There are a few common causes of man boobs or gynecomastia, which is the correct medical term for breast formation in men. It occurs quite commonly in neonates or young babies and boys at the age of puberty. At these times they are often related to fluctuating levels of hormones circulating within the body and will often correct themselves over time without any need for medications or surgery.
In the post pubescent age group, such as young men and older, the problem may be due to other causes and be more difficult to get rid of. The most common cause, however, is being overweight. It does not necessarily have to be overweight to the point of being obese because it can occur even if you are slightly overweight. The most common reason for this is that some men have more fat cells deposited in the breast area and so it is a common place for any fat to collect.
If you are overweight then, even if you do not have more fat cells deposited here, the fat tissue is actually going to get bigger as it is every where else in the body. If you are overweight, you generally have more fat in the body. This fat tissue makes the female hormone estrogen which, as in women, causes breast development. Therefore, if you have more fat tissue and, therefore, more estrogen in the body this is further going to increase your risk of developing man boobs.
Medication is another common cause of man boobs. It is not just taking estrogen that is going to increase breast development. Many body builders often find, when taking testosterone, they develop man boobs. The reason for this is that some of the testosterone is actually converted to estrogen in the body.
Many body builders who are taking testosterone often take additional medication to counteract its effect. An example of one such drug is the breast cancer treatment drug, tamoxifen. Other, non hormone drugs, however, such as omeprazole, spironolactone and cimetidine can also cause man boobs.
Breast tissue formation can also be due to any number of underlying diseases or conditions. Examples of some include, kidney disease, liver disease and some tumors of the testicles. These conditions cause man boobs by increasing the circulating levels of estrogen like hormones by either increasing their production, or reducing the rate at which they are metabolized. As such, for any men that develop gynecomsatia it is advisable to consult your physician to rule out any causes.
If there is an underlying cause for the gynecomastia then it may go some way into determining the treatment. For many men, however, the cause is unknown or is is due to excess fat from being overweight.
In the post pubescent age group, such as young men and older, the problem may be due to other causes and be more difficult to get rid of. The most common cause, however, is being overweight. It does not necessarily have to be overweight to the point of being obese because it can occur even if you are slightly overweight. The most common reason for this is that some men have more fat cells deposited in the breast area and so it is a common place for any fat to collect.
If you are overweight then, even if you do not have more fat cells deposited here, the fat tissue is actually going to get bigger as it is every where else in the body. If you are overweight, you generally have more fat in the body. This fat tissue makes the female hormone estrogen which, as in women, causes breast development. Therefore, if you have more fat tissue and, therefore, more estrogen in the body this is further going to increase your risk of developing man boobs.
Medication is another common cause of man boobs. It is not just taking estrogen that is going to increase breast development. Many body builders often find, when taking testosterone, they develop man boobs. The reason for this is that some of the testosterone is actually converted to estrogen in the body.
Many body builders who are taking testosterone often take additional medication to counteract its effect. An example of one such drug is the breast cancer treatment drug, tamoxifen. Other, non hormone drugs, however, such as omeprazole, spironolactone and cimetidine can also cause man boobs.
Breast tissue formation can also be due to any number of underlying diseases or conditions. Examples of some include, kidney disease, liver disease and some tumors of the testicles. These conditions cause man boobs by increasing the circulating levels of estrogen like hormones by either increasing their production, or reducing the rate at which they are metabolized. As such, for any men that develop gynecomsatia it is advisable to consult your physician to rule out any causes.
If there is an underlying cause for the gynecomastia then it may go some way into determining the treatment. For many men, however, the cause is unknown or is is due to excess fat from being overweight.
About the Author:
Tyler writes about how to get rid of man boobs and reviews the best way to be rid of those man boobs fast.
