Is it normal for boys to have big breasts? Let's talk about Gynecomastia!

You may have seen, or maybe it has happened to you, that your friend's chest, that is, the breast area, seems to be a little bigger. Especially at a young age, that is, around the age of thirteen, fourteen, fifteen. Some people are scared and embarrassed when they see this. So today we are going to talk about what causes this, is it dangerous, and what can be done. In medical science, this is called gynecomastia.

What is Gynecomastia? Let's understand it simply.

Simply put, gynecomastia is the development of breast tissue in boys, especially young boys. Just like girls, breasts get a little bigger. This usually happens due to hormonal changes during puberty . In most cases, it goes away on its own within a few months to a couple of years without any treatment. So, first of all, it's nothing to worry about.

Important: Many boys develop this condition, and most of the time it gets better on its own.

What are the symptoms of this? Do you feel this way too?

Now let's see what symptoms we can look out for in this condition of gynecomastia.

• The main thing is that your chest area, that is, the area where the breasts are, starts to look like a little enlargement, a swelling .
• This may be on just one side, or it may be on both sides . One side may even appear slightly larger than the other.
• Sometimes, when you feel under your nipple, you may feel a small, rubbery ball-like lump . This is actually breast tissue that has developed.
• Also, the area where the breasts are located may be a little sore, and there may be pain when touched . This pain may be felt a little more, especially in the first few months of this condition. For some, this may just feel like a slight heaviness.

If you have one or more of these symptoms, it could be gynecomastia.

Why is this happening? Let's explore some of the reasons!

The main cause of gynecomastia is puberty . However, there can be several other causes.

Puberty and the story of hormones

We all have chemicals called hormones in our bodies. These are like messengers that control various functions in our bodies. Boys mainly have the male hormone testosterone , and in addition, a female hormone called estrogen in very small amounts.

During puberty, these hormone levels change dramatically. Sometimes the balance between these hormones can be a little off . That is, the amount of estrogen can be slightly higher than the amount of testosterone. That is when breast tissue begins to develop. This is the main reason why gynecomastia occurs at a young age. This is very common.

Medicines, drugs and other things

Sometimes, gynecomastia can also be caused by the things we use.

• Certain medications: Some medications for heart disease, high blood pressure, and mental illness can cause this condition. If you are taking any medication, it is a good idea to ask your doctor if it is the cause.
• Drugs: The use of drugs such as alcohol, marijuana, and amphetamines can also be a cause of this.
• Anabolic Steroids: Some people use these to build muscle and increase strength. This is also a major cause of gynecomastia.
• Some herbal supplements: Even though things like tea tree oil and lavender oil are used topically, some studies have shown that these may be linked to gynecomastia.

Are there other rare diseases?

Most of the time, gynecomastia is not serious. However, very rarely , it can be a symptom of another medical condition. For example, testicular problems, liver disease, kidney disease, or thyroid problems. But these are very rare. A doctor can check this for you.

Is this really breasts? Or is it fat? Pseudogynecomastia

There's another important thing here. Sometimes, fat deposits in the chest area of ​​boys can make them look like breasts. This is called pseudogynecomastia . It means "false gynecomastia." In this case, there is no actual growth of breast tissue, only fat.

Now the question is, how do you know if you have true gynecomastia or pseudogynecomastia?

Usually, in Gynecomastia, when you feel under the nipple, you feel a firm, rubbery lump, as I mentioned earlier. That is glandular tissue. However, in Pseudogynecomastia, the entire breast feels soft and fatty, and there is no lump like that.

But to be sure, it's best to see a doctor and get checked out . Then the doctor can examine you and tell you exactly what the situation is.

Who is most likely to develop this condition?

You might be surprised to hear this! About one in two boys (about 50%) will develop gynecomastia, either in one or both breasts, during puberty . This means it's much more common than you might think. So if you're experiencing this, remember that you're not alone.

How does a doctor diagnose this?

When you go to a doctor to talk about this, the first thing he or she will do is ask you a few questions. How long has this been going on, is it painful, are you taking any other medications, has anyone in your family ever had this? Then he or she will examine your chest area .

Most of the time, just by asking these questions and examining your breasts, your doctor can tell if you have gynecomastia. Usually, no other tests are needed . However, very rarely, if your doctor has any further concerns, they may order a few blood tests , to check your hormone levels or to rule out other medical conditions.

What are the treatments?

The best news is that most of the time, gynecomastia does not require any special treatment .

• It gets better on its own: As I mentioned before, gynecomastia that occurs during puberty usually goes away on its own within a few months to a year and a half to two years. The breasts will flatten out again. The most important thing is to be patient.
• Medication: Sometimes, if this condition is severe, meaning the breasts are very large or there is a lot of pain, a doctor may prescribe medication to help balance hormones .
• Surgery: If the condition does not improve after puberty and years have passed, and it is affecting you emotionally, then surgery to reduce breast size can be considered. However, this is only done as a last resort.

What can you do? How can you make up your mind?

It's very normal to feel embarrassed, embarrassed, and self-conscious when something like this happens during puberty. Everyone understands that.

• Clothing choices: Some people find that wearing loose-fitting shirts can help reduce the visibility of this to others, which can also help them feel a little more comfortable.
• Give it time: Remember, this is often temporary. It will get better with time. So be patient.
• Talk: If this is bothering you a lot, if it's bothering you, or if it's been going on for more than two years, definitely talk to a doctor . He or she can give you the best advice. Talking to your doctor can also help you overcome your fears.
• A healthy lifestyle: Eating a balanced diet and exercising are good for your overall health . For someone with pseudogynecomastia, this can also help reduce body fat.

So, what is the most important thing we should take home from this story? (Take-Home Message)

Okay, so now you have a good idea about the gynecomastia we talked about today. Here are some of the most important things to remember:

• Gynecomastia is a very common condition among boys going through puberty . You are not alone.
• Most of the time , this is temporary and will get better on its own without any treatment .
• The main reason for this is hormonal changes .
• There is also something called pseudogynecomastia, which is caused by fat deposits.
• If you have any doubts, fears, or embarrassment about this, or if it doesn't get better over time, the best thing to do is to see a doctor and talk to them .

Don't be afraid, don't be ashamed. This is a medical condition. Help is available.

So, I hope this information is helpful to you. If you or a friend of yours has something like this, don't hesitate to get an accurate understanding of it and seek medical advice if necessary.

Gynecomastia, male breasts, puberty, hormones, adolescent health, Sri Lanka, Sinhala