causes of this hormonal imbalance:
Medications - There are many medications that can possibly cause gynecomastia. Some act directly on the breast tissue while others increase the production of prolactin. Some medicines, for example, the ones used to treat prostate cancer can also lead to gynecomastia. These are anti-androgen drugs. Some medicines increase estrogen, or allow estrogen to work more efficiently. Anti-psychotics and also certain blood pressure medications can cause gynecomastia. Remember that people’s body’s are different and respond to medications differently. If you personally don’t notice any gynecomastia from the medicine you are taking, regardless of whether or not it is “supposed” to cause gynecomastia, you probably don’t need to worry. If you do, talk to your doctor.
Idiopathic -This just means that it is a sort of random cause. There probably is a reason, but they don’t know. Since gynecomastia isn’t life threatening, it hasn’t received the research funding. Genetics can certainly play a huge role in the development of gynecomastia.
Abuse of anabolic steroids - This is a big one. One of the major drawbacks to taking anabolic steroids, is that many of them can aromitise into estrogen. A lot of times when a body builder is on a steroid cycle, there body is changing so much they don’t even notice they are starting to develop female like breast tissue under all that muscle. Then, after it’s too late, they notice. You don’t have to take anabolic steroids for a long time either to develop gynecomastia. Some people start to get it after just one cycle. Be very careful! Certain steroids cause it more than others. Also, some people take anti-estrogen medicine along with their steroid cycle to negate some of the female like breast development.
Diseases - Certain tumors, eg some testicular tumors, can lead to a rise in estrogen. Hyperthyroidism can also lead to increased estrogen levels. Cirrhosis of the liver can also lead to gynecomastia. Decreased testosterone production can also lead to gynecomastia. Klinefelter’s syndrome, for example, leads to lower testosterone output.
Puberty - The hormonal changes in puberty can lead to gynecomastia. This is often temporary and will go away after puberty.
Obesity - Obesity often leads to greater estrogen production. Losing weight will also lower your estrogen levels.
Some people say that marijuana can also cause this. The key is to pay attention to your own body. If you are starting to develop gynecomastia, go see your doctor immediately. If he brushes you aside, go see someone else. Not all doctors are experts in this. In fact, most are not.