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Adult gynecomastia develops any time after a man’s early twenties and is often caused by unresolved gynecomastia formed during adolescence. Gynecomastia is caused by male breast enlargement or increased growth of male breast tissue and can cause a variety of adverse physical and mental symptoms.
Causes of Adult Gynecomastia
Gynecomastia is not caused by weight or the buildup of fat. It is the development of glandular breast tissue that often causes breast pain in one or both breasts and cannot be treated with diet and exercise alone.
Although gynecomastia often begins during a man’s late teens or early twenties, it is possible to develop this condition later. 1 in 4 adult men develop gynecomastia and breast enlargement usually peaks between the ages of 50-80 years old. About 25% of adult gynecomastia cases are the result of unresolved adolescent gynecomastia but there are many other possible causes, including:
- Drug-induced: 10-25%
- Malnutrition: 8%
- Low testosterone (primary hypogonadism): 8%
- Testicular tumor: 3%
- Low sperm count (secondary hypogonadism): 2%
- Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid):1.5%
- Unknown Causes: 25%
Andropause
Low-T or low testosterone is a common cause of gynecomastia. More specifically, low-T brings on andropause, which is similar to menopause for women. This condition causes estrogen levels to increase and testosterone to decrease, which leads to breast tissue growth. Other signs of low-T include low sex drive, decreased semen volume, hair loss, fatigue, increased body fat, mood changes, and a decrease in bone mass (osteoporosis).
Other medical issues caused by unbalanced hormone levels might be hormonally active tumors or problems with the pituitary gland or adrenal glands. If these health concerns are related to your gynecomastia, treating them may resolve your symptoms.
Drug-Induced Gynecomastia
Steroid use among bodybuilders is an especially common drug-related cause of gynecomastia, but other drugs may also be responsible for your enlarged breasts:
- Blood pressure medications such as calcium channel blockers or ACE inhibitor medications
- Diuretics like Spironolactone/Aldactone
- Antibiotics like isoniazid, metronidazole, and ketoconazole
- Ulcer medications like Tagamet, Zantac, and Prilosec
- Androgen deprivation therapy to treat prostate cancer
- Diazepam/Valium
- Heart medication like Digitoxin
- Skincare products containing tea tree and lavender oils
- High active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for HIV
- Drug abuse from marijuana, alcohol, heroin, or anabolic steroids
Meet DR. DELGADO
Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Delgado is an award-winning gynecomastia surgeon with 30+ years of experience treating some of the most complicated cases of male breast growth around the world. He is also the owner and operator of Gynecomastia.org, the largest gynecomastia forum in the world that has the goals of educating, supporting, and offering guidance to those men and families affected. Dr. Delgado is an expert in the field and donates his time toward both the treatment of gynecomastia and the advocacy of education in the surgical community.
VIEW FULL BIOTreatment Options for Adult Gynecomastia
Adult gynecomastia usually presents itself as a more advanced development of breast tissue and/or excess skin and often requires gynecomastia surgery. In some cases, liposuction without surgical excision of the glandular tissue may be enough to treat your symptoms. However, more invasive methods like male breast reduction surgery may be necessary if there is a significant amount of excess breast tissue.
Dr. Delgado will assess your needs, the quality of your skin, and the progression of your breast development to determine the best treatment plan. Although certain medications that block estrogen receptors or estrogen production are currently being investigated, gynecomastia surgery is the only clinically proven method to treat gynecomastia. Dr. Delgado offers a variety of surgical techniques based on the severity of each patient’s swollen breast tissue and their cosmetic goals.
The Story of Three Men
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“Moobs”, Also Known as Gynecomastia or Male Breast Reduction
There a lot of slang terms for males with large breasts. Moobs, man boobs, man breasts, man chi chis — none of these names are complimentary, and can often wound gynecomastia sufferers. Fortunately, “gynecomastia surgery” offers a solution. Dr. Miguel Delgado, Jr., M.D., is a plastic surgeon and gynecomastia specialist…
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726+ Reviews
I highly recommend Dr. Delgado if you are considering gynecomastia surgery!
– Michael Cruz
Read ReviewsI had the procedure completed about 2 months ago and I am very pleased with the outcome. My chest finally looks the way I’ve wanted it to look for years. The muscle definition is finally there and I can wear tighter fitting shirts and workout gear without the discomfort of feeling self conscious about my chest.
726+ Reviews
I highly recommend Dr. Delgado if you are considering gynecomastia surgery!
– Michael Cruz
I had the procedure completed about 2 months ago and I am very pleased with the outcome. My chest finally looks the way I’ve wanted it to look for years. The muscle definition is finally there and I can wear tighter fitting shirts and workout gear without the discomfort of feeling self conscious about my chest.
Schedule a Consultation
If you have recently developed gynecomastia or have unresolved symptoms from adolescence, schedule a consultation with Dr. Delgado to regain a masculine chest you can feel confident about. You can meet with Dr. Delgado at his California offices or schedule a free virtual consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if gynecomastia is not treated?
How can I reduce gynecomastia quickly?
Can you train gynecomastia away?
When should I be concerned about gynecomastia?
Is gynecomastia a serious problem?
What are the risks of gynecomastia?
Can gynecomastia be life-threatening?
Is gynecomastia a risky surgery?
Can gynecomastia grow back after surgery?
What causes adult gynecomastia?
MIGUEL DELGADO, M.D.
Dr. Delgado, MD is a world-recognized plastic surgeon and specialist in the treatment of male breast enlargement, also called gynecomastia. He has developed new techniques and owns and operates gynecomastia.org, which has become the largest gynecomastia forum in the world. Dr. Delgado holds the two most coveted credentials; the certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgery.