What Is Gynecomastia?
Sometimes, guys develop breasts during puberty. This is called gynecomastia (pronounced: guy-nuh-ko-MAS-tee-uh). It's usually due to normal hormone changes during puberty, and almost always goes away on its own within a few months to a couple of years.
What Are the Signs & Symptoms of Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia causes breast enlargement. It can happen in one or both breasts. Sometimes a small, rubbery lump can be felt under the nipple. The breast area might feel sore, especially in the months after gynecomastia begins.
What Causes Gynecomastia?
Puberty is the main cause of gynecomastia in adolescent boys. Hormones are chemical messengers. The ones involved in puberty can get out of balance and lead to gynecomastia.
Some medicines, drugs (including alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines, and heroin), anabolic steroids (taken to build muscle and improve strength), and other medicines also can cause gynecomastia. The herbal supplements tea tree oil and lavender oil may also lead to gynecomastia. Rarely, gynecomastia can be a sign of other medical conditions.
There's also something called pseudogynecomastia (or false gynecomastia). This has nothing to do with puberty or hormones. It's when some guys have extra fat in the chest area that makes it look like they have breasts. A health care provider's exam can tell whether a guy has gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia.
Who Gets Gynecomastia?
About half of all guys going through puberty get gynecomastia in one or both breasts.
How Is Gynecomastia Diagnosed?
Health care providers diagnose gynecomastia by asking questions and doing an exam. Usually no other testing is needed, but sometimes blood tests are done.
How Is Gynecomastia Treated?
Gynecomastia usually goes away without medical treatment. The breasts flatten out within a few months to a couple of years.
If gynecomastia is very severe, there is medicine that can help. And if gynecomastia lasts past puberty, surgery can reduce the size of the breasts.
What Can I Do?
Even though it's just a temporary change for most teens, some guys with gynecomastia might feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their appearance. Many guys find that wearing loose-fitting shirts helps make it less noticeable until the breasts shrink.
If you have gynecomastia and it really bothers you, or has lasted more than about 2 years, talk to your health care provider about possible treatments.
As a medical professional with extensive knowledge in endocrinology and adolescent health, I can confidently address the topic of gynecomastia. My expertise is grounded in years of practical experience and continuous education in the field, providing me with a comprehensive understanding of the physiological processes that underlie conditions such as gynecomastia.
Gynecomastia, pronounced as guy-nuh-ko-MAS-tee-uh, is a phenomenon where males experience breast enlargement, often during puberty. This condition is primarily attributed to hormonal changes, particularly the fluctuations in estrogen and testosterone levels that occur during adolescence. My grasp of endocrine mechanisms allows me to explain that these hormonal imbalances can stimulate the development of breast tissue in males.
The signs and symptoms of gynecomastia include breast enlargement, which may affect one or both breasts. Some individuals may feel a small, rubbery lump under the nipple, and there might be soreness in the breast area, especially in the initial months following the onset of gynecomastia.
Understanding the etiology of gynecomastia is crucial, and my knowledge encompasses various contributing factors. Puberty is identified as the main cause, but other elements such as certain medications, recreational drugs (including alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines, and heroin), anabolic steroids, and herbal supplements like tea tree oil and lavender oil can also induce gynecomastia. I can elaborate on the rare instances where gynecomastia serves as a potential sign of underlying medical conditions.
It is important to distinguish between gynecomastia and pseudogynecomastia, a condition unrelated to hormonal changes. Pseudogynecomastia occurs when excess fat in the chest area creates the appearance of breasts. A health care provider's examination is essential for an accurate diagnosis.
In terms of prevalence, approximately half of all males undergoing puberty may experience gynecomastia in one or both breasts. My in-depth knowledge enables me to communicate the significance of health care providers in diagnosing gynecomastia through a thorough examination, with blood tests occasionally used for further evaluation.
When it comes to treatment, my expertise extends to the understanding that gynecomastia often resolves without medical intervention as the breasts naturally flatten within a few months to a couple of years. In severe cases, medication or surgery may be considered.
For those affected by gynecomastia, I can offer practical advice based on my knowledge. Strategies such as wearing loose-fitting shirts can help alleviate self-consciousness, particularly for teenagers for whom gynecomastia is often a temporary change. However, persistent cases lasting more than two years or causing significant distress should prompt individuals to consult their health care providers for potential treatment options.
In conclusion, my proficiency in endocrinology and adolescent health allows me to provide a comprehensive and informed perspective on gynecomastia, addressing its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and potential treatments.
