Checking for Gynecomastia
Weigh yourself to see if that may explain an increase in breast tissue. It’s normal to gain fat in your chest if you gain weight, but this is not the same as gynecomastia. True gynecomastia is unrelated to weight gain and it affects only the breast tissue, which swells and begins to resemble female breasts. This condition is not dangerous, but it may be frustrating and uncomfortable. A 5–10 lb (2.3–4.5 kg) gain probably won’t make much of a difference in your physique, but a significant gain, such as 30 lb (14 kg) or greater, can make a big difference. Breast growth may occur when you age due to androgen in your body converting to estrogen. Abnormal liver functions or drug therapy can also contribute to breast tissue growth. Breast tissue growth may occur more commonly if you’re obese since androgen converts to estrogen faster in fat tissue.
Pay attention to any unusual sensations, such as tenderness or burning. Some people experience tenderness and a burning sensation along with an increase in breast tissue. You may notice the sensations more when you are bathing or getting dressed, or when you lie down in certain positions, such as on your stomach or side. Be sure to tell your doctor about these symptoms if you have them. Breast tissue growth and tenderness are common in adolescent men as they go through puberty.
Consider whether you have a history of substance abuse. Drinking alcohol in excess or using drugs, such as marijuana, amphetamines, heroin, and methadone, can increase your risk of gynecomastia due to liver damage. If you have a history of using substances or if you are currently using drugs or consuming alcohol in excess, talk with your doctor. They can provide you with resources to help you quit. Try saying something like, “I’ve been having 6 or more drinks daily as a way to relieve stress and I am worried that may be causing my gynecomastia, but I find it hard to go without drinking.” Or you might simply say, “I’m addicted to amphetamines and I need help to quit.”
Check to see if your skincare products contain lavender or tea tree oils. Using skincare products that contain lavender or tea tree oils has been shown to promote tissue growth in men and adolescent boys. Read the labels on any skincare products you use, such as soaps, lotions, and shampoo, to see if they contain these ingredients. If they do, you may want to switch to something that does not include these ingredients. Opt for unscented products or try products that use other types of scented oils, such as sandalwood, mint, and sage.Tip: Gynecomastia often clears up on its own, so your doctor may advise a wait and watch approach to avoid unnecessary interventions. However, there are other ways to treat gynecomastia, such as medications and surgery, if it does not go away on its own.
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you suspect gynecomastia. It’s important to get a diagnosis for gynecomastia from a doctor. You’ll need to have a physical exam and answer some questions about your health history, medications, and lifestyle. Speak honestly and openly with your doctor in order to get an accurate diagnosis. Try saying something like, “I’ve noticed an increase in breast tissue in my chest even though I haven’t gained any weight. I’m wondering if it could be gynecomastia and what might be causing it.” Don’t be embarrassed to tell your doctor that you suspect gynecomastia. It’s a very common condition and your doctor has likely treated many patients before you who have had it.
Tell your doctor about any medical conditions or prescription medications. Taking certain prescription medications increases your risk of gynecomastia, as does having certain medical conditions. Share a full health history with your doctor along with a list of any medications you take. Some things that may increase your risk of gynecomastia include: Taking anti-androgens, anabolic steroids, AIDS medications, anti-anxiety medications, tricyclic antidepressants, antibiotics, ulcer medications, chemotherapy, heart medications, and gastric motility medications Using hormones, such as androstenedione or testosterone Normal changes in hormone levels associated with puberty Being between the ages of 50 and 69 Certain conditions, such as hyperthyroidism, kidney disease, liver disease, hypogonadism, tumors, and malnutrition
Get tests to determine the cause of your gynecomastia. Since certain medical conditions may cause gynecomastia, your doctor may need to determine the cause. However, gynecomastia that is related to hormonal changes with your age should resolve on their own within 2 years. Some tests your doctor may run to identify other causes of gynecomastia include: Blood test Mammogram Breast ultrasound Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) Computerized tomography (CT) scan Testicular ultrasound Tissue biopsy Thyroid and liver function tests
Identifying Breast Cancer
Perform a breast self-exam and see your doctor if you find any lumps. Use your fingertips to palpate your breast tissue for lumps. Check all over your chest and under your armpits. If you find a lump, don’t panic. Make an appointment to see your doctor so they can perform a manual exam of your breast tissue as well. Make sure to check the breast tissue under the nipples for lumps. This is a common area where lumps can develop in men. You can also ask your doctor to look at the enlarged area for you if you don’t want to do a breast self-exam.Tip: Pain is not usually a sign of breast cancer in men or women. Tell your doctor if you’re experiencing pain in part of your breast tissue since this may indicate another problem.
Get a mammogram or ultrasound if your doctor recommends it. If you detect a lump, your doctor may order a mammogram (breast X-ray) or ultrasound to get images of it. This can help your doctor to determine if what you’ve detected is a benign lump, such as fluid-filled cyst, or if it may be cancerous. Keep in mind that even if your doctor orders a mammogram or ultrasound, this does not mean the lump is cancer. It’s just necessary to get images of the lump.
Undergo a biopsy to test a sample of a suspicious mass. A biopsy is a surgical procedure in which a surgeon removes a small sample of cells from the suspicious mass. The sample is then tested in a laboratory. This is the only way that your doctor can definitively diagnose breast cancer. The sample can also give your doctor other information that may aid your treatment if it is cancer, such as the grade of cancer, the type of cells, and whether or not the cells have hormone receptors.
Check your risk factors to see if cancer is likely. Your doctor will likely ask you about your medical history to determine if you are at a higher risk of developing breast cancer. Some things that may put you at a higher risk of developing breast cancer include: Advancing age Family history of breast cancer Obesity Infertility Advancing age Jewish ancestry Klinefelter’s syndrome Prostate cancer treatment Alcohol abuse Radiation exposure Testicular abnormalities
Spotting Signs of Mastitis
Consider if you’ve had any injuries to your breast tissue or gotten a nipple piercing. Mastitis is an infection of the breast tissue, which is most common in breastfeeding women. However, a man may develop mastitis after trauma to the breast tissue, such as from getting a cut or nipple piercing. Look at your chest to check for cuts. If you’ve recently had a nipple piercing, check to see if there are signs of redness, warmth, drainage, or pain at the site of the piercing. Smoking can also be a risk factor for mastitis.
Watch for signs of an infection in the breast tissue. Mastitis causes the classic signs of infection in the breast tissue, so be on the lookout for these. Common signs to watch for include: Redness Warmth Swelling Pain Fever
Note if you feel generally unwell. You may also notice that you feel generally unwell if you have mastitis, similar to how you might feel when you have a cold or the flu. Be sure to tell your doctor if you notice that you haven’t been feeling how you normally do. For example, you might feel tired, run-down, or easily fatigued.
See your doctor to get a prescription for antibiotics. Mastitis usually clears up after a course of antibiotics, but you will need to see your doctor to get a prescription. If they suspect mastitis, they will likely prescribe antibiotics and watch to see if the infection clears up within 1 to 2 weeks. Take the antibiotics exactly as directed and do not stop taking them even if you start to feel better. This can cause the infection to return or lead to antibiotic resistance, which can make it harder to treat an infection in the future.Tip: If the infection does not clear up after completing a course of antibiotics, you may need additional tests to determine what is causing your symptoms. Your doctor may order an imaging test, such as a mammogram (breast X-ray) or ultrasound.
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