Breast tissue is present in all men. It is usually dormant but in some males it can grow and may even develop into a very feminine breast shape.
During adolescence it is surprisingly common for some breast growth to occur in boys triggered by pubertal hormonal changes. This typically settles once adulthood is reached but it may not do so. Breast tissue can also develop in adult men. Adult onset gynaecomastia may be triggered by some medicines, recreational drugs (marijuana, alcohol), steroids or weight gain. In rarer cases it may be caused by diseases affecting the liver, testicles or hormone control.
If gynaecomastia doesn’t go away, how is it treated?
Several surgical treatments can be used often in combination. The choice and combination of these depends upon the size, shape and texture of the breast tissue and also the quality and elasticity of the skin. The following treatments are listed in order of increasing complexity:
Liposuction
Surgical removal of breast tissue
Surgical removal of excess skin
Moving, reducing or grafting the nipples
It is important to have reasonable expectations because, like all operations, there are risks and limitations. Achieving exact symmetry and predicting how the skin and breast tissue will settle after surgery are principle limitations.
