Publicado por Dr. Miguel Fernández Calderón: 28/03/2023
Swelling of male breast tissue can be a difficult condition for young men to face. It is uncomfortable and embarrassing, and that is why parents should deal with the problem, so that their sons can have a calm adolescence. Getting informed is the best way to face the situation, so we want to talk to you about gynecomastia in teenagers or pubertal gynecomastia; we will talk about what it is, its causes and how it is removed.
What is gynecomastia in teenagers?
Gynecomastia at puberty is a condition in which boys who are in the pre-adolescent or adolescent stage develop breasts similar to those of women.
Excess breast tissue can start to appear in boys as young as 10, and at the latest it can show up at 15.
If your son is going through this situation and you have wondered at what age gynecomastia in teenagers goes away, it is important to know that in most cases this condition clears up between 6 months and 2 years after it appears, without any need for treatment. At the latest, this happens by the end of adolescence.
If, once the growth process is over, the breast tissue remains in the shape of breasts, the condition can now be considered permanent.
Generally, hormonal changes are responsible for the growth of male breasts in adolescence, but there can also be other causes, although these are the minority of cases.
Pubertal gynecomastia should not be confused with pseudogynecomastia, which may be the result of fat accumulating in the area, possibly from being overweight.
How is gynecomastia in teenagers removed?
As we have explained, in adolescence gynecomastia is generally a temporary condition. But if the male breast tissue does not disappear once this stage is over, treatment will need to be considered.
If the patient has already been assessed and it is determined that his condition is not pseudogynecomastia, then it is important to start considering the treatment that can remove the excess tissue in the chest area.
The first thing the specialist has to find is the cause of the problem; if you would like a professional assessment you can book an appointment. Should the reason the pubertal gynecomastia developed require some specific treatment, the doctor will prescribe it.
Medication
In certain adolescent patients, treatment with drugs that regulate hormone levels can be used, reducing the amount of oestrogen, which can help reduce the excess breast tissue in males.
Gynecomastia surgery
But most patients need a gynecomastia operation, which is surgery to correct the condition and remove the excess breast tissue.
Depending on how severe the case is, the best procedure for the patient will be decided.
When it comes to mild to moderate cases, treatment for pubertal gynecomastia may involve traditional liposuction, together with ultrasound-assisted liposuction. And, in addition, surgery to remove the excess tissue, as needed.
In these patients, traditional liposuction uses a cannula that is inserted to remove all the fat in the breast area. It is assisted with ultrasound liposuction because that works to break down certain cells and tissues that can then be suctioned out along with the fat.
And finally, if liposuction could not restore the shape, a half-circle incision is made around the areola, to remove the excess breast tissue through it and then restore the shape of the chest.
When there is too much breast tissue in the area, we could be talking about severe cases of gynecomastia in teenagers. And in these patients it is not enough simply to make the incision and remove the tissue. Because it turns out that once the tissue is removed they are left with hanging skin that will need to be taken away to give the chest a masculine look again.
In these patients the skin can be removed by making a circular incision all the way around the areola, and then joining it back to the edge of the areola. This is how the extra skin is removed and the shape of the chest is restored. If the patient has a significant excess of skin or the case is complicated, the surgeon may decide to use techniques employed for breast reduction in women.
If your son has not yet reached adolescence and you would like to know about treatment for gynecomastia in children, the best thing to do is consult your paediatrician. This is because he is still young and it is important to establish the cause first, in order to tackle the underlying problem.
Causes of gynecomastia in teenagers
Hormonal imbalance
The main cause of gynecomastia in teenagers is physiological; the result of a hormonal imbalance in which oestrogen production is stimulated and androgen production is inhibited. When more female hormones (oestrogens) are produced in men, the consequence can be the appearance of male breasts.
This imbalance can be temporary, part of all the changes that take place during puberty. So after a while it tends to disappear. However, for many teenagers who suffer because of this situation, gynecomastia is still there at 17, causing anxiety, depression, stress and low self-esteem.
Being overweight or obese
Besides hormonal changes, there are other causes of gynecomastia in teenagers. It may be the result of, or be made worse by, being overweight or obese, or by genetic causes. It can also be a side effect of taking some drug or medication.
Tumours or genetic conditions
In a very small percentage of gynecomastia cases, the cause may be the presence of a tumour. Or existing genetic conditions, such as Klinefelter syndrome, in which males have an extra X chromosome.
Learning more about gynecomastia in teenagers or pubertal gynecomastia, its causes and how it is removed can be the starting point for supporting your teenage son who is suffering because of this condition and helping him find the right solution for his particular case.
