Man boobs can affect any man no matter the age. It is one of the most dreaded conditions and it is very common, too. It can appear during puberty or later on in a man’s life. So exactly why is gynecomastia so common? Do some everyday chemicals cause man boobs?
The Common Causes of Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia involves several known reasons. There are instances however where the cause may be unknown. But among the most recognized causes include steroid use, drug use, alcoholism, hormonal imbalance, significant weight gain, impaired liver and kidney function as well as certain medications. Gynecomastia in itself is not life threatening. But it may also indicate underlying health conditions.
Do some everyday chemicals cause man boobs?
In addition to the common causes of gynecomastia mentioned above, there are also certain everyday chemicals that are believed to cause man boobs. Among them are the following:
BPA found in plastic containers
Developed in 1891, Bisphenol-A or BPA was originally used as a replacement of estrogen beginning in 1936. BPA use for plastics began during the First World War. BPA has been used for quite some time but recent research studies prove its use may not be perfectly safe. In fact, it is associated with genital defects, obesity, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder as well as prostate and mammary cancer.
A study published in the journal of Reproductive Toxicology indicates the link between BPA and gynecomastia. The result of the study show that male mice that were given BPA in low doses developed enlarged mammary tissue until adulthood. The author of the study, Laura Vandenberg, PhD from the Center for Developmental and Regenerative Biology at Tufts University emphasizes that the mammary gland can become extremely sensitive to BPA even at low doses when exposure occurs at early development.
The exposure of young boys to BPA early on in life make them more likely to develop man boobs until they reach the adult stage. It is important to note that BPA is found in most everyday products which only increase the risk of both men and boys to gynecomastia among other health conditions which may be obtained from the prolonged use or exposure to BPA.
BPA is found in plastic containers, bottled water and canned foods. Heating of such containers only hasten the release of BPA chemical. In which case, consumers are advised to avoid eating directly from such containers and to find better alternatives.
Phthalates in hygiene products
Phthalates is an estrogen-like chemical. It is commonly used in hygiene products such as shampoos, soaps, lotions, toothpastes, sunscreens, deodorants and the like. They are used because of their ability to prolong the shelf life of these products limiting microbial growth. The problem with phthalates is that they may cause a limitation in the production of testosterones in boys. Such may lead to developmental malformations including the growth of man boobs.
Do some everyday chemicals cause man boobs? They absolutely do. This is why everyone is encouraged to be more conscious about the materials and ingredients used in making everyday products.
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