Drugs that May Cause Abnormal Breast Growth in Men

Abnormal breast growth in men, known as gynecomastia, occurs when female hormones (estrogen) are increased relative to male hormones (androgens). Many men aren’t aware that certain drugs can cause this condition. At Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center, we understand that men experiencing gynecomastia may feel self-conscious about their appearance and want to know how they can fix this issue. In this post, our expert plastic surgeons, Drs. Samuel Pearl and Alexander Ereso, discuss which classes of drugs can cause abnormal breast growth in men.

Anti-androgen Medications

Anti-androgens are used to treat a number of conditions, such as prostate enlargement and prostate cancer. Some common examples include flutamide, finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) and spironolactone (Aldactone). These drugs inhibit androgen synthesis or activity, which disrupts the balance between male and female hormones in the body. This can potentially result in male breast enlargement.

Alcohol and “Street” Drugs

Alcohol, particularly when used excessively, can cause gynecomastia. Several other illegal drugs have also been linked to male breast enlargement, including marijuana, heroin, and amphetamines. Men who drink excessive amounts of alcohol or use street drugs are not good candidates for male breast reduction surgery.

Other Drugs that Cause Gynecomastia

There are many other drugs that can cause abnormal breast growth in men, such as:

Anti-anxiety medications, such as diazepam (Valium)
Some antibiotics
highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV disease
Ulcer medications, such as cimetidine (Tagamet)

There are also other factors that contribute to gynecomastia. These include aging and diseases that affect the thyroid, liver, or kidneys. Abnormal male breast growth is quite common, with between 40 and 60 percent of men experiencing gynecomastia at some point in their lives. If you’re concerned about abnormal breast growth or are feeling self-conscious about your appearance, be sure to discuss it with your doctor.

Consult with an Experienced Surgeon

For men experiencing gynecomastia due to the use of certain drugs or other factors, breast reduction surgery may be a possible solution. Our skilled surgeons can discuss this procedure with you and determine if you are a good candidate for breast reduction surgery. Schedule a consultation at our Mountain View office by calling (650) 964-6600.

Is Your Diet Aging You?

No one wants to look old before their time. Many wonder whether diet and nutrition play a role in the aging process. In this blog post, Drs. Samuel Pearl and Alexander Ereso share insights into the role food plays in one’s cosmetic appearance.

Food and Aging

The food that you eat can affect your appearance. A nutritionally poor diet may cause one to appear older than they are. The good news is that changing your diet is easy to do. Eating healthier foods can help your skin to look younger and make your body feel better.

Foods high in sugar and fat can not only lead to an unhealthful appearance, but can also lead to serious health conditions such as diabetes, fatty liver disease, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular problems. Ditching the fat and sugar in favor of healthy foods like fruits and vegetables will have a positive effect on your skin and its underlying structures.

Foods to Avoid

High-Fat Meats

Processed meat products such as sausage, hot dogs, and pepperoni are usually very high in fat content. Nitrates and saturated fat found in these type of meats can lead to gastrointestinal inflammation, high blood pressure and water retention.

Fried Foods

Potato chips, French fries, and chicken wings are almost always deep fried in cooking oil that contains unhealthy fats. When eating out at restaurants, try to avoid fried items – asked for grilled or baked options instead.

Alcohol

While small amounts of alcohol may have beneficial health effects, overindulging in beer, wine, or spirits can lead to weight gain and liver issues. Alcohol dehydrates the body, and hydration is very important to skin elasticity and health.

Dessert

Most desserts are full of sugar and fat. The human body has not evolved to tolerate high levels of processed sugar. High blood sugar levels lead to an insulin spike reaction in the body, which responds by storing the excess sugar as fat.

Healthy Food Choices

We advise our patients to follow the “Mediterranean” diet – that is, a diet high in healthy fruits and vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and dairy, legumes, and fish.

Contact Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center

If you have questions about how diet affects aging and would like advice on how to improve your nutrition plan, contact us at (650) 964-6600.

How to Make Botox Last Longer

Getting the best possible results from Botox requires more than just a single treatment. While you can see great results the first time you try Botox, you should make sure you’re taking the proper steps to make your youthful appearance last. At Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center, we’re experienced in using Botox to treat patients with frown lines and wrinkles. In this post, our expert plastic surgeons, Drs. Samuel Pearl and Alexander Ereso, explain how to make your Botox results last longer.

Choose the Right Doctor

Finding a doctor you trust may be the most important thing you can do to make your Botox results last. Choose a doctor with experience using Botox and stick with the same doctor for all of your injections. Your doctor will know your full injection history and the exact facial appearance you prefer. If you must switch doctors, be sure to tell your new doctor about your history with injectables.

Determine Your Optimal Injection Frequency

It often takes a little bit of experimenting for a patient to find the exact look they want to achieve using Botox. You’ll need to figure out which facial areas you want treated, how much Botox to use and how often to get Botox treatments. It’s also important to remember that Botox builds up over time. You may initially need four Botox treatments per year, but then require only two treatments per year after you’ve been regularly receiving Botox.

Avoid Prolonged Sun Exposure

The basics of skin care are still important to a Botox patient, which includes protecting yourself from the sun’s harmful rays. Once you’ve found a Botox treatment program that gets you amazing results, you don’t want to spoil it by spending too much time in the sun. Wearing hats and using sunscreen are vital to keep your skin healthy and protect the youthful appearance achieved with Botox.

Schedule a Botox Consultation

If you’re ready to begin a Botox treatment program, the skilled plastic surgeons at Pearl-Ereso Plastic Surgery Center can help guide you through the process. During your Botox consultation, they will provide information on the process of getting Botox injections and the results you can achieve. Contact our Mountain View office at (650) 964-6600 to schedule a consultation today.