How do i know gynecomastia

Your doctor will do a physical exam to determine if gynecomastia is likely. If they detect symptoms of gynecomastia, they may order further tests to determine the cause of the condition and rule out more serious problems.

Blood tests. A testicular ultrasound. A biopsy of your breast tissue, if cancer is suspected. Ask your doctor about treatment options. In many cases, gynecomastia will go away on its own with time.

However, if your gynecomastia does not clear up on its own, or if it is causing you a lot of pain or distress, your doctor may recommend one of the following treatments: [13] X Research source Hormone therapy to block the production of estrogen or boost the production of testosterone in your body.

Liposuction, to remove excess fat from the breast. Mastectomy, a type of surgery in which the glandular tissue of the breast is removed. Your doctor may also treat your gynecomastia by treating the underlying condition that is causing it.

For example, if your gynecomastia is a result of a tumor in the testes, the tumor may need to be surgically removed in order to manage the gynecomastia and other symptoms.

Part 3. Look at your health history. Some men are at a higher risk of developing gynecomastia than others. Consider your age, medical history, and overall health. You are more likely to develop gynecomastia if you: [15] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Are going through puberty or are between 50 and 69 years of age.

Newborns can also develop gynecomastia. Infant gynecomastia usually resolves on its own before the child is a year old. Have a liver condition, such as cirrhosis or liver failure. Have a hyperactive thyroid gland. Have certain types of tumors, especially in the pituitary gland, adrenal gland, or testes. Note any medications you are taking. Certain types of prescription drugs can cause gynecomastia.

You may be at risk if you are using: [17] X Trustworthy Source Mayo Clinic Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals Go to source Medications to treat an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer. Anabolic steroids. Some types of AIDS medications. Tricyclic antidepressants. Certain types of anti-anxiety medications, such as diazepam.

Some types of antibiotics. Certain heart medications, such as digoxin. Gastric motility medications, like metoclopramide. Check for plant oils in your body care products. Some plant oils, such as lavender and tea tree oil, contain natural chemicals that mimic the estrogen hormone.

These oils may cause gynecomastia to develop in some men. Check the ingredient labels on your soaps, shampoos, body lotions, aftershave, and other common products for plant oils. National Institutes of Health Go to source.

Examine any drug use habits. Recreational drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, amphetamines, heroin, or methadone may cause gynecomastia in some men. If you use any of these drugs and are concerned about developing gynecomastia or other health problems, work with your doctor to determine the healthiest way to cut back or stop using the drug s altogether.

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. These include:. Plant oils, such as tea tree or lavender, used in shampoos, soaps or lotions have been associated with gynecomastia. This is probably due to their weak estrogenic activity. Gynecomastia has few physical complications, but it can cause psychological or emotional problems caused by appearance.

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Enlarged breasts in men gynecomastia Open pop-up dialog box Close.

Enlarged breasts in men gynecomastia With gynecomastia, tissue inside the breast glands grows. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Fentiman IS. Managing male mammary maladies.

European Journal of Breast Health. Braunstein GD, et al. Epidemiology, pathophysiology, and causes of gynecomastia. Accessed Aug. Sansone A, et al. They could, in reality, be experiencing what is known as pseudogynecomastia. Men, in general, tend to accumulate fat in the chest and abdomen regions.

When this fat accumulates in excess around the chest area, it renders a puffy and swollen appearance, which is called pseudogynecomastia. Ivan Puah, our Medical Director who has treated many gynecomastia patients, observed that "most men who came in with complaints of pseudogynecomastia were shown to have true gynecomastia after medical assessment.

That fat in the chest also has enlarged breasts glands. Pseudogynecomastia is breasts enlargement caused by the accumulation of fat in the chest. In theory, the male breasts fat tissues can be improved with exercise and weight loss. However, in many patients, male breasts fat can be rather resistant to weight fluctuation, so losing weight may not lead to significant improvement. The main gynecomastia symptoms include the enlargement of the glandular tissue in the breasts and tenderness experienced around the breast and the nipple.

Possible gynecomastia symptoms include nipple discharge in one or both breasts. In true gynecomastia, glandular tissue may develop in one or both breasts. This tissue may be located directly behind the nipple. To check for gynecomastia symptoms, gently feel your breast with your fingertips. Should you suffer from true gynecomastia, you should feel a soft, rubbery lump in one or both breasts. There are a variety of reasons that contribute to gynecomastia. Ageing, side effects of medication, hormonal imbalance and a dip in testosterone level are common culprits for the condition.

While gynecomastia symptoms are common during puberty due to hormonal changes, if they do not go away when one reaches adulthood, surgical intervention would be the answer to counter the condition.

VASER Lipo , a tissue-selective fat reduction procedure, is the treatment choice for those suffering from pseudogynecomastia excess fat in the chest.