Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia is excessive development of the breasts in a male. Breast enlargement is a normal, short-term occurrence in some newborn boys, whose breasts enlarge in response to female hormones they receive from their mother during pregnancy. The condition may also appear at puberty, when a boy's body is undergoing normal hormonal changes.

Causes

In most cases, gynecomastia is the result of too much estrogen (a female sex hormone) in the boy's body. Male breast enlargement at birth and at puberty usually occurs because the estrogen level has not yet adjusted to normal (both sexes have estrogen in their bodies). Abnormal gynecomastia occurs when some condition, such as a tumor of one of the testes or an estrogen-secreting tumor of one of the adrenal glands, results in abnormally high levels of estrogen. Some medications can also cause gynecomastia.

Symptoms

In addition to the obvious enlargement of the breasts, symptoms may include tenderness in the breasts and, in extreme cases, secretion of milk.

Treatment

Gynecomastia should always be brought to the attention of a doctor. It is especially important that tumors of the adrenal or pituitary glands or testes be ruled out or treated. Such tumors are usually removed surgically. In severe or prolonged cases, the excess breast tissue can be removed by plastic surgery, with little visible scarring. In most cases, patients can be reassured that the condition is temporary. Especially in need of such reassurance are teenage boys, who are often embarrassed and fearful that they are abnormal.