Prepubertal Gynecomastia Linked to Lavender and Tea Tree Oils

2007/02/01 by Derek V. Henley, Natasha Lipson, Kenneth S. Korach +1 · 10 citations
Medicine · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · #Male Breast Health Studies #Cancer and Skin Lesions #Genetic and rare skin diseases.

paper · doi:10.1056/nejmoa064725

openalex publication_date 2007/02/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28

Abstract

Most cases of male prepubertal gynecomastia are classified as idiopathic. We investigated possible causes of gynecomastia in three prepubertal boys who were otherwise healthy and had normal serum concentrations of endogenous steroids. In all three boys, gynecomastia coincided with the topical application of products that contained lavender and tea tree oils. Gynecomastia resolved in each patient shortly after the use of products containing these oils was discontinued. Furthermore, studies in human cell lines indicated that the two oils had estrogenic and antiandrogenic activities. We conclude that repeated topical exposure to lavender and tea tree oils probably caused prepubertal gynecomastia in these boys.

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