Lavender and Unwanted Breast Tissue in Boys and Men
A recent article in the New England Journal of Medicine noted that there may be a connection between the development of breast tissue on male children and the use of lavender and/or tea tree oils on them. The researchers found that the oils had both estrogenic and antiandrogenic properties. This means that the oils fostered estrogen (a primarily female hormone) and suppressed androgens (a primarily male hormone).
The researchers speculated that these hormonal effects may have led to the development of the unwanted breast tissue and they cautioned parents to be on the lookout for these products in products such as diaper wipes. In the three children who had the gynecomastia, once the use of these oils stopped, the extra breast tissue did go away.
How else does gynecomastia develop? When a male's estradiol blood level is high enough, the glut in this female hormone can cause him to have breast enlargement. Males may notice this breast development during their teen years. The sudden surge in adolescent testosterone and its spillover that converts to estradiol seem to overwhelm the body at first.
The temporary glut of estradiol changes the hormonal balance and alters the teenager's testosterone/estradiol (T/E) ratio. For a brief period of time, the relative excess of female hormones in the teenager's bloodstream stimulates his breasts to start growing. Gradually the T/E ratio tilts in favor of the testosterone. Then, as estradiol levels dwindle, the stimulus to further breast development slows down and eventually ceases. Innovative hormone treatments with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may provide a nonsurgical alternative for treatment.
I have treated several men in my practice who have had gynecomastia and had one friend who also had it. From my small sample alone, I can say that this can occur regardless of sexual orientation. No matter what zone of the world a male inhabits, gynecomastia can be a challenge to live with.
Young boys tend to resort to loose fitting clothes and the avoidance of public swimming. For some, it is so upsetting that they try to distract themselves with unhealthy habits like overeating (which can inadvertently add breast tissue) and self-numbing with substances as teens and later. The seeming feminization of the male body can lead to confusion about gender identity and/or orientation -- among other types of psychological discomfort.
In the gay male culture, where there may be a strong emphasis on physical appearance, gynecomastia can place additional burdens on a man who may already be struggling to figure out where he fits in. Only men who are interested in transvestism and transsexualism seem to find gynecomastia a "blessing." No matter their sexual orientation, some men do turn to liposuction surgery to remove the extra tissue -- an option with some risks (as with any surgery), but not an unreasonable one. I look forward to a time in which differences are noticed but not made a source of humiliation or embarrassment. I hope I live that long.
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Technorati Tags: lavender, male breasts, gynecomastia
The researchers speculated that these hormonal effects may have led to the development of the unwanted breast tissue and they cautioned parents to be on the lookout for these products in products such as diaper wipes. In the three children who had the gynecomastia, once the use of these oils stopped, the extra breast tissue did go away.
How else does gynecomastia develop? When a male's estradiol blood level is high enough, the glut in this female hormone can cause him to have breast enlargement. Males may notice this breast development during their teen years. The sudden surge in adolescent testosterone and its spillover that converts to estradiol seem to overwhelm the body at first.
The temporary glut of estradiol changes the hormonal balance and alters the teenager's testosterone/estradiol (T/E) ratio. For a brief period of time, the relative excess of female hormones in the teenager's bloodstream stimulates his breasts to start growing. Gradually the T/E ratio tilts in favor of the testosterone. Then, as estradiol levels dwindle, the stimulus to further breast development slows down and eventually ceases. Innovative hormone treatments with dihydrotestosterone (DHT) may provide a nonsurgical alternative for treatment.
I have treated several men in my practice who have had gynecomastia and had one friend who also had it. From my small sample alone, I can say that this can occur regardless of sexual orientation. No matter what zone of the world a male inhabits, gynecomastia can be a challenge to live with.
Young boys tend to resort to loose fitting clothes and the avoidance of public swimming. For some, it is so upsetting that they try to distract themselves with unhealthy habits like overeating (which can inadvertently add breast tissue) and self-numbing with substances as teens and later. The seeming feminization of the male body can lead to confusion about gender identity and/or orientation -- among other types of psychological discomfort.
In the gay male culture, where there may be a strong emphasis on physical appearance, gynecomastia can place additional burdens on a man who may already be struggling to figure out where he fits in. Only men who are interested in transvestism and transsexualism seem to find gynecomastia a "blessing." No matter their sexual orientation, some men do turn to liposuction surgery to remove the extra tissue -- an option with some risks (as with any surgery), but not an unreasonable one. I look forward to a time in which differences are noticed but not made a source of humiliation or embarrassment. I hope I live that long.
Related Topics:
Technorati Tags: lavender, male breasts, gynecomastia
Labels: gynecomastia, lavender, male breasts, tea tree oil
18 Comments:
"...there may be a connection between the development of breast tissue on male children and the use of lavender and/or tea tree oils used on them." Why would a young boy or his parents be applying "lavender and/or tea tree oil" to the boy's breasts, or to any other part of the boy?
