Home Care:

Apply cold compresses and use analgesics as your health care provider recommends if swollen breasts are also tender.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your health care provider if the breasts have developed abnormally or if there is swelling or pain in one or both breasts.

Note: Gynecomastia in children who have not yet reached puberty should always be checked by a health care provider.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your health care provider will take a medical history and perform a physical examination.

Medical history questions may include:

• Is one or both breasts involved?
• What is the age and gender of the patient?
• What medications is the person taking?
• How long has gynecomastia been present?
• Is the gynecomastia staying the same, getting better, or getting worse?
• What other symptoms are present?

Testing may not be necessary, but the following tests may be done to rule out certain diseases:

• Blood hormone level tests
• Breast ultrasound
• Liver and kidney function studies
• Mammogram

Intervention:

If an underlying condition is found, it is treated. Gynecomastia during puberty usually goes away on its own; however, persistent, extreme, or uneven breast enlargement may be embarrassing for an adolescent boy. Breast reduction surgery may be recommended.

After seeing your health care provider:

If your health care provider made a diagnosis related to gynecomastia, you may want to note that diagnosis in your personal medical record.