Gynecomastia is the medical term used to describe breast development in males.

In some cases, men and boys grow such excessive breast tissue that the breasts become “D” cups.

Gynecomastia is not excess fat in the breast area, but is instead excessive breast tissue. Gynecomastia is often caused by hormonal imbalances throughout the body, which can occur for multiple reasons.

For teen males, gynecomastia is often caused by hormonal imbalances due to puberty. Generally, gynecomastia is not too extreme in these cases, and usually goes away naturally within a few months to two years.

For adult males, gynecomastia is usually linked to another serious medical condition. This condition can be something like liver or lung cancer, or a hormonal imbalance caused by pituitary gland cancer or testicular cancer. Gynecomastia in adult males can also be caused by use of marijuana, methamphetamine, heroin, or alcohol.

Gynecomastia in males has also been linked to the use of certain medicines, such as the antipsychotic medication Risperdal.

Symptoms and Treatment of Gynecomastia

Other than the obvious symptom – enlarged breasts – men or boys who have gynecomastia may have breast buds on either one or both sides of their chest.

Generally, gynecomastia can be diagnosed from a simple physical exam and a look at the patient’s medical history. However, because gynecomastia does involve unusual lumps on the body, a doctor may need to check for any other problems that may be involved with the growth, such as cancer.

The treatment of gynecomastia varies, depending on the patient. Usually, for babies and teenagers, the condition will go away on its own without treatment. For those who developed gynecomastia because of a medicine or disease, the condition can usually be treated by stopping the medicine or treating the disease.

For those gynecomastia patients who cannot seem to treat the condition with simple measures, surgery can sometimes be a choice.

Risperdal Gynecomastia Lawsuits

Risperdal (risperidone) has recently been linked with the development of gynecomastia in boys and men.

Risperdal is an atypical antipsychotic drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat certain mental or mood disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and autism. Atypical antipsychotics, such as Risperdal, work by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.

The pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson manufactures and sells the medication, which is prescribed to help patients think clearly and take part in normal, everyday life.

According to reports, hundreds of boys who took Risperdal or a similar drug have developed gynecomastia. For some of these boys, the condition was so extreme and long-lasting that they were forced to undergo surgery in order to have the excess breast tissue removed.

The hormonal imbalances at the root of drug-induced gynecomastia can come from an overabundance of the hormone prolactin. The prolactin hormone controls a male’s sex drive, and in females, it sustains lactation (or breastfeeding).

The pituitary gland produces prolactin, and is controlled by dopamine. Risperdal and some similar drugs work by blocking dopamine receptors, which in turn increases prolactin levels and results in hyperprolactinemia. This condition can cause gynecomastia.

Data provided by the New Zealand Medicines and Medical Devices Safety Authority showed that hyperprolactinemia occurs far more often in Risperdal users than those who do not use the drug.

Ninety percent of Risperdal users involved in the study showed an increased or elevated level of prolactin. People with hyperprolactinemia are far more likely to develop gynecomastia.

Hundreds of boys and young men who have been negatively affected by Risperdal have filed Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson in the hope of receiving some financial compensation for their medical and emotional injuries. These lawsuits allege that Johnson & Johnson failed to adequately warn patients about the potential side effects of the drug.

If you developed gynecomastia after using Risperdal, you may be eligible to file a Risperdal gynecomastia lawsuit.