“Can soy product cause your gynecomastia or man boobs?”

There was a special case of gynecomastia or man boobs problem reported in one of the clinical courses. A man was consulted by a doctor in the endocrinology clinic in the assessment of the bilateral gynecomastia of 6 months. He also complained on the erectile dysfunction and the decline of libido. Based on initial test reported no change in the size of the testicles, not criminal trauma of the testicles, sexually transmitted diseases, no headaches, blurred vision, and no change in muscle mass or strength. Laboratory of the initial evaluation showed estrogen and estradiol concentration must be 4 times more than the upper limit of the range of reference. According to the results of the testicles ultrasound, computed tomography of the chest, abdomen and pelvis imaging and positron emission tomography were normal. As a result of the normal outcome of the review of imaging, the patient was again questioned, and he described a daily dose of 3 quarts of soya milk. Following the decision of drinking soy milk, and his boobs tenderness resolved and his estradiol concentration slowly returned to normal.  

An unusual case of gynecomastia associated with soy product consumption.

However, this was a very special case as there is no other research so far able to prove that dietary soy can cause gynecomastia. Below is a research done on the effect of isoflavonoids derived from soy protein on adult male macaques and there was no sign of gynecomastia.

Dietary soy protein containing isoflavonoids does not adversely affect the reproductive tract

Even soy protein formula (SPF) is considered safe for children from any gynecomastia effect, no doubt there is phyto-estrogen in it.

Soy protein formulas in children: no hormonal effects in long-term feeding.

“Gynecomastia is due to estrogen in our food and water?”

Is it true one of the causes of gynecomastia was due to present of estrogen (female hormone) in our food chain and water supply?

Let us talk about our drinking water supply causing gynecomastia first. It is quite common that we recycle our waste water from our home, particularly in the areas where the water is scare. Generally, the water from the treatment plant is safe for consumption but there are some chemical compounds that they do not treat such as estrogen or estrogen mimickers. This estrogen hormone comes from female who take contraceptive pill while estrogen mimickers could be nonylphenols, come from paints, rubber, cosmetics and plastics. Research shows 80 percent of the rivers in US in 30 states contain these hormones. This hormone estrogen is then been picked up by fish in the sea or river which causes fish to change its sex as reported by researchers in Colorado.  Read this interesting article and watch the video too.
Make fish become female?

In another scenario, for three years, Canadian scientists have put birth-control pills into a remote Ontario lake to measure this impact. The results: All male fish in the lake - from tiny tadpoles to large trout - were “feminized,” meaning they had egg proteins growing abnormally in their bodies.
http://www.ourstolenfuture.org/press/2003/2003-0627-KR-estrogenizedfish.htm

Men who consume the water may develop man boobs or gynecomastia later. As Alan Kingdon, M.D., a cosmetic surgeon and medical director of the Cosmetic Surgery Clinic in London said “I’m sure that estrogen in the food cycle must be a factor.”

As for food, quite common we hear about the usage of hormone to boost the production of cattle. This hormone is then passed to humans when they consume the meat and may cause man boobs.

In a January 31, 2008 article, “Toward A Cleaner, More Effective Method For Destroying Hormone-like Pollutants In Wastewater” from the American Chemical Society, researchers have tested a new catalyst called Fe-TAML or Fe-B*. In the presence of hydrogen peroxide, the catalyst quickly and effectively destroyed various forms of estrogens typically found in post-treatment wastewater, removing 95 percent of the chemicals—including Ethinylestradiol—in 15 minutes. Hopefully, this method can be implemented and help to reduce the occurrence of gynecomastia

“Lavender and Tea Tree Oils contribute to pre-pubertal gynecomastia”

There are researches show usage of lavender and tea tree oils can cause gynecomastia or man boobs problem to young boys. A 4 years boy was brought to a doctor attention on increased of breast size about 2.5cm. The patient’s mother reported that she frequently applied lavender oil to his skin. The gynecomastia problem resolved 4 months after the mother stopped applying lavender oil to his son.

Another case, a 10 years boy used hair gel and shampoo daily which contained lavender oil and tea tree. He complained on having tender breast buds, measuring 3.5 cm width and length. After 9 months of discontinuation of the product, the gynecomastia resolved.

These two types of oils have anti-androgenic properties as it inhibits the production of male hormone. This causes more female hormone than male hormone in the body which subsequently causing gynecomastia. In addition, young boys have more delicate skin which increases the absorption of these essential oils into their body.

Therefore, all parents should take note when applying balm, ointment or any lotions to young boys. They should ensure there is no ingredient with lavender oils or tea tree oils in the products. Highlight this to their kids also, to prevent them from using the products.

“Causes of gynecomastia or man boobs”

Gynecomastia or man boobs is quite common happen to boys during puberty and some adults. Why it happens to some people and not all boys or adults? There are many possible causes of gynecomastia, which you can refer to a long list of causes below (which may sound technical jargons to some of us). However, the common cause is imbalance of androgen hormone (male hormone) against estrogen hormone (female hormone).  You may question why male has female hormone. Every normal male produces very small amount of female hormone but larger quantity of male hormone. Due to the larger volume of male hormone, the body suppresses any female characters/features in any normal male. However, the body produces lower quantity of male hormone than female hormone, man boobs or gynecomastia start to occur.

There are also many possible causes of imbalance of hormone (which causes gynecomastia), such aging and obesity. Body fat can cause conversion of some male hormone to female hormone (in scientific term : aromatization of androstenedione to estrone and testosterone to estradiol).  Body fat tends to increase for old people unless they perform regular exercises. Any drug which suppresses the production of male hormone is also one of the causes, example drug for prostate cancer.

The abuse use of drugs, ie. marijuana, and excessive intake of alcohol can cause man boobs problem. The problem will disappear the moment they stop the intake of the drugs.

Doctors and researchers have been studying of using drugs to stop this conversion of hormones. They have used testolactone to reduce the size of breast but not completely disappear.

It is advisable to check with your doctors or physicians to find out the cause of gynecomastia and type of treatment suitable to you if you suspect that you are having man boobs problem.

List of all the causes of gynecomastia or man boobs

1. Physiological
• Neonatal
• Pubertal
• Aging

2. Pathological
• Idiopathic
• Drug induced
• Increased serum estrogen
• Decreased testosterone synthesis
• Androgen resistance due to androgen receptor defects
• Other

3. Hormones
• Androgens
• Anabolic steroids
• Chorionic gonadotropin
• Estrogens
• Growth hormone

4. Antiandrogens/inhibitors of androgen synthesis
• Cyproterone acetate
• Flutamide
• Finasteride

5. Antibiotics
• Ethionamide
• Isoniazid
• Ketoconazole
• Metronidazole

6. Anti-ulcer drugs
• Cimetidine
• Ranitidine
• Omeprazole

7. Cancer chemotherapeutic drugs
• Alkylating agents
• Methotrexate
• Vinca alkaloids
• Combination chemotherapy

8. Cardiovascular drugs
• Amiodarone
• Captopril
• Digitoxin
• Diltiazem
• Enalapril
• Methyldopa
• Nifedipine
• Reserpine
• Spironolactone
• Verapamil

9. Psychoactive drugs
• Diazepam
• Haloperidol
• Phenothiazines
• Tricyclic antidepressants

10. Drugs of abuse
• Alcohol
• Amphetamines
• Heroin
• Marijuana (phytoestrogens)
• Methadone

11. Other
• Auranofin
• Diethylpropion
• Domperidone
• Etretinate
• Metoclopramide
• Phenytoin
• Penicillamine
• Sulindac
• Theophylline