Gynaecomastia

Having larger breasts than usual as a man or boy is called gynaecomastia (guy-nee-co-MAS-tee-ah). This might sound worrying, but it's actually quite common and often nothing serious.

What Does It Look Like?

If you have gynaecomastia, you might notice:

• Your breasts are bigger than usual
• Your nipples or breasts look puffy or swollen
• Your breasts or nipples feel sore or tender
• It can happen to just one breast or both

This can happen to men of any age, including teenage boys and newborn babies.

What Causes It?

There are several reasons why this might happen:

Natural hormone changes - This is the most common cause. It often happens during puberty when hormone levels change quickly. It can also happen to men over 50 as their hormone levels naturally change with age.

Being overweight - Carrying extra weight can make your breasts look larger.

Some medicines - Certain tablets can cause this as a side effect. Never stop taking prescribed medicines without speaking to your GP first.

Health conditions - Problems with your thyroid gland, kidneys, or liver can sometimes cause enlarged breasts.

Drug use - Using anabolic steroids or other drugs can trigger this condition.

In newborn babies - Sometimes pregnancy hormones from the mother can affect newborn boys, causing temporary breast enlargement.

Do I Need to Worry?

In most cases, enlarged breasts in men are harmless. If it happens during puberty or in newborn babies, it usually goes away on its own over time.

However, you should speak to your GP if you have:

• Worries about how your breasts look or feel
• Pain in your breast or nipple that won't go away
• A lump in your breast or nipple
• Changes to your breast or nipple skin, like a rash, dimpling (that looks like orange peel), or redness
• Any discharge or bleeding from your nipples

Don't feel embarrassed about talking to your doctor or practice nurse. They deal with these symptoms regularly and are there to help.

What Treatment Is Available?

Many men don't need any treatment at all. But if enlarged breasts are bothering you, your GP might suggest:

Medicines - These can help balance your hormones, but they're not suitable for everyone.

Losing weight - If you're overweight, losing weight might help reduce the size of your breasts.

Treating underlying conditions - If another health problem is causing your enlarged breasts, treating that condition might help.

Surgery - In some cases, surgery can reduce breast size. However, this isn't usually available on the NHS unless there are special circumstances.

The Bottom Line

Having enlarged breasts as a man can feel embarrassing, but remember it's very common. Most of the time it's harmless and may not need any treatment. If you're concerned about any changes to your breasts or nipples, don't hesitate to speak to your GP. They can check if there's an underlying cause that needs treatment and discuss your options.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.