I think I have gynecomastia. Will it get worse? (Photo)

Gynecomastia is a common occurrence in boys going through puberty.There are different types of #gynecomastia.  Categorized as #physiologic gynecomastia, up to 2/3 of boys going through puberty develop some form of gynecomastia. This form of gynecomastia is due to the surges in testosterone and estrogen which often lead to an imbalance of the testosterone:estrogen ratio. Puberty is a difficult time for most boys, with many changes occurring not just physically but also emotionally. Developing gynecomastia during this age can affect the self-image and confidence of a teenager. The peak incidence occurs around 14 years of age.In up to 75% of boys who develop pubertal gynecomastia, it will disappear without treatment within 2 years. In 90% of boys with pubertal gynecomastia, it will disappear without treatment within 3 years. So deciding who needs surgery is very important in this age group because a majority of these boys will not need any intervention.

#Normal Gynecomastia is usually apparent in males between the ages of 12 to 15 years old. It is also common for older men 65 years old or more who experience a drop in their testosterone levels. #Normal Gynecomastia takes approximately one to two years to naturally regress on its own.

Meanwhile, #Adolescent Gynecomastia is hereditary and usually appears in 30% to 60% of boys between the ages of nine to fourteen. Many cases of adolescent gynecomastia resolve on its own as the boy grows into adulthood. Some with #Adolescent may choose to undergo surgery to correct the situation, this usually happens at the age of 18 or above. In severe cases in young boys, the physician and child development specialists will need to speak to the parents regarding the severity of the gynecomastia and if surgery is an option before the age of 18.

Many young adults develop gynecomastia during puberty.  Often enough, it subsides after puberty.  It is too early to tell yet whether this will exist into young adulthood.  If it does, it is easily treatable with surgery.

Thank you for your question.You seem to have some Gynecomastia. At 17, I would still give it time to resolve. If it does not resolve over the next couple of years, surgery is an excellent option. All The Best !

If you are unhappy with your breast size then you may want to consider corrective cosmetic surgery regardless of the cause, especially if you are not planning on loosing weight. Gynecomastia simply means that your breasts are too big and has features of a women's breast. There are varying degrees of gynecomastia ranging from puffy nipple to severe breast enlargement and/or breast sag. The severity of the gynecomastia will determine which treatment option is necessary. In most cases, men suffer from standard gynecomastia, which can be surgically treated as an in-office procedure under local anesthesia. For more severe cases, it may be recommended that you have your procedure under general anesthesia at an outpatient surgery center. Your consultation will determine which option is best suited for treating your gynecomastia.

60% to 65% of young men develop some form of gynecomastia during puberty. The good news is, for about 95% of young men this will go away by itself usually within a couple of years. If you are in the 5% that it becomes permanent, surgery is an option, and young men do very well as the elasticity in their skin is very good. Good luck!