Gynecomastia
What is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia is the enlargement or swelling of breast tissue in males. It happens when there is an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone hormones in the body. While all males produce small amounts of estrogen, too much estrogen or too little testosterone can cause breast tissue to grow.
This condition is surprisingly common. It affects up to 65 percent of teenage boys and adult men at some point in their lives. Gynecomastia can occur in one or both breasts. The tissue may feel tender or painful, or it may cause no discomfort at all.
Most cases are related to natural hormone shifts during puberty or aging. However, certain medications, health conditions, and lifestyle factors can also trigger the imbalance. Understanding the root cause through blood testing helps identify the best path forward for treatment and management.
Symptoms
- Swollen or enlarged breast tissue in one or both breasts
- Tenderness or sensitivity in the breast area
- Firm or rubbery tissue beneath the nipple
- Pain or discomfort when touching the chest
- Nipple discharge in rare cases
- Feeling of fullness or tightness in the breast tissue
Some men experience noticeable physical changes without any pain. Others have significant tenderness that affects daily activities. The degree of enlargement varies widely from person to person.
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Causes and risk factors
Gynecomastia develops when estrogen levels rise too high relative to testosterone. This hormone imbalance has many potential causes. During puberty, hormone levels naturally fluctuate, which explains why teenage boys often develop temporary breast tissue growth. In older men, testosterone production naturally declines with age, shifting the estrogen to testosterone ratio.
Certain medications can trigger gynecomastia, including some blood pressure drugs, antidepressants, antibiotics, and anabolic steroids. Health conditions like liver disease, kidney failure, thyroid disorders, and tumors can disrupt normal hormone production. Lifestyle factors also play a role. Heavy alcohol use, marijuana use, and obesity all increase estrogen levels. Understanding your specific hormone levels through blood testing helps identify the underlying cause.
How it's diagnosed
Doctors diagnose gynecomastia through physical examination and blood tests. During the exam, your doctor will check for lumps, tenderness, and the size of breast tissue. Blood tests measure hormone levels to identify the imbalance causing tissue growth. Key markers include estradiol, total estrogen, prolactin, and testosterone levels.
Rite Aid offers blood testing that measures estradiol and prolactin, two critical hormones involved in gynecomastia. Testing helps determine whether elevated estrogen or other hormonal issues are driving your symptoms. In some cases, imaging tests like mammograms or ultrasounds may be needed to rule out other conditions. Getting your hormone levels checked is the first step toward finding the root cause.
Treatment options
- Monitor the condition if it develops during puberty, as it often resolves on its own within 6 to 24 months
- Stop or switch medications that may be causing the hormone imbalance after consulting with your doctor
- Lose weight through balanced nutrition and regular exercise to reduce excess estrogen stored in fat tissue
- Limit alcohol consumption and avoid marijuana use, as both raise estrogen levels
- Treat underlying conditions like thyroid disorders, liver disease, or low testosterone that affect hormone balance
- Take medications that block estrogen effects or reduce estrogen production in persistent cases
- Consider surgical removal of breast tissue if the condition causes significant distress or does not respond to other treatments
Concerned about Gynecomastia? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Gynecomastia in adult men is caused by an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. This can happen due to declining testosterone with age, medications like blood pressure drugs or antidepressants, liver or kidney disease, or lifestyle factors like alcohol use and obesity. Blood testing helps identify which hormonal imbalance is responsible.
Gynecomastia itself is not dangerous and is almost always benign. However, it is important to get evaluated by a doctor to rule out rare causes like breast cancer or tumors that produce hormones. A physical exam and blood tests can help distinguish gynecomastia from more serious conditions.
Gynecomastia that develops during puberty usually goes away on its own within 6 to 24 months. In adults, whether it resolves depends on the cause. If a medication or lifestyle factor is responsible, stopping the trigger may allow breast tissue to shrink. Persistent cases may require medical treatment or surgery.
Blood tests for gynecomastia measure hormone levels including estradiol, total estrogen, prolactin, testosterone, and thyroid hormones. These tests identify hormone imbalances that cause breast tissue growth. Rite Aid offers blood testing that includes estradiol and prolactin measurements to help uncover the root cause.
Yes, losing weight can help reduce gynecomastia in some cases. Fat tissue produces estrogen, so reducing body fat lowers overall estrogen levels. Weight loss combined with strength training helps rebalance hormones naturally. However, true glandular breast tissue may not shrink with weight loss alone.
Common medications that cause gynecomastia include spironolactone, cimetidine, some antidepressants, anti-anxiety drugs, antibiotics, and anabolic steroids. These drugs affect hormone production or block testosterone receptors. If you suspect your medication is causing breast tissue growth, talk to your doctor about alternatives before making any changes.
Gynecomastia is firm glandular breast tissue that develops beneath the nipple due to hormone imbalances. Chest fat is soft adipose tissue distributed more evenly across the chest without a firm mass. A doctor can tell the difference during a physical exam by feeling for the rubbery, disc-shaped tissue characteristic of gynecomastia.
See a doctor if you notice new breast tissue growth, pain, tenderness, or nipple discharge. Also seek evaluation if the condition causes significant emotional distress or has not improved after several months. Your doctor will perform an exam and order blood tests to check your hormone levels and rule out underlying health issues.
Yes, high estrogen in men can cause decreased sex drive, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and increased body fat. Some men also experience mood changes or depression. Blood testing helps identify elevated estrogen levels so you can address the imbalance through lifestyle changes, medication adjustments, or targeted treatment.
Insurance coverage for gynecomastia treatment varies by plan and severity. Diagnostic blood tests and office visits are usually covered. Medical treatments like medications may also be covered if the condition causes physical symptoms or results from an underlying health issue. Cosmetic surgery is typically not covered unless it causes significant physical or psychological distress.