Discover Possible Reasons Why You Have Moobs!
This article will introduce you to the main male gynecomastia causes. By reading it you will have a general understanding about what causes gynecomastia.
In other words, you will discover why you may be suffering from moobs. Which is essential when you want to get rid of this condition completely.
Obesity And Lack Of Exercise Can Cause Gynecomastia & Moobs
Increased cases of obesity are partly to blame for male gynecomastia causes. This is because improper diet and lack of exercising can lead to the excessive build up of chest fat and pseudo-gynecomastia.
However, being overweight and failing to exercise are not the only causes of gynecomastia in this case. Studies suggest that obese men also tend to have lower testosterone levels.
As mentioned in article what is gynecomastia, lower testosterone levels also contribute towards the development of man boobs.
Hormonal Changes Can Cause Gynecomastia
Hormonal changes are known to cause the growth of breast tissue, rather than fat.
Though normally in small quantities, men also produce a certain levels of estrogen. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for controlling female traits such as the growth of breasts.
However, too high levels of estrogen tend to be out of balance with testosterone hormone levels, and can thus cause gynecomastia (male breast enlargement).
Up to a third of pubescent boys will experience some breast development before their testosterone levels increase. In majority of cases, this swollen breast tissue will recede without treatment within six months or 2-3 years.
Since testosterone levels begin to fall once you become senior, approximately half of men over 70 years will experience moobs.
Infants get gynecomastia because of the transfer of estrogen from their mother, although this swollen breast tissue recedes within 2-3 weeks after birth.
Certain Medications Cause Gynecomastia
There are certain prescribed medications that can affect hormonal balance, therefore indirectly causing this condition. These include certain:
- Anti-androgens used to treat prostate enlargement or cancer such as flutamide, cyproterone, finasteride and spironolactone.
- AIDS medications such as the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and Efavirenz.
- Heart medications such as digitalis and calcium channel blockers.
- Anti-anxiety medications such as diazepam (Valium).
- Tricyclic antidepressants.
- Antibiotics.
- Ulcer medications such as cimetidine.
- Cancer treatment (chemotherapy).
Steroids, Drugs and Alcohol Consumption Can Result In Gynecomastia
Anabolic steroids are known to cause the excess male hormones in the blood to be converted into estrogen.
Excessive marijuana use can lower the levels of testosterone in your body. Same goes for alchocol. Overconsumption of alcohol can permanently decrease your testosterone levels.
Needless to say how increased levels of estrogen hormone in your body (or decreased testosterone) can result in Gynecomastia and increased male breasts.
Genetics As The Gynecomastia Cause
In rare case, gynecomastia causes can be attributed to a genetic problem known as Klinefelter’s syndrome. In this case, pubescent boys fail to produce enough testosterone, which leads to growth of breast tissue.
Klinefelter’s syndrome (also referred to as 47, XXY, or XXY syndrome) is a condition in which human males have an extra X chromosome.
Other symptoms of this condition include small genitals, little facial or pubic hair, low sex drive as well as fertility problems in adults.
Health Issues & Diseases as The Reason For Moobs
Gynecomastia is rarely caused by a chronic condition or serious illness. In certain rare cases, this may be attributed to an overactive thyroid, liver or kidney disease, or breast cancer.
The following health conditions can cause gynecomastia by affecting the normal balance of hormones in your body:
- Hypogonadism. Any conditions that interfere with normal testosterone production, such as Klinefelter syndrome or pituitary insufficiency.
- Aging. Hormonal changes that occur with normal aging especially in overweight men.
- Tumors. Certain tumors, such as those affecting the testes, adrenal glands or pituitary gland.
- Hyperthyroidism. A condition in which the thyroid gland produces too much of the hormone thyroxine.
- Kidney failure.
- Liver failure and cirrhosis.
- Malnutrition and starvation.
However, new researches and studies need to be carried out as scientists and experts still do not know exactly what contributes to hormonal imbalances, responsible for development of gynecomastia in males. Unfortunately the medicine of today is trying to cure the symptoms, not causes.
In approximately 25% of cases, the exact cause of gynecomastia is never determined. Chances are you will never know exactly what caused your male breasts to turn into moobs.