How does gynecomastia affect boys and men at different ages?

For men and boys of all ages, it is very common to experience some degree of male breast enlargement. Gynecomastia is a condition in which excess glandular breast tissue leads to an enlargement of the male breasts. Although gynecomastia may occur at any stage of a man's life, the causes of the condition and recommended treatment options may differ depending on the patient's age.

Gynecomastia in adolescents

Somewhere between 50% and 60% of adolescent males suffer from gynecomastia according to statistics collected by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). For younger individuals, the symptoms of gynecomastia are generally caused by higher-than-normal levels of estrogen in the body related to puberty. It's quite common for the chest contour to naturally flatten out around the time a man enters his 20s, but this isn't always the case.

Gynecomastia in adult men

Gynecomastia is even more prevalent among adult men. The same NIH study estimated that roughly 65% of men between the ages of 27 and 92 years experienced some degree of gynecomastia. Although the symptoms may be similar, the causes of gynecomastia in adolescents and adults are very different. In addition to hormone imbalances that occur over time, male breast enlargement in adults can be caused by certain medical conditions including thyroid problems or cancer of the pituitary gland. Gynecomastia can also be caused by consumption of alcohol and recreational drugs like marijuana.

Treatment of gynecomastia

For any man who desires to reduce their enlarged breasts, male breast reduction surgery can help. During a male breast reduction procedure, glandular tissue, fat and skin are removed from the breast to help create a flatter, more masculine chest contour. The physical results of this procedure are often incredible, but the emotional effects can be just as significant. It's natural for men to experience a dramatic boost in self-esteem following their surgery. As an added bonus, the fat that is removed during male breast reduction can also be used to help sculpt the pectoralis muscle if the patient wants this.

Treating gynecomastia can help men of all ages reveal their best selves and feel better about their appearance. However, to achieve the best possible aesthetic results, it's important to find a board-certified plastic surgeon with considerable experience in male breast reduction to perform your procedure.