Is gynecomastia associated with prostate enlargement? The answer is yes it is, but its not what you think. The fact of the matter is that gynecomastia is caused by increase ratio of estrogen to testosterone levels. Well prostate cancer is associated with the reverse, that is an increase of testosterone to estrogen levels. In fact, it is increased levels of testosterone that cause overgrowth of the prostate that eventually leads to prostate enlargement, coined benign prostate hypertrophy.
So how is gynecomastia associated with prostate enlargement? The answer is the medicines that patients with BPH are prescribed. The medicines such as Proscar, block the action of testosterone on prostate cell. Their action involves blocking receptors on cells that bind testosterone. As such, even though testosterone may be circulating in your blood, it is inactive. This results in the desired reduction of the prostate and even improved hair growth on your head. However, it results in an increase of estrogen to testosterone ratio that is exposed to breast gland cells. Increased estrogen exposure means overgrowth of breast glands. It can also result in undesirable weight gain and subsequently excess fat growth in the breast.
In summary, is gynecomastia associated with prostate enlargement. Yes it is and it is due to the anti-testosterone medications prescribed. These medications result not only in overgrowth of the glandular tissues but also increase weight gain. Both of these side effects result in feminization of the chest in males. If you are taking either benign prostate hypertrophy or hair growth medications, you may have noticed overgrowth of your breasts. Your undesirable breast changes can be corrected with gynecomastia surgery. Following your gynecomastia surgery, you may continue taking your medications since your chest will be void of glands and excess fat. This means no uncontrolled growth of your chest region.