Gynecomastia: Dealing with Male Breasts

Gynecomastia is the enlargement of male breast tissue. It is caused by a hormonal imbalance of estrogen and testosterone. It can affect one or both breasts. It can happen to infants, boys in puberty and older men. While it may go away on its own, sometimes surgery is necessary to correct the symptoms.

Hormonal imbalance can be caused by natural changes in the body and can self-correct in some cases within six months or two years. Gynecomastia can also result from alcohol use, certain medications, street drugs and health conditions.

Gynecomastia is an embarrassing condition. If the symptoms don't resolve when the cause is treated, some men opt to get surgery to remove the excess tissue.

Listen in as Dr. Robert Cohen discusses gynecomastia.