Certain medications can promote the growth of the breasts or man boobs. They interact with the natural levels of the hormones testosterone and estrogen and upset the balance in some way. Gynecomastia is a common consequence of estrogen treatment in prostate patients. Medications that can cause gynecomastia include:
- Hormones (androgens, anabolic steroids, estrogen agonists)
- Antiandrogens or inhibitors of androgen synthesis
- Antibiotics (isoniazid, ketoconazole,)
- Anti-ulcer medications such as cimetidine
- Cancer chemotherapeutics, especially alkylating agents.
- Cardiovascular drugs, such as captopril and digitoxin.
- Psychoactive agents, such as diazepam and tricyclic antidepressants
- Recreational drugs, such as alcohol and marijuana.
- penicillamine
Alcohol and drugs can cause gynecomastia by mimicking estrogen and stimulating androgen production. Steroids and other androgens in excess are sometimes converted by the body to estrogens, thus causing man boobs problems.
To reverse breast growth, it is possible to change medications.
Men over the age of 50 tend to produce less androgens, such as testosterone, or accumulate fat tissue that converts androgens to estrogen. In 3 percent of reported cases, gynecomastia may indicate lung, liver, or adrenal cancer. Tumors can secrete estrogen, upsetting the hormonal balance. There have also been studies that have shown that marijuana promotes the growth of tissue in the areola area of the nipple. Many testosterone-enhancing drugs sold to young bodybuilders or young men doing youth athletics cause gynecomastia. Androstene or androstenoid is a great example. It came out in the mid-90s after Mark Mcquire got in trouble for using. Many young athletes, myself included, use the product.