LOCATIONSA E S T H E T XBOOK NOW

Gynecomastia Treatment in Campbell

Also known as: Male Breast Enlargement, Enlarged Male Breasts, Male Breast Tissue Enlargement, Man Boobs, Male Breast Hypertrophy

4 min readLast updated: 2026-04-07Reviewed by Dr. Kamakshi R. Zeidler, MD, FACS

Gynecomastia is a benign enlargement of breast glandular tissue in males, resulting from an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. The condition can affect one or both breasts and may cause tenderness or discomfort. Gynecomastia is common across the lifespan, occurring in newborns, adolescent boys during puberty, and older men as hormone levels change. While many cases resolve on their own, persistent gynecomastia may cause psychological distress and can be addressed through medical or surgical treatment.

At a Glance

  • Gynecomastia affects over 50% of males at some point in their lives, with prevalence peaks in newborns, adolescents, and men over 50[4]
  • In adolescents, more than 90% of gynecomastia cases resolve spontaneously within one to two years without treatment[1]
  • The condition results from an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone, and can be caused by medications, medical conditions, or normal hormonal changes[5]
  • Gynecomastia is the most common benign disorder of male breast tissue and is not associated with increased risk of breast cancer in otherwise healthy men[2]

Affected Anatomy

  • Breast glandular tissue
  • Mammary ducts
  • Chest wall
  • Adipose tissue of the breast

What are the symptoms of Gynecomastia?

  • Enlargement of breast tissue, often described as a firm or rubbery mass beneath the nipple
  • Breast tenderness or sensitivity, particularly in early stages
  • Swelling in one or both breasts, which may be asymmetric
  • A palpable, moveable lump under the nipple area
  • Nipple discharge in some cases
  • Psychological distress or self-consciousness related to breast appearance

When should you seek care for Gynecomastia?

  • New, rapidly growing, or painful breast enlargement
  • Nipple discharge, especially if bloody or dark
  • A hard, fixed, or irregular lump in the breast
  • Breast changes accompanied by testicular pain, swelling, or a mass
  • Persistent gynecomastia causing significant psychological distress
  • Breast enlargement in prepubescent boys

If any of these apply to you, don't hesitate to reach out for help.

What causes Gynecomastia?

Causes

  • Imbalance between estrogen and testosterone hormone levels
  • Normal hormonal fluctuations during puberty, with estradiol rising faster than testosterone
  • Age-related decline in testosterone production, particularly in men over 50
  • Medications including spironolactone, finasteride, digoxin, cimetidine, and certain antipsychotics
  • Medical conditions such as hypogonadism, hyperthyroidism, liver cirrhosis, and kidney failure
  • Substance use including anabolic steroids, marijuana, and alcohol
  • Obesity, which can increase estrogen production through aromatization of androgens in fat tissue

Risk Factors

  • Adolescence (puberty-related hormonal changes)
  • Age over 50 years
  • Obesity or excess body fat
  • Use of anabolic steroids or testosterone supplements
  • Medications that affect hormone levels (e.g., prostate cancer treatments, anti-ulcer drugs)
  • Chronic liver disease or cirrhosis
  • Kidney failure or dialysis
  • Klinefelter syndrome or other conditions affecting testosterone production
  • Alcohol use
  • Exposure to estrogen-containing products or endocrine-disrupting chemicals

How It's Diagnosed

  • 1Physical examination to assess breast tissue, distinguish from pseudogynecomastia (fat-only enlargement), and check for masses
  • 2Medical history review including medication use, substance use, and family history
  • 3Blood tests for hormone levels including testosterone, estradiol, LH, and DHEAS
  • 4Thyroid function tests to rule out hyperthyroidism
  • 5Liver and kidney function tests
  • 6Mammography or breast ultrasound to evaluate tissue composition and rule out breast cancer
  • 7Testicular ultrasound if a testicular abnormality is suspected

How is Gynecomastia treated?

At Aesthetx, we offer several approaches for gynecomastia:

Gynecomastia Surgery

Gynecomastia surgery (male breast reduction) is a surgical procedure that removes excess breast tissue, fat, and sometimes skin to correct overdevelop...

Learn more →

Liposuction

Liposuction is a surgical procedure that removes excess fat deposits from specific areas of the body using a hollow tube called a cannula and suction....

Learn more →

Prognosis and Recovery

  • In newborns, gynecomastia typically resolves within a few months as maternal estrogen clears
  • In adolescents, more than 90% of cases resolve spontaneously within one to two years
  • Persistent gynecomastia lasting longer than 12 months may become fibrotic and less likely to resolve without intervention
  • Surgical treatment generally produces lasting results with high patient satisfaction
  • Gynecomastia is not life-threatening but can cause significant psychological impact

Frequently Asked Questions

Gynecomastia is a benign enlargement of breast glandular tissue in males caused by a hormonal imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. It can affect one or both breasts and is common during puberty, in newborns, and in men over 50. The condition is distinct from pseudogynecomastia, which involves fat accumulation without glandular tissue growth.
Common signs include a firm or rubbery mass beneath the nipple, breast tenderness or sensitivity, and visible swelling in one or both breasts. The enlargement may be asymmetric. Some individuals also experience nipple discharge, though this is less common.
Gynecomastia results from an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. Common causes include normal hormonal changes during puberty or aging, medications such as spironolactone or finasteride, medical conditions like liver disease or thyroid disorders, and substance use including anabolic steroids and marijuana.
Seek medical evaluation for new or rapidly growing breast tissue, breast pain or tenderness that persists, nipple discharge (especially if bloody or dark), a hard or fixed lump, or if the condition causes significant distress. Prompt evaluation can help rule out rare conditions like male breast cancer.
Treatment depends on the cause and severity. Many cases resolve on their own, particularly in adolescents. Options include addressing underlying causes, adjusting medications, hormone-blocking medications for persistent cases, and surgery (male breast reduction) for cosmetically significant gynecomastia that has not responded to other approaches.
In many cases, yes. Newborn gynecomastia typically clears within a few months, and most adolescent cases resolve within one to two years. However, gynecomastia lasting longer than 12 months may become fibrotic and less likely to resolve without intervention. Persistent cases in adults often benefit from medical evaluation.
Gynecomastia surgery, also called male breast reduction, typically involves removal of excess glandular tissue through a small incision near the areola. Liposuction may be combined with excision when both glandular and fatty tissue are present. The procedure is generally performed on an outpatient basis.

Your Physicians

Dr. Kamakshi R. Zeidler

Dr. K. Zeidler

MD, FACS

Dr. Dino Elyassnia

Dr. D. Elyassnia

MD, FACS

Dr. Jane Weston

Dr. J. Weston

MD, FACS

Dr. Bao Tran

Dr. B. Tran

MD

Dr. Shirley Liu

Dr. S. Liu

MD, MHS

Dr. Michele Koo

Dr. M. Koo

MD, FACS

Dr. Rick Lehman

Dr. R. Lehman

MD, FACS

Dr. Jean Gillon

Dr. J. Gillon

MD, FACS

Dr. Amelia K. Hausauer

Dr. A. Hausauer

MD, FAAD

9 board-certified physicians across 4 locations

Sources & References

This article draws from 6 sources, including peer-reviewed research, leading medical institutions.

Government & Research

Medical Institutions

Educational & General

Medically reviewed by Dr. Kamakshi R. Zeidler, MD, FACS · Last reviewed: 2026-04-10