Fact Sheet Gynecomastia

What is gynecomastia How common is gynecomastia? or ‘man boobs’? Gynecomastia is very common. During Gynecomastia (often more than half of all healthy males will develop referred to as ‘man boobs’) gynecomastia, with the enlarged tissue is the enlargement of male usually reducing in size with time. During breast gland tissue. It is older age about one-third of men will develop benign, meaning that it is gynecomastia. not cancerous. What causes gynecomastia? Gynecomastia can develop in males of There are many possible causes of any age or weight, but gynecomastia, and these can be grouped into often arises around physiological (the body’s normal functioning), puberty as breast pharmacological (medication or drug related), development is affected and pathological (disease) causes. by hormonal changes. Physiological gynecomastia is caused by the An accumulation of normal hormone changes that occur during excess fat, and not breast different stages of life. These changes result in an gland tissue, is sometimes increase in the ratio of normal oestrogen hormones seen in obese men – this (present in all healthy males) to is not true gynecomastia hormones, with oestrogen encouraging breast and is sometimes called tissue growth. pseudogynecomastia. • During infancy male babies can develop Gynecomastia can appear physiological gynecomastia due to the transfer as a rubbery or firm mass of oestrogen from the mother. This transfer that starts from underneath stops after birth, so the gynecomastia is the and then spreads temporary. outwards over the breast area. It usually affects • During puberty the maturing testes produce both but often in more oestrogen than testosterone, which can different amounts so there result in gynecomastia. Usually this type of is asymmetry, or it may only gynecomastia goes away spontaneously, but affect one breast. Sometimes sometimes it can persist longer term. the growing tissue can be painful or tender, and • During older age there is a gradual reduction if this occurs then you should be examined by a in testosterone production, resulting in an doctor. Gynecomastia can also result in significant increased oestrogen to testosterone ratio, which psychological and social stress, leading to anxiety can encourage the growth of breast tissue. and embarrassment.

1 / 3 Pharmacological gynecomastia is caused by Determining the cause of gynecomastia may medications or drugs that affect the ratio of sometimes require investigations such as blood oestrogen and testosterone through multiple tests, imaging, and tissue samples. Blood tests different ways. Some of these medications include may include oestrogen and testosterone hormone anabolic steroids, heart medications, or drugs of levels, markers and tests for abuse such as marijuana or . While stopping abnormal kidney or liver function. Imaging can the offending drug will usually result in the include testicular ultrasound to look for testicular gynecomastia going away, a doctor should always lumps, or breast imaging (e.g. mammogram, be consulted before stopping any medicines. ultrasound, or MRI) to look for breast lumps. If abnormal lumps in the or breasts are Pathological gynecomastia is caused by multiple found then a tissue sample (biopsy) may be different diseases or conditions that affect the ratio recommended. of oestrogen to testosterone. These conditions are quite rare but may include genetic problems, chronic Is there a link between gynecomastia diseases (especially kidney and ), and and ? tumours in the testis or . Breast cancer is very uncommon in men, with What genetic problems cause around 100 Australian men diagnosed each year gynecomastia? (less than 1% of all breast cancers). Breast cancer presents differently to gynecomastia, usually Genetic causes of gynecomastia are overall quite being hard and irregular (rather than soft), usually rare, however the commonest genetic cause is a in one breast (rather than usually in both breasts), condition known as , which and may also have nipple deformity or discharge, affects about one in every 550 males. Affected or lumps in the armpit. males have an extra X chromosome, which results in the testicles not producing enough testosterone There is a link between breast cancer and for the male body to develop and function gynecomastia in that both are associated normally. Treatment with testosterone brings the with high oestrogen levels. Overall, men with abnormal oestrogen to testosterone ratio back to gynecomastia have around twice the chance normal. Testosterone will prevent gynecomastia of getting breast cancer, however it is still very from occurring, and if already present then it uncommon. Men with Klinefelter syndrome have an may reduce it. Sometimes plastic may be even higher risk of breast cancer than other men, required to remove any residual excessive breast however it is still rare. tissue. What are the psychological How can medicines or drugs cause effects of gynecomastia? gynecomastia? Gynecomastia can be difficult to deal with as it Many different medications or drugs can lead often causes significant psychological and social to gynecomastia by causing an abnormal problems. Males may feel embarrassed or anxious oestrogen to testosterone ratio. These can include about their chest, and may avoid activities that medications for depression, heart problems, involve taking their shirt off, or avoid wearing high blood pressure, and stomach ulcers. Some certain clothes that accentuate it. antibiotics, chemotherapy drugs, and drugs can also result in gynecomastia. Increasing the awareness of gynecomastia is Drugs of abuse (e.g. marijuana, , excessive important as it is a common and normal part of alcohol) may also cause excessive breast growth. puberty and aging, and increasing awareness will help support the many males who experience How is gynecomastia diagnosed? psychological or emotional distress due to it.

Gynecomastia is diagnosed by a doctor taking your history (asking questions) and performing a physical examination. The history may involve your doctor asking questions about your breast tissue development, your medical and drug history, and what health conditions run in your family. The examination may include evaluating your breast tissue, abdomen, and genitalia. Breasts affected by gynecomastia usually have a rubbery or firm mound of tissue beneath or around the nipple.

2 / 3 How is gynecomastia treated? Surgery may be used in cases of long-standing gynecomastia or when medications have not been Gynecomastia can be treated by conservative effective. The excess breast tissue is removed measures (observation), medications, or surgery. either by excising it through an incision below Which treatment is appropriate depends on the the nipple, or by of the area, with underlying cause of the gynecomastia, whether both methods often used together. Compression the changes are expected to resolve, and what garments are commonly used after the operation cosmetic concerns are present. to help stop any fluid collection and reduce any stretched ‘excess’ . Severely stretched skin Conservative treatment includes observation and may also need to be removed. careful watching. This is appropriate for many patients as most gynecomastia goes away with Visit healthymale.org.au time. If a specific cause of the gynecomastia is or speak to your doctor for more info. identified and treated in the early stages phase of development, then the breast enlargement may be stopped and reversed.

Medications may be used to treat gynecomastia in males who have no underlying hormonal problems, although the success rates are variable. These medications aim to return the oestrogen to testosterone ratio to normal, and can include medications that suppress oestrogen such as (also used in the treatment of breast cancer).

EXPERT REVIEWER A/Prof Carolyn Allan MBBS (Hons) PhD DRCOG (UK) FRACP Andrology Australia

Mr Graeme Southwick OAM MBBS(Hons), FRACS FACS Melbourne Institute of & Hudson Institute of Medical Research

DATE REVIEWED: MAY 2018

The information in this fact sheet has been provided for educational purposes only. It is not intended to take the place of a clinical diagnosis or proper medical advice from a fully qualified health professional. Healthy Male urges readers to seek the services of a qualified medical practitioner for any personal health concerns.

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