What can be done about Prolactin-induced gynecomastia

Gynecomastia, known as “gyno”, is abnormal growth of breast tissue in males due to high estrogen levels. As men get into steroids, the occurrence of gyno is something they all wish to avoid. While there are a few reasons this phenomenon occurs, steroid use is a known culprit as there is heightened Estrogenic activity.

This causes the conversion of androgens to Estrogen during a steroid cycle. While it is seen as a common side effect, it is not widely known that it is one of the most avoidable side effects. There are many preventative measures that can be taken to avoid a prolactin induced Gynocomastia.

Can I know if I’m More Susceptible to contracting Gyno?

Because of the range of individual factors that go into being susceptible to gyno, there is no absolute way to know if you are at risk. Most people are not highly susceptible to gyno. The majority of the male population falls under average or below average susceptibility.

Some may never get gyno, but are constantly just a hairs length away from developing it. Others have it, and may not even know it. For this population, it will usually have developed during puberty. The slightest change in hormones can set off the effects of gyno in this population; though unless provoked, it usually remains dormant.

Unfortunately there is no easy way to figure out where on the spectrum you are. So if you want preventative measures, there are options available to you.

What Causes Elevated Prolactin?

Prolactin is a hormone produced by the pituitary gland. It is secreted in high dosage usually only by women who are breast feeding. It is abnormal for any man or woman not in that situation to have high levels of Prolactin. Prolactin becomes elevated by the elevation of Estradiol.

A way to avoid the elevation of Estradiol without other medications is to be aware of the amount of aromatizing steroids that are used in a cycle. By limiting use at the source you will keep from triggering the higher levels of Estradiol as well as Prolactin, thus using your own steroid regimen to your benefit.

Top 4 most aromatizing steroids are:

-Dianabol;

-Anadrol;

-Testostosterone;

-Deca

Take a look on “What is steroid aromatization” to find more about steroids you are better to stay away.

Can my Thyroid Affect Prolactin levels?

Low thyroid levels can also have an effect on higher levels of Prolactin. A lower thyroid level causes an increased level of THC to be secreted, stimulating the pituitary gland. This in turn secretes more Prolactin. Before you start a drug regimen of any kind concerning levels of high Prolactin, you should look into getting a thyroid test.

Not only will it potentially solve your Prolactin increase without unnecessary drugs, but low thyroid levels can bring a mess of symptoms to the body, such as depression, weakness, constipation, dry skin, or memory problems. If the thyroid is the issue, Prolactin levels are just one of many side effects that need attention.

If I just want to be safe, what should I take?

Many sources caution against taking anything for Prolactin unless you know you have an issue with your levels. If you know you are at risk, a dopaminergic drug can help lessen Prolactin secretion. Two of the more popular choices are Selegiline (Deprenyl) and Pramipexole (Mirapex).

The safer of the two choices is Deprenyl, with less of an effect on prolactin, at as dosage of 2.5 mg per day. Mirapex is recommended at a careful dosage of .25 to .5, right before bed. Pramipexole is more aggressive, but also more dangerous. Dosage should be monitored carefully, and it should not be taken without a blood test to ensure an actual Prolactin issue.

Right workout gonna help you a lot in getting rid of man boobs. Watch this video to find out best exercises for reducing gynocomastia  appearance.

Gyno is health condition that every bodybuilder should be aware of. That’s why we do not get tired or bored of this subject and try to come with fresh  and useful info about it.

To read even more about gyno click on this article “Gynecomastia and bodybuilding“- one of the most detailed post about breast enlargement.

Abscess prevention

So what is an abscess? An abscess is a localized collection of pus in any part of the body, usually caused by an infection. Abscesses develop when an area of tissue becomes infected and the body is able to prevent the infection and keep if from spreading. During this process forms, which is an accumulation of fluid, living and dead white blood cells, dead bacteria or other foreign invaders or materials.

Most abscesses are septic (caused by infection) but sterile abscesses can also occur which are not caused by germs but by non-living irritants such as drugs. If an injected drug, especially oil based ones such as anabolic steroids are not fully absorbed, it stays where it was injected and may cause enough irritation to generate a sterile abscess. Sterile abscesses are likely to turn into hard, solid lumps as they scar, rather than pockets of pus.

Superficial abscesses are readily visible and as stated above, are red, swollen, painful and warm. Abscesses in other areas of the body may not be obvious and may produce only generalized symptoms such as fever and discomfort. A sterile abscess may cause only a painful lump, for example deep gluteus injections. If the abscess is small enough,  inch or less, applying warm compresses/hot soaks to the area for about 30 minutes ed can help.

Sometimes though, it will not disperse and you need medical attention. At this point a culture or examination of any drainage from the lesion will help identify what is causing the abscess. The infection can spread to the tissues under the skin and eventually enter the bloodstream, resulting in septicaemia which can be very serious and life threatening. Unlike other infections, antibiotics alone will not cure a well developed abscess. In general an abscess must be cut open and drained by a doctor in order for it to improve.
Once the sore has drained, the doctor will insert some packing into the remaining cavity to minimize any bleeding and keep it open for a day or two. With time the cavity will heal, but you can expect to be out of the gym for weeks. When it does heal, scar tissue will form, therefore, no more injections in that area.

Infection can be a problem with any type of injection, due to the nature of having to transverse though the protective barrier of the skin. It is extremely important to inject under sterile and sanitary conditions to avoid transmitting infectious foreign organisms into the body. The most common infective complication when injecting Anabolic Steroids is an abscess.

Researchers Rich et al. (1999) report of a case of a 26 year old anabolic steroid user who did not use sterile injection techniques and wound up with an injection-related thigh abscess. This individual reported sharing multi-dosage vials with two other weightlifting colleagues who also developed infections. It took approximately 3-4 months and a trip to the emergency room to control the infection and begin healing.

Two cases of thigh abscesses were discovered in male and female professional weight lifters who injected a veterinary preparation of stanozolol contaminated with Mycobacterium smegmatis. Two case reports of staphylococcal gluteal abscesses developed in young bodybuilders 18 and 21 years of age.

Precautions to take when injecting anabolic steroids:

1) Inject under strict sanitary conditions, this means not in your dirty ass bathroom you haven't clean in a year or near your dirty laundry and sweat socks.

2) Use correct injection technique, inject intramuscularly, aspirate the syringe and use large main, muscle groups only.

3) Avoid sharing or reusing needles. Sharing is for junkies, don't do it. As for reusing, needles are cheap and readily available right here on our board so dont do it. Use one needle for withdraw and then remove, put on a new needle and inject.

4) Make sure your skin is clean. Inject right after a shower or use an alcohol swab/wipe to clean the area as well as the top of all multi-injection vials.

5) Check your source for legit products. Some UG gear is made in horrible locations that are not sanitary, do some research to make sure what you are putting in your body is legit and well manufactured.