Breast pain?

[Wuffer]

Hey all,

I've been on finasteride for 1 1/2 months now. I have been side-effect free except for minor testicular aching for a few days, which occurred a few weeks ago. That went away but I have noticed a lump in my right breast, which is pretty tender. No sexual sides or anything like that.

The lump is not directly behind my nipple, but more on the outside towards my armpit, maybe 3 inches away from my nipple. I notice this same lump on the other breast, but it is not tender like on my right one. The lump is maybe the size of a pea, and is mobile.

I've always had slightly larger breasts, due to being overweight much of my life (I am currently at a relatively normal healthy weight, but they are still slightly enlarged). I don't have any nipple pain or anything like that, and digging around under and around my nipple doesn't cause any pain, and I don't feel any tenderness. My nipples also are not puffy in any way, so everything 'looks' normal.

I would almost say this is a swollen lymph node by the feeling of it, but i'm just wondering how Finasteride induced gyno presents itself? Does this describe how it starts, or is this likely something else? I have also noticed no increase in breast size.. In fact, ever since I started working out in December, they have been smaller due to me losing weight.

Thanks,

 

[Wuffer]

Why, what do you think could this indicate? I am reluctant to think this is anything serious since I have the exact same lump on the other side (it feels like a bundle of nerves or a lymph node or something) except the one on the right is tender, and not the other one. What are you thinking this might be? I don't have any other symptoms that would indicate cancer or anything (like inverted nipple, discharge, change in skin movement), and the lump is mobile, just like the one on the left side. Anything malignant would be hard and immobile, wouldn't it?

I am going to make an appointment with my Doctor, but I fail to see how this is a 'go to the doctor right now' scenario

 

[Wuffer]

Ok, thanks for your help. I am going to make an appointment and get it checked out.

It happened pretty suddenly, like overnight.. However, I could just be fighting off a virus, because I spent the weekend with my girlfriend who has a cold! I'm not sick yet, but you never know.

So sort of onto the Gyno topic, how does it usually present itself when it develops? Is it always a lump directly under the nipple? Is nipple puffing and breat enlargement always the precursor to the painful lumps? I remember when I went through puberty that I had gyno pretty bad (tough time at school because of it) and it was definitely different to what I have right now, which I am sure is just fat induced. Even though i'm at a pretty normal weight, it's one of those trouble areas (like my sides) that seems to be the last to drop the weight.

 

[sandyc]

Have you been doing any chest exercises? I've had a lump in the past from doing bench presses with resistance bands and Doctor said it was just blood vessels bursting.

 

[Wuffer]

Have you been doing any chest exercises? I've had a lump in the past from doing bench presses with resistance bands and Doctor said it was just blood vessels bursting.

Yes I have been! I started working out early January, and yesterday in the morning I did alot of chest exercises; bench presses, dumbell flyes and pushups. My pecs are killing me this morning; I think I pushed a little bit too hard. I never made the connection because i've never felt this before, but it sounds like thats what could be going on.

Can you describe what you felt when you had this issue? It feels like this lump is on the ridge of my pectoral muscle, where it goes up to connect to your shoulder, probably 3 inches away from my nipple (going towards my shoulder). It feels deep in the tissue, possibly inside my muscle or connected to it. It is sort of a burning steady pain, and as I said, no nipple problems, so i'm pretty sure it's not gyno.

Also, do you know what this condition is called?

 

[Broken]

I had breast tenderness & sensitivity within 15 days of taking finasteride 1 mg daily. I would work in the gym & at the slightest contact between my shirt & my nipples, I would feel the pain. It was so bad that I actually had to apply tape on them to prevent contact. I cut down the daily dose to 0.5 mg daily & the problem disappeared.

 

[Wuffer]

Strange.. That doesn't really describe what I am having; I have more of a deep pain, but no problems on the surface. Friction against my nipples or skin doesn't cause any sensation.

The lump is still there, but no longer inflamed or painful. I also came down with a pretty nasty cold, so it's possible it could have just been lymph nodes due to that. I feel the same lump on the other side, which is not painful either. I have no other symptoms of gyno or anything like that, but am still going to see the doctor just in case.

I'll keep a good eye on it though. Again, since I have no ed or any other common finasteride-induced sides, i'm guessing this is completely unrelated.

