• Home

Home > Medical Reference > Encyclopedia (English)

Toggle: English / Spanish

Gynecomastia

• Overview
• Treatment

Definition:

Gynecomastia is the development of prominent breast tissue in the male.

Alternative Names:

Breast development in a male

Considerations:

The most common cause of gynecomastia in the male is puberty. The condition may occur in one or both breasts and begins as a small lump beneath the nipple, which may be tender. The breasts often enlarge unevenly. Gynecomastia during puberty is not uncommon, is self-limiting, and usually goes away over a period of months.

In newborns, breast development may be associated with milk flow ( galactorrhea ). This condition usually lasts for a couple of weeks and in rare cases may persist until the child is two years old. It is caused by exposure to maternal hormones.

Other causes of gynecomastia include decreased production of testosterone, chronic liver disease , kidney failure,exposure to estrogens or androgens (often taken secretly for body building), marijuana use, and some medications (such as eplerenone (Inspra), ACE-inhibitors, and phenytoin (Dilantin)). Rare causes include tumors, genetic defects, or an overactive thyroid .

Common Causes:

• Puberty
• Exposure to estrogen hormone
• Exposure to androgen hormones
• Marijuana use
• Tumors
• Genetic disorders
• Chronic liver disease
• Kidney failure
• Side effects of some medications

• Review Date: 2/27/2006
• Reviewed By: Robert Hurd, MD, Department of Biology, College of Arts and Sciences, Xavier University, Cincinnati, OH. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process . A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2007 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.