Gynecomastia

What Is It?

Gynecomastia is a condition denoted by enlarged male breasts.  The common term used for this condition is "Man Boobs".  It is strictly a male disease and is any growth of the adipose (fatty) and glandular tissue in a male breast.  True gynecomastia is the excessive growth of glandular tissue.  It is a very common condition affecting between 40% and 60% of all males and can appear at any time in a man's life.  The disease is not physically harmful, but some men with abnormally large breasts, or uneven breasts, become self-conscious about their physical appearance.  The disease is considered a benign condition with no known cause, in other words, an idiopathic condition.  It differs from pseudogynecomastia, which is simply excess fat in the breasts of men.  Occasionally it can indicate more dangerous underlying conditions. 

Gynecomastia is found in infants, adolescents, and adults and occurs in about 30% of older men.  There are some medical causes of gynecomastia, but for the most part, there is no known cause or associated medical condition.  It is often caused by hormone changes.  If there is another health problem involved, that problem will have to be addressed first.

Unlike the fatty, or adipose, tissue present in pseudogynecomastia, the breast tissue of gynecomastia is firm.  It is only about an inch larger than the nipple and located directly beneath one or both nipples.

There are few symptoms associated with this disease, the obvious symptom being enlargement of the breasts.  Additionally, your breasts might become sensitive, especially your nipples.  In extreme cases, the breast may secrete milk.