Men who abuse alcohol may show estrogenic effects (small testes, gynecomastia, etc). One possible explanation is the consumption of phytoestrogens contained within the alcoholic beverage.
Features of estrogen excess associated with alcohol-related phyotestrogens:
(1) The patient shows unexplained estrogenic effects.
(2) The patient consumes significant amounts of alcohol.
(3) The type of alcohol consumed shows significant amounts of phytoestrogens.
(4) Other sources of estrogens (dietary, pharmacologic, endogenous) are excluded.
(5) Discontinuation of alcohol abuse is associated with reduced estrogenic effects.
Additional comments:
(1) Certain varieties of hops contain significant amounts of phyoestrogens.
(2) The amount of estrogen could be significant for a woman with an ER-positive breast carcinoma.
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