Source: DOCTORSHUB NIGERIA


A few days ago I was perusing the internet for news making the headlines. While at it, my eyes caught a headline about a man who grew breasts, like a woman's, because a lady he promised marriage but later refused used some black magic (juju) on him, hence his sudden growth of such firm, pointed boobs. It was indeed a hilarious story to read- but even as I read the details of the strange and disturbing story, the doctor in me was screaming "gynaecomastia" so much that I had to let go the diabolical dimension to which the narrators ascribed to the story.


When eventually my medical mind took control of me completely, I realized, upon careful reflection, that the incidence of gynaecomastia (yes, that is the medical terminology for it) is on the rise. In the last year or so I have seen about 4 people with very severe forms of it. And really, it is a medical problem just like diabetes, hypertension or kidney disease. But because of our mystical allusions to anything we don't understand, black Africans have demonized this ailment.


But wait.....


....what exactly causes it?


It is caused by an imbalance in oestrogen and testosterone hotmones. Usually, males have more testosterone than oestrogen (which is higher in females). Anything that can upset this arrangement or cause the oestrogens to rise above the testosterone will result in gynaecomastia. Very common causes include liver disease, kidney failure, hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism, pituitary adenoma (a type of brain tumor) and medications- antidepressants, anabolic steroids, anticancer drugs, digoxin, ulcer drugs, street drugs like marijuana, amphetamine, heroine and a host of other drugs.


Now that you know it is in fact a medical condition, allow me to tell you 6 important facts you must know about the disease,


#1. IT OCCURS IN MEN OF ALL AGES:
The prevalence of gynaecomastia does not spare any age group (from infants to the elderly). Now, even though it affects all men, it is more common among male infants, teenage boys and adults between the ages of 26 and 65. When present in infants and teenage boys, the enlargement naturally resolves on its own as the infant or boy grows older.


#2. IT IS A VERY TREATABLE CONDITION:
Gynecomastia is a very treatable condition. Usually, it resolves on its own with time. However, when the enlargement is severe and tender, medications like tamoxifen can be given to block the effect of oestrogen. Also, mastectomy (surgical removal of the breast(s) can be done, especially when it is causing the boy or man serious embarrassment and psychological trauma.


#3. IT IS NOT A CANCER:
Most times when men notice this enlargement they panic and start worrying for fear of breast cancer. Even though a lot people have associated it with breast cancer, it is not a cancer and does not later morph into a cancer. It is a completely benign condition. On its own, it does not cause any physical or bodily harm. Although, there instances when it is symptomatic of an underlying disease like liver disease, kidney disease, a type of brain tumor (pituitary adenoma) or a side effect of some drugs (antidepressants, marijuana, anabolic steroids, etc.). At such instances, treating the gynaecomastia alone without treating the cause of it would likely cause a regrowth of the breast.


#4. IT CAN AFFECT ONE OR BOTH BREASTS:
Most of the cases of gynaecomastia that have made the news, especially on socila media, were cases where the man's two breasts were invloved (called bilateral gynaecomastia). Although it may seem quite weird, it can also affect just one breast while sparing the other one.


#5. IT USUALLY DOES NOT DISCHARGE MILK:
Contrary to popular beliefs that the enlarged boobs do secrete milk, the enlarged breasts usually don't discharge milk except when the gynecomastia is caused by a tumor in the brain, pituitary adenoma, which secretes large amounts of the milk-producing hormone prolactin.


#6. IT IS MORE COMMON THAN YOU THINK:
Gynaecomastia is the commonest benign tumor of the male breast. About 60-90% of infants experience it, 70% prevalence in men aged 50-69 while 50-60% of adolescents experience it. Although, because it is usually not very severe, people often disregard it, and even when the enlargement is a bit significant, men, especially adolescent boys, are too embarrassed to expose their chests or freely disclose it.


NB: in most cases, the enlargment is self-limiting i.e it goes in its own. And because it rarely causes any physical deformity or harm (apart from the scar after surgery), people don't come to the doctor complaining of pain or inability to sleep or any other incapacitating symptom. The crux of it all is psychological trauma- most boys and men are ridiculed and become the target of attack by jesters. A lot of low and battered self-esteem issues arise ftom. So most times, one would see that it is psychotherapy that is often the most needed treatment in these boys and men.


You may also like to read, "10 MEDICAL TESTS EVERY COUPLE MUST DO BEFORE MARRIAGE". Click on this link to read: http://doctorshub.com.ng/2017/03/09/10-medical-tests-every-couple-must-do-before-marriage/


Thanks for reading!







http://doctorshub.com.ng/2017/03/10/gynaecomastia-6-facts-every-man-must-know-about-it/

looks funny af!!! Just in case the wife wants to be stingy, the man can simply handle his own breasts.

Chisos!!! Idonbilivit! Photoshop ni

Damnnn! The first boobs tho! I bet most ladies are going to be envious of such full, firm and pointed bokbs! Lol

deeplow:
looks funny af!!! Just in case the wife wants to be stingy, the man can simply handle his own breasts.

Very informative. Engaging strength-training exercises centered around the pecs can also ameliorate the condition. Since weight-training causes a massive production of testosterone which can douse the effects of high-level of oestrogen.
I see so many children and young men these days with sagged chests(boobs). Wanna know why? Their diet and their lack of strength-training exercises as well as their non-active lifestyles.

PRISTINEMUSCLES:
Very informative. Engaging strength-training exercises centered around the pecs can also ameliorate the condition. Since weight-training causes a massive production of testosterone which can douse the effects of high-level of oestrogen.
I see so many children and young men these days with sagged chests(boobs). Wanna know why? Their diet and their lack of strength-training exercises as well as their non-active lifestyles.

You have made an extremely valid point! Thanks for mentioning the link between exercise and testosterone.