Doctor's Notes on Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is enlargement of mail breast tissue due to enlarged glandular tissue, not due to fat. Gynecomastia is a sign and symptom of a hormonal imbalance.
Although gynecomastia may be caused transiently in the normal development of boys, it usually resolves on its own. Other causes, such as medical conditions or medical treatments, may not resolve spontaneously. Causes associated with gynecomastia development include cirrhosis, malnutrition, chronic kidney failure, disorders of the male sex organs, aging, testicular cancer, hyperthyroidism, and anti-androgen medical treatments. Other associated causes are alcohol use and some drugs of abuse like heroin.
Medications associated with causing gynecomastia include spironolactone, ACE inhibitors, some antibiotics, anti-ulcer drugs, some anti-hypertensive drugs, and HAART (HIV treatment).
Male breast cancer usually causes gynecomastia only in one breast and may include a lump or feeling of hard tissue in the breast; other signs and symptoms may be breast skin changes, nipple discharge, and enlargement of underarm lymph nodes.
What Are the Treatments for Gynecomastia?
Usually, once the underlying problem is diagnosed (see above) and treated, the gynecomastia lessens and requires no additional treatments. However, a consultation with an endocrinologist may be recommended. Surgery is not recommended unless gynecomastia is causing severe pain, tenderness, and/or embarrassment. Counseling may be recommended with some boys and men coping with this problem.
Some doctors may suggest using raloxifene or tamoxifen as off-label medical treatments; again, consultation with an endocrinologist may be recommended before such use.
Low Testosterone (Low T) : Test Your IQ of Men's Conditions Quiz
QuestionTestosterone is a chemical found only in men.
See AnswerMust Read Articles:
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Breast Lumps and Pain
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Chronic Kidney Disease
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Cirrhosis of the Liver
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Hyperthyroidism
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Low Testosterone (Low-T)
Low testosterone (low-T) is a condition that describes below normal levels of the hormone testosterone in males and females. Low-T symptoms in men include erectile dysfunction (ED), decreased libido, and depression. Low-T symptoms in women differ with age. Causes of low-T are primary hypogonadism, secondary hypogonadism, or tertiary low-T. Low-T treatment in males is testosterone therapy. There is no FDA-approved replacement for low testosterone in women. -
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Puberty
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Testicle Infection (Epididymitis)
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Testicular Cancer
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Testicular Cancer Self-Exam
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Testicular Pain (Right, Left Side, and Back Pain)
If you are a male, we don't need to describe what "testicular swelling, discomfort, or pain" feels like to you. And hopefully those around you can sympathetically understand the pain you're in. Medically speaking, testicular or scrotum pain is defined as a discomfort or pain in the testicles or scrotum. The pain can range from mild - to severe and serious as in testicular torsion - which is a surgical emergency.Causes of the pain range from common to less common; examples include trauma, epididymitis (testicle infection), kidney stones, testicular torsion (a surgical emergency), STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), enlarged prostate (BPH), inguinal hernia, orchitis (an inflammatory condition in one or both testicles caused by infections), cancer, kidney stones, abscesses, gangrene infections, vasculitis of the wall of the scrotum (henoch-schonlein purpura, HSP), testicular tumor with infection or hemorrhage, and varicocele. A doctor or other health-care professional can help diagnose the cause of your pain by performing a physical exam and ordering laboratory tests. Treatment of testicular or scrotal pain depends on the cause. In some cases, for example in kidney stones, the pain is resolved once the stones are removed. The prognosis depends upon the cause. -
Testicular Torsion
Testicular torsion is a painful condition caused by the twisting of the spermatic cord, which causes a loss of blood flow to the testicle. It is a surgical emergency that may result in the loss of the testicle. The main cause is an anatomical abnormality called the bell clapper deformity. Symptoms include testicular pain, sudden swelling, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, or fever. Treatment for testicular torsion is surgery.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.