Bilateral Gynecomastia

To find out what bilateral gynecomastia is, it is useful to dissect the meaning of these two words. “Bilateral” means having two sides, while “gynecomastia” is defined as the enlargement of the breasts in a male person. If we combine these two terms, we will come up with the enlargement of the breasts in both sides of the chest in a male person. There are several causes of this condition but it is primarily due to hormonal imbalance between estrogen and androgen in men. The condition is not always noticeable because the breasts are not usually exposed or touched. It is commonly associated with breast tenderness, and sometimes milk secretion also accompanies it.

Before getting deeper into the topic let us first understand breast growth and development. These are some hormones which contribute to the growth of the breast. Hormones are substances that regulate certain functions in our body. Corticosteroids, estrogen, and growth hormone facilitate ductal growth, while prolactin along with progesterone allows growth of alveolar lobules.

Although the exact mechanism of how this condition occurs is not yet fully understood, some explanations put forth that gynecomastia results from estrogen imbalance and the effects of certain drugs. There is also what is called “physiologic gynecomastia,” which occurs normally in neonatal (newborn), pubertal (adolescent), and geriatric (elderly) men due to fluctuations in their hormonal levels.

How do we know that we have bilateral gynecomastia? The best way to know that a person has this condition is for him to consult a doctor and have examinations done. History taking and physical checkup are needed for the doctor to confirm if you have bilateral gynecomastia. The doctor will need to know when you first noticed the breast enlargement and how old you were at that time. He will also ask if there have been any changes since then, such as did the breasts become larger, smaller, or did they stay the same? Then he will ask if you noticed any discharge, and if there is tenderness felt on the breast area. Afterwards he will ask about your drug or medication intake, including the use of street drugs, over-the-counter prescriptions and herbal supplements.

A physical examination will be done which will focus on the breast, testicles, and penis. While the doctor is examining the breast he will note for dimpling, abnormal pigmentation, asymmetry, or ulceration. The doctor will also check the testicles for asymmetry and size. Then he will examine the penis and observe for any signs of hypospadias. Other diagnostic examinations may also be done to further diagnose the condition; these could include blood tests, X-rays, CT-scans, MRIs, ultrasounds and, in some cases, even biopsies.

Once a man is diagnosed with this condition, there are several treatments possible. These treatments include medications, surgical interventions, and liposuction of excess fatty tissues in order to remove them. Prevention of having bilateral gynecomastia is possible if the person would avoid using anabolic steroids and recreational drugs such as marijuana.