 

[Mew]

You are aware of this, right? Finasteride is same ingredient in Propecia & Proscar.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healt ... ancer.html

Not trying to scaremonger since it is very rare but get your lumps checked, which it sounds like you're doing.

http://www.propecia.com/propecia/shared ... ts/ppi.pdf
"You should promptly report to your doctor any changes in your breasts such as lumps, pain or nipple discharge."

 

[Wuffer]

You are aware of this, right? Finasteride is same ingredient in Propecia & Proscar.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healt ... ancer.html

Not trying to scaremonger since it is very rare but get your lumps checked, which it sounds like you're doing.

http://www.propecia.com/propecia/shared ... ts/ppi.pdf
"You should promptly report to your doctor any changes in your breasts such as lumps, pain or nipple discharge."

Yeah i've seen that and read up about it; it seems there is anecdotal evidence that links Finasteride use to male breast cancer, but their study was only from a sample of about 3000 patients (I think 4 of which developed breast cancer), which is hardly a sufficient number.. Even if it increases the risk slightly, it is an extremely rare type of cancer, and almost always affects people in their 50's+.

Anyways, my lump is still there but no longer tender. I am pretty sure since I was paranoid about it and poking/rubbing it constantly, I may have bruised the area which made it ache. After a couple days of not touching it, it no longer hurts. The exact same lump is on the other side, so i'm guessing it has been there the whole time. I'm going to still have my Doctor check on it though.

Also, I always read that sexual problems always come before gyno. I have had no problems in this department.. I've come down with a bad cold, and even with that and a couple beers last night, I was still able to perform perfectly well w/ the gf last night! 6 months ago, I wasn't even able to get it up after having a beer.. It's amazing how much exercise has helped me in that department.

 

[Wuffer]

Hey yall, I thought I would post an update on this; I completely forgot I posted about this issue.

I went to my Doctor a month ago to get it checked out. He determined these 'lumps' to be a mixture of fat and breast tissue, which is technically gynecomastia, but was likely leftover from puberty. He said that patients that have 'true' gynecomastia have a mass directly under the nipple (which I do not have). I likely did have this while I was younger, but a small amount of tissue was left over when I reached adulthood. He seemed to know a lot about this, which was very comforting!

He said weight loss would likely help at removing almost all of the tissue, which is exactly what has been happening as i've shed 15 pounds. He also recommended (for the 3rd time) to cut down on drinking, which I have also done. Apparently alcohol is a major contributor to gyno.

I also complained about the pain, and he asked straight away if I had been poking/proding at it. I admited I had been, and he said breast tissue is very sensitive, even in men. He also told me that he hasn't had a propecia patient come to him with gynecomastia before, but i'm not sure how many people he's presribed to..

Anyway, things are back to normal with the man boobs. It's always a good idea to go to the doctor and get this stuff checked out; at least to put your mind at ease!

 

[myhairbegone]

Hey yall, I thought I would post an update on this; I completely forgot I posted about this issue.

I went to my Doctor a month ago to get it checked out. He determined these 'lumps' to be a mixture of fat and breast tissue, which is technically gynecomastia, but was likely leftover from puberty. He said that patients that have 'true' gynecomastia have a mass directly under the nipple (which I do not have). I likely did have this while I was younger, but a small amount of tissue was left over when I reached adulthood. He seemed to know a lot about this, which was very comforting!

He said weight loss would likely help at removing almost all of the tissue, which is exactly what has been happening as i've shed 15 pounds. He also recommended (for the 3rd time) to cut down on drinking, which I have also done. Apparently alcohol is a major contributor to gyno.

I also complained about the pain, and he asked straight away if I had been poking/proding at it. I admited I had been, and he said breast tissue is very sensitive, even in men. He also told me that he hasn't had a propecia patient come to him with gynecomastia before, but i'm not sure how many people he's presribed to..

Anyway, things are back to normal with the man boobs. It's always a good idea to go to the doctor and get this stuff checked out; at least to put your mind at ease!

not sure if you are still active but, what ever came of this? I am in the same boat. No sides until a few days ago I got sensitive chest/nipples ( I hope from over examination ). Also just got nut-ache today for the first time. Dull pain lasting all day.