A Gynecomastia Conversation
TDEAR DR. DONOHUE: I am a 14 year old with a really embarrassing problem. I have breasts as big as many of the girls in my class. I have a lot of joking, and I want to undress for gym class. What I can do about it? - JP
Dear JP: You have gynecomastia (GUY-nuh-coe-MASS-te-uh), a growth of male breast tissue. This happens three times in life shortly after birth, at puberty and old age. The reason is the imbalance of women to male hormones.
Two thirds of boys develop gynecomastia during puberty. That's how common it is. Many do not have an extension as great as yours, but most children this age show a breast growth. The sinuses are almost always lower in months to two years. Only a few are left with permanent expansion.
If you can hold it for about six months, you may see the problem disappear. If life is really miserable for you or if you wait six months and no change, then talk to your parents. They can cause your doctor, who will explain how surgery can remove the unwanted tissue. Not a big deal. And it is justified, if your life is ruined.
Sometimes gynecomastia is a sign of a real threat to health. Testicular tumors, an overactive thyroid gland, liver cirrhosis and severe kidney disease are some of the conditions under which male breasts grow. None of them is common for someone your age.
street drugs and medications can also promote gynecomastia. Marijuana is a good example. And so do androgens, male hormones used by bodybuilders to stimulate muscle growth. That sounds like a contradiction, male hormones increase breast size. The reason is that when large doses are taken male hormones, some of the load becomes hormonal female hormones
Dear JP: You have gynecomastia (GUY-nuh-coe-MASS-te-uh), a growth of male breast tissue. This happens three times in life shortly after birth, at puberty and old age. The reason is the imbalance of women to male hormones.
Two thirds of boys develop gynecomastia during puberty. That's how common it is. Many do not have an extension as great as yours, but most children this age show a breast growth. The sinuses are almost always lower in months to two years. Only a few are left with permanent expansion.
If you can hold it for about six months, you may see the problem disappear. If life is really miserable for you or if you wait six months and no change, then talk to your parents. They can cause your doctor, who will explain how surgery can remove the unwanted tissue. Not a big deal. And it is justified, if your life is ruined.
Sometimes gynecomastia is a sign of a real threat to health. Testicular tumors, an overactive thyroid gland, liver cirrhosis and severe kidney disease are some of the conditions under which male breasts grow. None of them is common for someone your age.
street drugs and medications can also promote gynecomastia. Marijuana is a good example. And so do androgens, male hormones used by bodybuilders to stimulate muscle growth. That sounds like a contradiction, male hormones increase breast size. The reason is that when large doses are taken male hormones, some of the load becomes hormonal female hormones