Anonymous,
If you read the article she linked to you'll see that lavender is a common ingredient in baby products -- they clearly describe the study and circumstances causing the problems.
I think it is important to add that gynecomastia can also be a side effect of the hormones that a testicular tumor secretes. Since testis cancer is the most common solid tumor found in men age 15 to 34, it is important that these young men undergo the necessary workup such as a testicular exam and perhaps an ultrasound.
Oncology Nurse
Hi. Im sixty three and have had breasts since i was about 12. I talked to my family doctor way back then and he said its no bad to have them, he had them too and I thought thats all right with me.
The guys made fun of me a little bit in gym class but other than that all has been good. some of the girls I dated didnt care for them due to the fact mine were a bit bigger then theirs but a few were very attracted to my breasts as I was to theirs.
I have a positive attitude though, been through a lot in life,there is more to worry about. thanks for letting me tell mystory. if you would like to write me feel free. My email is daxleeds31@yahoo.com
No one has said what can be done to fix this condition in a young male. I have a 15yr old son who begs me to have surgery to remove them,Is this an option? Are there medicaitons that can make these go away? Write me at Donutlady62@yahoo
IF LAVENDER CAN CAUSE BREAST DEVELOPEMENT IN MALES CAN IT ALSO INCREASE BREAST SIZE IN WOMEN?
not 100% sure in this case, but plant based estrogens (phytoestrogens) stimulate the same receptors as a woman's own hormones, though they are much weaker. The result is that they actually can block the effectiveness of female hormones in generating breast tissue. For boys who have very little estrogen, the influx of phytoestrogens can have an effect (all humans are ready to develop breasts if triggered), but for girls (or transsexuals on hormones) plant estrogen can get in the way.
Each body is programmed to develop whatever size breasts women in the family normally have. More hormones don't make them bigger.
My 14 year old sun has breast and is very self conscious about it i'm worried that it may affect him in a physological way - what can i do?
Actually, for those concerned with breasts growing on males, you may check about not eating chickens - which are usually treated with hormones... Or eat organic chickens only.
I used Tea Tree oil shampoo for 3 yrs before finding this info and stopped in 3 months ago. I did develop slight gyne but more importanly a drop in libido. Didn't know it was probably caused by the shampoo...as the drop occured within a month of new shampoo although i never put the two together. I'm 31 now. When will the effects reverse. It's been getting better everyday with regards to losing flabby chest. looking fwd to the libido.
Well, question to those out there that are in the medical field or know what they are talking about, What will happen to a man in his twenties if he has no estrogen in his body at all? Can that happen?
I'm 20 years old and I lost about 70lbs and I have some extra tissue around the breast area. What do I do? I met with a plastic surgeon but I bailed out b/c I got nervous. Email me please crimsonbred28@yahoo.com
My son is fourteen. I took him to the dr. about six months ago for this. The dr. said it would dissolve, but it hasn't the have gotten bigger and HURT real bad. He is very self-concious about it. My husband and his brother had the same thing when the were in their pre-teens, but their doc. did surgery. Our's won't. Should I get a second opinon?
i have a 16 year old son that is so embarressed that he wont take gym he quit wrestling and is about to quit track.He wants surgery.Is this somethind that he will out grow??
i have a 16 year old son that is so embarressed that he wont take gym he quit wrestling and is about to quit track.He wants surgery.Is this something that he will out grow??
I'm not sure if maybe I just misunderstood but I also heard that using any type of oils in a young boys hair can also lead to growing breast for the boys. how true is this. I have a brother that is wanting to know. please help me understand this truth or misunderstanding. send me any info at jessica.mares@visd.com thank
i am pregnant with my first son. i love the smell of the lavender baby wash and its suppose to help sooth the baby for better sleep. so, unless i want my child having breast....should i find some other baby wash to use? if so, do they make lavender wash without actually putting lavender in it.maybe just the sent of it?
I am 19 years old, I am healthy and fit I ran track and lift weights in high school. I suffer with gyne and it has made me very self conscious I completely understand what some of these young guys are going through. I have had it since the seventh grade and it sucks, I went to the doctor and I was so excited to maybe get treatment "NOT SURGERY", the doctor told me that it was "NORMAL" and he told me it would go away in a year or two and not to worry. It's been 7 years since then and I am still waiting for it to go away. Some doctors haven't a clue on how it effects young men and older men. And I can't bring myself to take some of these "natural pill treatments" I just don't won't to get my hopes up. Any parents out there it doesn't always go away in a couple weeks, months, or years its a burden that effects your sons life in a time where they are learning about themselves. I am lucky and I just didn't let it completely overwhelm me I love running too much. I live a normal life and I have fun with friends shirt on or off. I figure I'm lucky with my health and the great shape I'm in and other people in the world have bigger problems than me. But even today I am still self conscious but not as bad as I used to be. I hope my story helped. P.S. more people have it than you know
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