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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staff
Gynecomastia is swelling of the breast tissue in boys or men, caused by an imbalance of the hormones estrogen and testosterone. Newborns, boys going through puberty and older men often develop gynecomastia as a result of normal changes in hormone levels. There are other causes as well.
Generally, gynecomastia isn't a serious problem, but it can be tough to cope with. Men and boys with gynecomastia sometimes have pain in their breasts and may feel embarrassed.
Gynecomastia may go away on its own. Gynecomastia can also be treated with medications that help balance hormone levels. In some cases, surgery to remove breast tissue also may be an option.
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- Braunstein GD. Causes and evaluation of gynecomastia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 17, 2008.
- Braunstein GD. Management of gynecomastia. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 17, 2008.
- Braunstein GD. Gynecomastia. New England Journal of Medicine. 2007;357(12):1229-1237.
- Testicular Disorders. In: Kronenberg HM, et al. Williams Textbook of Endocrinology. 11th ed. St. Louis, Mo. Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/111383897-2/0/1555/0.html. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Fitzgerald PA. Gynecomastia. In: McPhee SJ et al. CURRENT Medical Diagnosis & Treatment. 48th ed. San Francisco, Calif.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2009. http://www.accessmedicine.com/resourceTOC.aspx?resourceID=1. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
- Shalender B. Disorders of the Testes and Male Reproductive System. In: Fauci AS, et al. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine. 17th ed. The Mc-Graw Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2900449. Accessed Nov. 24, 2008.
