How long does gynecomastia last during puberty

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. Health care providers diagnose gynecomastia by asking questions and doing an exam. Usually no other testing is needed, but sometimes blood tests are done. 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. Even though it's just a temporary change for most teens, some guys with gynecomastia might feel embarrassed or self-conscious about their appearance. Procedures such as breast reduction surgery are not usually available on the NHS, unless there is a clear medical need for them.

For example, if you've had gynaecomastia for a long time, it hasn't responded to other treatments and it's causing you a lot of distress or pain a GP may refer you to a plastic surgeon to discuss the possibility of surgery. Always see a GP if the area is very painful or there's an obvious lump. Sometimes, the lump may need to be removed.

Gynaecomastia isn't related to breast cancer , but you should see a GP if you're worried about breast swelling. Read the answers to more questions about men's health. Page last reviewed: 22 March Next review due: 22 March Home Common health questions Men's health Back to Men's health. What is gynaecomastia? Signs of gynaecomastia Signs vary from a small amount of extra tissue around the nipples to more prominent breasts. Sometimes, the breast tissue can be tender or painful, but this isn't always the case.

Causes of gynaecomastia Hormone imbalance Gynaecomastia can be caused by an imbalance between the sex hormones testosterone and oestrogen.

Obesity Being very overweight obesity is a common cause of gynaecomastia — this is because being overweight can increase levels of oestrogen, which can cause breast tissue to grow.

Newborn baby boys Gynaecomastia can affect newborn baby boys, because oestrogen passes through the placenta from the mother to the baby. This kind of gynecomastia almost always just goes away with time.

Temporary breast enlargement often happens during adolescence when there are hormonal changes. Because gynecomastia occurs naturally in the body during puberty, no known method can prevent it. A healthy lifestyle with diet and exercise may affect the development of the breast. And keep in mind that some forms of illegal drug use have been linked with gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is not physically harmful, although it can occasionally indicate more serious underlying conditions.

Occasionally, boys with gynecomastia experience tenderness that can be treated with medications. For Patients. Contact the Adolescent Breast Center Email breastclinic childrens.