For newborns and adolescents, gynecomastia is usually temporary — it goes away once your hormones rebalance. Some people don’t want or need treatment for gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is the enlargement of glandular tissue in your breast(s). Obesity can also cause an increase in breast size due to excess adipose (fat) tissue. If gynecomastia makes you self-conscious or you have other health concerns, talk to your healthcare provider. Those with XXY are more likely than others to have certain health problems, such as autoimmune disorders, breast cancer, venous thromboembolic disease, and osteoporosis. Gynecomastia (increased breast tissue) in males is common, occurring in up to 80% of cases. In other cases, symptoms are more prominent and may include weaker muscles, greater height, poor motor coordination, less body hair, gynecomastia (breast growth), and low libido. If high estrogen levels prevent you from having the physical appearance you’d like, masculinizing hormone therapy may be an option for you. Too much estrogen, though, can cause irregular periods and may worsen conditions that affect your reproductive health. One option for treatment does involve medications that increase the levels of testosterone. The lifespan of individuals with Klinefelter syndrome appears to be reduced by around 2.1 years compared to the general male population. In the past, the observation of the Barr body was common practice, as well. Destruction and hyalinization of the seminiferous tubules cause a reduction in the function of Sertoli cells and Leydig cells, leading to decreased production of FSH and testosterone. Another possible mosaicism is 47,XXY/46,XX with clinical features suggestive of KS and male phenotype, but this is very rare. Approximately 15–20% of males with KS may have a mosaic 47,XXY/46,XY constitutional karyotype and varying degrees of spermatogenic failure. However, in XXY males, a few genes located in the pseudoautosomal regions of their X chromosomes have corresponding genes on their Y chromosome and are capable of being expressed. This XXY chromosome arrangement is one of the most common genetic variations from the XY karyotype, occurring in approximately one in 500 live male births. While testosterone treatment can provide many benefits, from improved muscle mass to enhanced mood, one unintended side effect is the risk of gynecomastia. Causative medications should be withdrawn or the underlying causative medical conditions (eg, hyperthyroidism) should be addressed. The sensitivity and specificity of mammography for benign and malignant breast conditions exceed 90%; however, the positive predictive value for malignant conditions is low (55%) because of the low prevalence of malignancy in patients presenting with gynecomastia.14Imaging of the scrotum is only recommended if palpable masses are present. After initial history and examination exclude pseudogynecomastia and other obvious explanatory conditions, mammography can differentiate true gynecomastia from a mass that requires tissue sampling to exclude malignancy. Palpation usually demonstrates a palpable, tender, firm, mobile, disclike mound of tissues1,4 that is not as hard as breast cancer and is located centrally under the nipple-areolar complex. Seek a consultation with a healthcare provider familiar with male breast disorders. If high estrogen levels increase your cancer risk or worsen cancer you already have, your provider may recommend more aggressive treatments. High estrogen can disrupt reproductive processes, cause unpleasant symptoms and increase your risk of certain conditions. Dr. Delgado, MD is a world-recognized plastic surgeon and specialist in the treatment of male breast enlargement, also called gynecomastia. No, gynecomastia is not precancerous and does not increase breast cancer risk. Pseudogynecomastia is the accumulation of fat in the male breast area without glandular tissue growth. Gynecomastia is an uncommon but possible side effect of testosterone therapy. It’s not an inevitable outcome but can occur if estrogen levels become relatively elevated. Testosterone therapy remains effective for men with clinically low testosterone and can improve quality of life when appropriately managed. These medications should only be used under medical supervision. Too rapid or high dosing increases aromatization risk and the relative rise in estrogen. Routine estradiol testing is not necessary for everyone but is recommended when breast symptoms develop. Feel free to ask us any question you would like about TRT, medical weightloss, ED, or other topics related to men's health. However, if it results from an underlying medical condition, that condition must be treated to resolve the symptoms. If you have symptoms of gynecomastia, contact your doctor so they can determine the cause of your condition. Infants may develop gynecomastia when breastfeeding or chestfeeding. The condition is usually temporary and subsides as hormone levels rebalance. This refined technique ensures outcomes that appear both natural and proportionate to the patient’s body. The result is a flatter, firmer, and more masculine chest contour. In select cases—particularly in adolescents—gynecomastia may resolve spontaneously. In some cases, gynecomastia may also be linked to genetic or endocrine abnormalities.
