{"id":2774,"date":"2019-01-17T06:09:57","date_gmt":"2019-01-17T06:09:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/?p=2774"},"modified":"2021-05-24T17:51:21","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T17:51:21","slug":"8-gynecomastia-signs-men-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/simplyhealth.today\/8-gynecomastia-signs-men-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"8 Gynecomastia Signs Men Need to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Gynecomastia is an unsightly and embarrassing condition for men. The development of \u201cman-boobs,\u201d is every young man\u2019s worst nightmare and severely affects their self-image, degrading self-confidence. Gynecomastia affects a man\u2019s quality of life and prevents them from taking off their shirt at the pool or on the beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The development of gynecomastia has numerous contributing factors. Elevated estrogen production and a lack of the male hormone, testosterone, increases the likelihood of an individual developing the condition. Drug use, misuse, and abuse play a role, along with a lack of adequate nutrition and the consumption of soy food products, as contributing factors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, gynecomastia doesn\u2019t turn up overnight. The condition \u201cgrows\u201d over time, and while it\u2019s not noticeable in the early stages, there are a few early warning signs to pay attention to before the situation gets out of control. Here are eight signs of gynecomastia men need to know. If you think you\u2019re developing the condition, speak to your doctor about treatment.
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1.    Soft Lumps in Breast Tissue<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There are two types of gynecomastia <\/a>\u2013 \u201ctrue gynecomastia,\u201d and \u201cpseudo-gynecomastia.\u201d Individuals experiencing the onset of \u201cTrue gynecomastia,\u201d notice a growth in the fatty, glandular tissue around the lower portion of the breast behind the nipple. People with \u201cpseudo-gynecomastia,\u201d experience a growth in the fatty tissue around the same area and towards the side of the pectoral muscle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feel your lower chest area for signs of lumps and bumps. The mammary glands swell due to aromatizing estrogen, producing a hard ball of tissue behind or below the nipple. If you notice this phenomenon, call a doctor and arrange a consultation. Your physician will analyze your blood work to determine your hormone levels, and issue treatment based on the results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s common for teenage boys going through puberty to develop \u201cbreast-buds\u201d behind the nipples, giving them a swollen appearance. This condition is a standard bodily response to fluctuating levels of estrogen and testosterone, and you can expect the gynecomastia to disappear after 6 to 24-months.
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2.    Tender Breasts and Nipples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As discussed, gynecomastia occurs primarily due to a hormone imbalance<\/a>. Estrogen aromatizes in the body via the liver. When circulating estrogen levels are more significant than the livers capacity to aromatize, gynecomastia forms as a result.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll be able to notice the rise in estrogenic and aromatase activity, as the imbalance creates sensitivity around the nipples and lower chest. The pressure from touching the nipple may result in discomfort or slight pain. It\u2019s important not to disturb the gynecomastia, as irritating the mammary gland may lead to faster tissue growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gynecomastia can develop in one or both breasts, with varying degrees of swelling and tissue growth. It\u2019s common for teenage boys experiencing the onset of \u201cbreast-buds,\u201d to feel intense irritation and pain. However, the condition subsides in around 6 to 18-months and is nothing to be concerned with at this stage of development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you discover any severe pain or discomfort while examining your nipples or breast, arrange an appointment with your physician immediately for a diagnosis.
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3.    Mass Behind the Nipple<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPseudo-gynecomastia,\u201d occurs due to a buildup of fatty tissue <\/a>in the chest. If your breast feels or looks enlarged, but there\u2019s no sign of lumps behind or around the nipple, you may be suffering from this condition. Pseudo-gynecomastia typically goes away with weight-loss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, \u201ctrue-gynecomastia,\u201d develops tissue growth in the mammary glands found behind the nipple. This tissue does not stop growing with a weight-loss diet. It\u2019s a symptom of a hormonal imbalance that requires medical treatment to solve the condition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Conduct a self-examination of your breasts to check for gynecomastia. Touch the area around your lower chest and look for signs of hard lumps. Press down on your nipples, and if you notice a hard mass, it may be gynecomastia. These tissue lumps require treatment with drugs to rebalance the hormone system, or surgical removal if drug therapy fails. Changes to diet or lifestyle may not result in the reduction of mammary tissue.
