gynecomastia-steroidsGynecomastia is one of the dreaded side effects of steroid abuse. In the world of synthetic steroids it’s referred to as ‘bitch tits’, but beyond that imaginative slang term do you know anything else about this condition?

The term gynecomastia comes from the Greek word gyne meaning ‘woman’ and mastos meaning ‘breast.’ In simple terms, gynecomastia is the development of mammary glands in males, resulting in breast enlargement.

Symptoms of this condition include pain the breast area, feminine-looking breasts, swollen nipples, and nipple discharge (it can sometimes cause secretion of milk). There are several potential causes for this disorder, such as aging, puberty and obesity. Gynecomastia is relatively common in adolescent boys, but it usually disappears as adolescence ends. It can also be caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone, and such imbalance can be caused by the excessive intake of anabolic-androgenic steroids. It can also be due to consumption of soy milk as reported by Erie Times News.

An article in the May/June 2008 edition of Endocrine Practices reports a rare case of a 60-year-old man who had bilateral gynecomastia for six months. He reported erectile dysfunction and decreased libido. He underwent many exams, and the results were normal. The patient was re-interviewed and he described a daily intake of three quarts of soy milk. After he stopped drinking soy milk, his breast tenderness resolved and his estradiol (sex hormone) concentration slowly returned to normal.

Gynecomastia can be emotionally affecting to its sufferers as anxiety and shame are experienced by those who have the condition.  Studies indicate, however, that men who have developed the condition later in life, such as those who abuse steroids, may experience little or no psychological distress. The remedy for this condition is usually surgery.


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