Published by Dr MIguel Fernadez Calderón: 28/03/2023
Swollen male breast tissue can be a difficult condition for young men to cope with. It is uncomfortable and embarrassing, which is why parents need to take care of the problem, so that they can have a peaceful adolescence. Being informed is the best way to deal with the situation, so we want to talk to you about the gynecomastia in adolescents or puberal gynecomastiaWe will talk about what it is, the causes and how to get rid of it.
What is gynecomastia in adolescents?
Gynecomastia in puberty is a condition in which males who are in their pre-adolescence or adolescence develop breasts similar to those of females.
Excess breast tissue may begin to appear in children as young as 10 years of age, and at the latest it may occur at 15 years of age.
If your child is going through this situation and you have wondered at what age does gynecomastia disappear in adolescents? It is important for you to know that in most cases this condition disappears between 6 months and 2 years after its appearance, without the need of any treatment. At the latest this happens at the end of the adolescent period.
If at the end of the growth process, the breast tissue remains in the form of breasts, the condition can be considered permanent.
Generally, hormonal changes are responsible for the growth of male breasts in adolescence, but there may also be other causes, although they are the minority of cases.
Pubertal gynecomastia should not be confused with pseudogynecomastia, which may be the result of fat accumulation in the area, possibly due to overweight.
How is gynecomastia removed in adolescents?
As we have explained, in adolescence gynecomastia is generally a transitory condition. But if after the end of this stage, the breast tissue does not disappear in males, it will be necessary to think about treatment.
If the patient has already been evaluated and it is determined that the condition is not pseudogynecomastia, then it is important to start thinking about treatment that can remove the excess tissue in the breast area.
The first thing the specialist must find is the cause of the problem, if you want a professional evaluation you can make an appointment. In case the reason for which the pubertal gynecomastia was generated requires a specific treatment, the doctor must indicate it.
Drugs
In certain adolescent patients, treatment with drugs that can regulate hormone levels by reducing the amount of estrogen may be used, which can help reduce excess breast tissue in boys.
Gynecomastia surgery
But in most patients a gynecomastia operation is required, which is surgery to correct the condition and remove excess breast tissue.
Depending on the severity of the case, the best procedure for the patient will be decided.
For mild to moderate cases, treatment of pubertal gynecomastia may involve traditional liposuction in conjunction with ultrasound-assisted liposuction. And, additionally surgery to remove excess tissue, as needed.
In these patients traditional liposuction uses a cannula that is inserted to remove all the fat in the breast area. They are assisted with ultrasound liposuction because it works to break down some 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 cut is made around the areola to remove the excess breast tissue through this incision and then restore the shape of the breast.
When there is too much breast tissue in the area, we could talk about severe cases of gynecomastia in adolescents. And in these patients it does not only work to make the incision and remove the tissue. Because it turns out that when the tissue is removed, there is skin left hanging that will need to be removed to give the chest a masculine appearance again.
In these patients the skin can be removed by making a circular cut around the entire areola, and then reattaching it to the edge of the areola. In this way the extra skin is removed and the shape of the breast is restored. If the patient presents a significant excess of skin or the case is complicated, the surgeon may decide to use techniques used to reduce breasts in women.
If your child has not yet reached adolescence and you want to know about a gynecomastia treatment for children, it is best to consult a pediatrician. This is because he is still small and it is important first to know the cause in order to attack the underlying problem.
Causes of gynecomastia in adolescents
Hormonal imbalance
The main cause of the presence of gynecomastia in adolescents is physiological; product of an imbalance in hormones, in which the production of estrogens is stimulated and the production of androgens is inhibited. When more female hormones (estrogens) are produced in men, the consequences can be the appearance of male breasts.
This imbalance may be temporary, typical of all the changes that occur during puberty. Therefore, after some time it tends to disappear. However, for many adolescents who suffer from this situation, gynecomastia at age 17 is still present, causing anxiety, depression, stress and low self-esteem.
Overweight or obesity
Besides hormonal changes, there are other causes of gynecomastia in adolescents. It may be caused or worsened in patients who are overweight or obese, or due to genetic causes. It may also be a side effect of taking a drug or medication.
Tumors or genetic conditions
In a very low percentage of cases of gynecomastia, the cause may be the presence of a tumor. Or by existing genetic conditions, such as the so-called Klinefelter's syndrome, in which males have an extra X chromosome.
Knowing more about adolescent or pubertal gynecomastia, its causes and how it is eliminated, can be the starting point to support your teenager who is suffering from this condition and help him find an appropriate solution for his particular case.