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4.    Swollen Nipples<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One of the first signs of gynecomastia \u2013 is swollen and puffy nipples. As estrogen begins to take control of your hormone profile, it increases the amount of aromatizing molecules around the mammary glands<\/a>. As a result, the nipples start to swell and take on a puffy appearance, as if filled with fluid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Initially, glandular tissue growth confines itself to the area behind the nipple. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, as the condition progresses, it\u2019s common for the abnormal growth to extend to the area outside of the aureole as well. This tissue growth gives the nipple a \u201cdome-shape.\u201d In rare cases, such as steroid-induced gynecomastia, the nipples may enlarge as well. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Puffy nipples begin to subside after restoring hormone balance in the body. In teenagers, the condition will fade after a few months and return the nipple and aureole to their normal shape and size. Middle-aged men lack the protein synthesis capability of teenagers. Therefore, it may take longer for the symptoms to subside.
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5.    Lactating Breasts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pituitary gland<\/a> produces a wide range of hormones, including prolactin. Prolactin regulates lactation in females, but males also have small amounts of the hormone as well. Men with a pituitary tumor, known as prolactinoma, produce high amounts of estrogen and prolactin. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

As a result of this hormone imbalance, affected men start to see the growth of mammary tissue, as well as experience lactation from the nipple. In most cases, the lactation is milky, but in some cases it contains blood. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Men experiencing lactation and gynecomastia must undergo an MRI to determine if there is a tumor pressing down on areas of the pituitary gland, resulting in underproduction of testosterone and overproduction of estrogen and prolactin. However, sometimes an MRI scan may come up with no signs of a tumor because the tumor is too small to register on the scan. In such a case, drug therapy may reduce the size of tumors and prevent lactation.
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6.    Confusing Fat with Gynecomastia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPseudo-gynecomastia,\u201d is a condition where adipose tissue builds around the chest area. This type is different from \u201ctrue-gynecomastia,\u201d in the sense that it does not come from the growth of mammary gland tissue. Nevertheless, it\u2019s still an embarrassing condition that requires treatment through lifestyle <\/a>changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Typically, men suffering from pseudo-gynecomastia are obese or overweight. Changes to diet and a reduction in calorie intake reduces body weight and gynecomastia. Review your eating habits and structure a diet plan that meets your daily nutrition requirements. Avoid all sources of soy which may exacerbate your gynecomastia. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you struggle with designing meal plans, speak to a professional nutritionist for advice. A nutritionist specializes in planning your fat loss and monitoring your progress to your goal weight. As you lose adipose tissue, you\u2019ll start to notice a reduction in pseudo-gynecomastia. By the time your return to healthy body weight, your chest will look normal.
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7.    Gynecomastia in One Side Only<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gynecomastia can affect one or both sides of the chest. Typically, most men experiencing the onset of \u201cpseudo-gynecomastia,\u201d notice a change in breast tissue on both sides of the chest, due to the body\u2019s natural dispersion of adipose tissue <\/a>throughout the body. Most men are predisposed to accumulate body fat around the waist and the glutes. However, in rare cases, some men may experience growth in adipose tissue stores around the chest before any other area of the body.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cases of true-gynecomastia are far different, and it\u2019s typical for men experiencing this condition to see one side of their chest affected more than the other. The undistributed growth of mammary tissue may lead to one side of the chest taking on a \u201cdrooping\u201d posture, while the other looks normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gynecomastia affects individuals differently, and no standard stipulates what you can expect from developing the condition. Speak to a medical professional about treatment.
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8.    Speak to Your Doctor<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Gynecomastia is not a life-threatening disease, but it can take its toll on the mental health <\/a>of affected men. It\u2019s a treatable condition that you can reverse with the right medical assistance. If you\u2019re dealing with the symptoms of gynecomastia, arrange a consultation with your doctor for advice on treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPseudo-gynecomastia\u201d requires adjustments to diet and exercise, but true-gynecomastia needs drug therapy or surgery to remove or reduce the fatty tissue buildup in the swollen glands. Your doctor will be able to analyze your condition, determine which type of gynecomastia you\u2019re dealing with, and recommend a course of treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Most cases of pseudo-gynecomastia or gynecomastia in teens clear up in a few years. However, true-gynecomastia won\u2019t go away by itself. If drug therapy fails, surgeons make a small incision around the nipple and pull out the fatty tissue, along with the mammary gland itself, resulting in a permanent solution to your gynecomastia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\r\n

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