Malnutrition
The importance of proper nutrition for your body to function can not be overemphasized, especially since your nutrition helps with the production of hormones. Lack of proper diet or not eating well can cause your testosterone level to drop. Ironically, in some men, trying to recover from malnutrition and starvation by implementing a healthy diet [2] can trigger gynecomastia as well.
Medications
Any medication whether taking orally or by injection that influences your hormones can lead to symptoms of gynecomastia. Example of some medications that have been linked to the development of gynecomastia include:
- Anabolic steroids
- AIDS and HIV medications, particularly efavirenz (Sustiva®) [3]
- Anti-anxiety medications [4]
- Tricyclic antidepressants
- Medications that empty your stomach
- Certain antibiotics
- Some cancer treatments
- Anti-androgens used for enlarged or cancerous prostate
- Calcium channel blockers used for heart conditions
- Ulcer medications
Although these are all prescription medicines, there are some over-the-counter medications that can also disrupt hormonal balances, such as Tagamet HB®. There are also some herbal supplements, such as ginseng, lavender oil, tea tree oil, saw palmetto, and grape seed oil, which can produce enlarged breasts.