It
can be a fascinating time in a guy's life, what with all the changes going on.
In fact, it looks as if every day something on your body grows bigger or hair
begins sprouting somewhere. Each day brings a brand new alter or, & it can
sometimes feel like it is hard to keep up.
It
doesn't happen to every man, but of these changes can be the development of
breast tissue. It is called gynecomastia(pronounced: guy-nuh-ko-MAS-tee-uh)
& it is normal & always
temporary. So how exactly does a man happen to create breast tissue?
What Is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia
is a condition in which breast tissue forms in guys, usually due to normal
hormonal changes in the coursework of puberty. Hormones are chemicals produced
by your body's glands. In a man, hormones produced in the testicles are responsible
for the physical changes that start to happen in the coursework of puberty facial
hair, muscle development, a deepening of the voice, & the lengthening of
the penis, for example. Guys & girls produce both androgens (hormones that
help create & maintain male characteristics) andestrogen (a hormone that is
responsible for most female characteristics).
Guys
have mostly androgens in their systems, but they also have small amounts of
estrogen. In girls, breast growth is caused by high levels of estrogen.
Normally, when going through puberty, a guy's production of androgens increases
significantly, whereas estrogen production remains low.
However,
sometimes guys produce estrogen in the coursework of puberty that some breast
tissue develops. Breast tissue growth in guys can appear on or both sides of
the chest, & the breast area can feel tender. This does not insinuate you
are turning in to a girl or anything. It is a minor alter in your hormones as
you start to grow in to adulthood.
How Common Is It?
It
is estimated that about half of all males going through puberty experience some
degree of gynecomastia in or both breasts. Gynecomastia is always a temporary condition, & it is
unusual for the breasts to stay developed they will finally flatten out within
a few months to a couple of years. It usually goes away by itself & no
medical treatment or surgical procedure is necessary.
Although
it is a temporary alter for most teenagers, some guys with gynecomastia feel
embarrassed or self-conscious about their appearance. Plenty of guys find that
wearing loose-fitting shirts helps make the condition less noticeable until the
breast tissue shrinks over time. Surgical removal of the breast tissue is an
option in some cases. If a man finds his gynecomastia is bothering him, they
can talk to a doctor about it.
Although
the most common cause of gynecomastia is puberty, it can sometimes be caused by
definite diseases or side effects of some medications. Using illegal drugs such
as anabolic steroids, marijuana, or heroin can also disrupt hormonal balance
& lead to gynecomastia.
There
is also something called pseudogynecomastia (or false gynecomastia). This has
nothing to do with puberty or hormones. It is basically due to the fact that
some guys have additional overweight in the chest area, making it look like
they have breasts. A doctor's examination can tell whether a man has
gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia.
If
you are concerned or have any questions about gynecomastia, talk to your
doctor. Keep in mind that temporary breast tissue growth in guys is a common
part of puberty that will usually go away by itself.