Gynecomastia (male breasts)
gynecomastia; male; breasts;
Contents
As if puberty is not hard enough on guys - going through all those changes! Your voice breaks, you grow facial hair and then it seems as though you might be growing breasts. What's going on?
What is gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the medical term for breast tissue growing on a male (guy-nee-ko-mass-tia).
- While it is not known exactly why it happens, it is actually a normal process for many young men – about 65% of 14 year old males have some breast tissue.
- The hormones that cause all of the other changes in puberty cause this too.
- Breast tissue growth for older males can be caused by other health problems, or by medicines that are needed to treat some health problems – but these are not the cause of breast tissue growth for young males around puberty.
- When a male is very overweight, he can have fat under the skin in the area of the breasts, and it can look like he has enlarged breasts. This is different to gynecomastia, which is caused by hormone changes.
What does it look like?
It normally looks like a slight swelling under the nipples.
- One breast may develop on its own, or both may grow.
- Sometimes it can be tender.
- It starts like breast development does for girls, but it stops when it is still a small lump.
- It does not keep growing.
Even though it might seem very obvious to you, most other people will not notice it. It should be hardly noticeable under your clothes.
- If you are worried about how it looks when you take your top off, for example when you go swimming, wear a t-shirt. This will protect other parts of your body from getting sun burnt too, which is always good!
How long will it last?
- This form of gynecomastia is always temporary.
- The swelling should go down within a year or two, and it is virtually always gone before the age of 20 years.
Josh says:
"All guys going through puberty can feel a bit worried at times. If you think that you are growing breasts too, that could be way too much to cope with on your own! Check things out with your doctor. Don’t sit around worrying and wondering if something is wrong with you."
Resources
South Australia
- The Second Story Youth Health Service
Central: 57 Hyde St, Adelaide
South: 50a Beach Rd, Christies Beach
North: 6 Gillingham Rd, Elizabeth
West: 51 Bower St, Woodville
Contact TSS the Youth Health line on 1300 13 17 19
- SHine SA Sexual health line 9am to 1 pm: 1300 883 793
- Your family doctor.
- Your local community health centre.
References and further reading
American Academy of Family Physicians. ‘Gynecomastia: When breasts form in males’.
http://www.familydoctor.org/
Nemours Foundation, ‘I’m a Guy….. So How Come I’m Developing Breasts?’
www.kidshealth.org/teen
The information on this site should not be used as an alternative to professional care. If you have a particular problem, see a doctor, or ring the Youth Healthline on 1300 13 17 19 (local call cost from anywhere in South Australia).