What is gynecomastia?

Also known as: male breast enlargement, enlarged breast in men

When infants, boys, or men have benign (non-cancerous) enlarged breasts, the condition is known as gynecomastia.

Physiologic gynecomastia commonly occurs in:

• Newborns ( ~ 90% and usually resolves in ~ 4 weeks )
• Adolescents ( ~ 50% usually around 13-14 years of age )
• Older men ( > 50 years of age )

Gynecomastia is self-limiting but can cause physical discomfort, anxiety and stress. Non-physiological gynecomastia can occur at any age and is caused by a variety of disorders and/or medications.

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Reviewed by: Jack Wolfsdorf, MD, FAAP

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM