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Q. My wife thinks I have gynecomastia. I may; I do have man boobs, but it could be from being overweight.If I do have gynecomastia, I guess it could be from some of the medications I take and/or the weight. I realize the only way to be positive is a doctor's exam. I have one scheduled in about two months. Is there anything I can do to test myself and get an idea if I might or might not have gynecomastia?
A. Gynecomastia is the medical term for enlarged male breasts. Some adolescents develop this condition temporarily, but they usually outgrow it within a few years.
Weight can be a contributing factor. So can many medications. Some examples include cimetidine (Tagamet), eszopiclone (Lunesta), leuprolide (Lupron), spironolactone (Aldactone) and finasteride (Proscar).
This condition requires medical diagnosis. Although there is no test you can do yourself for gynecomastia, your doctor will check your hormone levels and rule out various tumors. If a medication is responsible, it may be possible for your doctor to prescribe an alternative less likely to trigger breast enlargement.
I heard a radio show on NPR about a month ago (the infinite mind I think) that suggested excessive exposure to lavender oils can create increased female hormone levels in men. Lavender is a very common scent in tons of bathing products whether you notice the smell or not. The show concentrated on the effects in boys and young men, but perhaps you might check your soaps anyway.