Male Breast Reduction Onset of Gynecomastia

There are certain times of life when gynecomastia tends to be common. In male infants, small amounts of breast tissue around the areola can develop from the mother’s estrogen that circulates through the infant’s bloodstream right after birth. This condition is normal and self-limiting and resolves without intervention in 2-3 weeks. A rare cause of gynecomastia usually identified in childhood is Klinefelter syndrome. These patients have an extra X chromosome so they develop breasts in addition to a characteristic build, muscle weakness, and reduced genital development. Puberty is also a common stage for boys to develop benign breast enlargement. During this time, hormones are fluctuating and fullness in the male chest can be quite common. It is also a difficult time for boys because the social pressure at school can take a toll on the emotional well-being of these kids. Even though the condition is distressing to the boy and their parents, pubertal gynecomastia is self-limiting, and typically resolves without intervention in 1-2 years. Obesity during pubertal development may contribute to gynecomastia in adolescents and the condition often continues into adult life. The last spike in incidence occurs in men 50-80 years old. In this age group gynecomastia is relatively common from age-related hormone changes, weight fluctuations that have gone on over the years, and looser skin and tissue tone. For more information on breast reduction surgery, call today.