There may be numerous hidden causes of breast pain in men. The common causes of male breast pain are muscle strains, cysts, or gynecomastia. Few causes require medical treatment but the rest are harmless. Issues with breast tissues are the common cause for male breast pain, but they are usually treatable. This article will shed light on whether breast tenderness is a sign of a serious condition in males.
What Are The Causes Of Breast Pain In Male?
The common causes of breast pain in males include:
Gynecomastia:
Gynecomastia is nothing but a condition in which males experience unusual growth and inflammation in their breasts, this change in size or shape differs from person to person and will cause pain. This may arise due to hormonal imbalances, where testosterone decreases and estrogen increases. The other possible causes are aging and obesity. So whenever you face this issue, just visit the gynecomastia doctor in Coimbatore.
Cysts:
Under the skin, there will be a lump that contains fluid and air, known as a cyst. You don’t need to worry about this condition because it is harmless, but at times it becomes sore. So cysts on the breast can also be a cause of pain in the breast.
Breast Fat Necrosis:
When the fat tissues get damaged, fat necrosis will occur. Even some medical procedures, like breast surgery or a biopsy, can cause this damage. Even lumps will be developed by this breast fat necrosis, but this is not cancerous.
Muscle Strain:
The two main muscles that make up the chest are the pectoralis major and minor. Doing weighted chest exercises or applying more pressure to the muscles can cause strain.
Fibroadenoma:
The other non-cancerous lump that forms in breasts is fibroadenoma. This is one of the most common types of breast tumors but less common in men. Still, the fibroadenoma causes remain unclear, but they don’t surge the risk of breast cancer.
Other Possible Causes:
Issues in some other parts of the body may also cause breast pain. Some of them include:
- Liver disease
- Lung or heart disease
- Heartburn
- Certain medications
- Injuries in the neck or shoulder
How To Diagnose And Treat Breast Pain?
As a first step, doctors will ask you questions about your lifestyle and symptoms. For instance, they will ask you about your exercise habits or about the anabolic steroids you use. At times, doctors will perform some examinations to assess the breast tissue. First, they will rule out extreme conditions like breast cancer.
Doctors will first check the signs of breast cancer including lump or inflammation on the breast or armpit if it is breast cancer, you need to take more tests like a mammogram, biopsy, or ultrasound scan. Notably, not all breast pain will be a sign of breast cancer, but a few people may still require some other tests like ultrasound or CT scan.
Treatments:
You will be treated based on the cause of your breast pain. Also, treatment is not always required. For instance, good rest is sufficient to treat muscle strain. In contrast, some causes require breast tenderness treatment. Simply, removing the lump will reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Breast cancer treatments can differ for everyone based on their type and severity. At times, doctors will perform surgery to remove the tumor. There are also some therapies like radiation therapy or chemotherapy which will kill the cancerous cells. Another treatment option for breast cancer includes hormone therapy.
How To Prevent This Condition?
You should also understand that it is not always possible to prevent breast pain. Also, certain cases like muscle strains are preventable. The tips to prevent sudden breast pain include:
- Don’t do high-intensity chest workouts
- Slowly increase the resistance of chest exercises
- Take enough rest between chest exercises
- Before running, use lubrication or protective gear for the nipple
- Avoid certain drugs and steroids that affect hormones
What Can You Do To Relieve Breast Pain?
Usually, most of the breast pain can be addressed with lifestyle changes and medications. Something that you need to do to relieve breast pain is:
- Review your medications
- Reduce consumption of salty or fatty foods
- Reduce consuming caffeine
- Follow some stress reduction or relaxation techniques
When To See A Doctor?
As we mentioned above, certain issues don’t require medical action for relief. But it’s better to visit a doctor if you feel anything unusual. Also, the plastic surgery cost in Coimbatore is affordable. The signs of breast cancer include:
- Swelling in breast
- Breast pain or nipple pain
- Skin changes
- Unexpected discharge from the nipple
- Inflamed lymph nodes
Conclusion:
In conclusion, breast pain in males can be disturbing and also be a symptom of some underlying problem. Whereas, it is crucial not to ignore persistent and severe symptoms. Visiting a doctor for appropriate evaluation and diagnosis is significant to rule out any serious causes like breast cancer or hormonal imbalances. Timely detection and proper medical guidance can address the root cause and ensure timely treatment, leading to better outcomes and peace of mind for affected people.
