Signs vary from a small amount of extra tissue around the nipples to more prominent breasts. It can affect one or both breasts. Sometimes, the breast tissue can be tender or painful, but this isn't always the case. ::: body-ad-desktop zones:: 232632,232507,232640 types:: 163 disclaimer:: AD typeFilter:: native_ad adCount:: 1 ::: ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232507,232642 types:: 5,163 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display/native_ad adCount:: 1 :::

What are the signs of gynaecomastia? 

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What causes gynaecomastia?

Gynaecomastia can be caused by an imbalance between the sex hormones testosterone and oestrogen. Oestrogen causes breast tissue to grow. While all men produce some oestrogen, they usually have much higher levels of testosterone, which stops the oestrogen from causing breast tissue to grow. If the balance of hormones in the body changes, this can cause a man's breasts to grow. Sometimes, the cause of this imbalance is unknown. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232507,245869 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Hormone imbalance

Being very overweight (<a href="/losing-weight/obesity">obese</a>) is a common cause of gynaecomastia – this is because being overweight can increase levels of oestrogen, which can cause breast tissue to grow. If you're overweight you're also more likely to have excess fat that can enlarge the breast tissue. For some people losing weight or doing more exercise can help but this may not always improve the condition. ::: body-ad-mobile zones:: 232632,232507,245870 types:: 5 disclaimer:: ADVERTISEMENT typeFilter:: display adCount:: 1 :::

Obesity 

Gynaecomastia can affect newborn baby boys, because oestrogen passes through the placenta from the mother to the baby. This is temporary and will disappear a few weeks after the baby is born.

Newborn baby boys 

During <a href="/parenting/puberty">puberty</a>, boys' hormone levels vary. If the level of testosterone drops, oestrogen can cause breast tissue to grow. Many teenage boys have some degree of breast enlargement. Gynaecomastia at puberty usually clears up as boys get older and their hormone levels become more stable.

Puberty 

As men get older, they produce less testosterone. Older men also tend to have more body fat, and this can cause more oestrogen to be produced. These changes in hormone levels can lead to excess breast tissue growth.

Older age 

Other rare causes of gynaecomastia include: <ul> <li>side effects of medicine – such as anti-ulcer drugs or medicine for heart disease</li> <li>illegal drugs – such as <a href="/cannabis-cbd/drugs-cannabis-facts">cannabis</a> or anabolic steroids</li> <li><a href="/alcohol-support/alcohol-misuse">drinking too much alcohol</a></li> <li>a health condition – such as kidney failure or liver disease</li> <li><a href="/inherited-conditions/klinefelters-syndrome">Klinefelter syndrome</a> (a rare genetic disorder)</li> <li>lumps or infection in the testicles</li> </ul>

Other causes 

See a doctor if you're worried about breast tissue growth – they can discuss the treatment options with you. If a doctor thinks you need treatment, they may recommend: <ul> <li>surgery to remove the excess breast tissue</li> <li>medication to adjust a hormone imbalance</li> </ul> Always see a doctor if the area is very painful or there's an obvious lump. Sometimes, the lump may need to be removed. Gynaecomastia isn't related to <a href="/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-in-men">breast cancer</a>, but you should see a doctor if you're worried about breast swelling.

Treatment for gynaecomastia 



## What are the signs of gynaecomastia? 

Signs vary from a small amount of extra tissue around the nipples to more prominent breasts. It can affect one or both breasts.

Sometimes, the breast tissue can be tender or painful, but this isn't always the case.



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## What causes gynaecomastia?



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## Hormone imbalance

Gynaecomastia can be caused by an imbalance between the sex hormones testosterone and oestrogen. Oestrogen causes breast tissue to grow. While all men produce some oestrogen, they usually have much higher levels of testosterone, which stops the oestrogen from causing breast tissue to grow.

If the balance of hormones in the body changes, this can cause a man's breasts to grow. Sometimes, the cause of this imbalance is unknown.



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types:: 5
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## Obesity 

Being very overweight ([obese](/losing-weight/obesity)) is a common cause of gynaecomastia – this is because being overweight can increase levels of oestrogen, which can cause breast tissue to grow. If you're overweight you're also more likely to have excess fat that can enlarge the breast tissue. For some people losing weight or doing more exercise can help but this may not always improve the condition.



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zones:: 232632,232507,245870
types:: 5
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## Newborn baby boys 

Gynaecomastia can affect newborn baby boys, because oestrogen passes through the placenta from the mother to the baby. This is temporary and will disappear a few weeks after the baby is born.

## Puberty 

During [puberty](/parenting/puberty), boys' hormone levels vary. If the level of testosterone drops, oestrogen can cause breast tissue to grow. Many teenage boys have some degree of breast enlargement. Gynaecomastia at puberty usually clears up as boys get older and their hormone levels become more stable.

## Older age 

As men get older, they produce less testosterone. Older men also tend to have more body fat, and this can cause more oestrogen to be produced. These changes in hormone levels can lead to excess breast tissue growth.

## Other causes 

Other rare causes of gynaecomastia include:

- side effects of medicine – such as anti-ulcer drugs or medicine for heart disease
- illegal drugs – such as [cannabis](/cannabis-cbd/drugs-cannabis-facts) or anabolic steroids
- [drinking too much alcohol](/alcohol-support/alcohol-misuse)
- a health condition – such as kidney failure or liver disease
- [Klinefelter syndrome](/inherited-conditions/klinefelters-syndrome) (a rare genetic disorder)
- lumps or infection in the testicles

## Treatment for gynaecomastia 

See a doctor if you're worried about breast tissue growth – they can discuss the treatment options with you.

If a doctor thinks you need treatment, they may recommend:

- surgery to remove the excess breast tissue
- medication to adjust a hormone imbalance

Always see a doctor if the area is very painful or there's an obvious lump. Sometimes, the lump may need to be removed. Gynaecomastia isn't related to [breast cancer](/breast-cancer/breast-cancer-in-men), but you should see a doctor if you're worried about breast swelling.

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References

What is gynaecomastia?

All of Healthily's articles undergo medical safety checks to verify that the information is medically safe. View more details in our <a href="/safety" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">safety page</a>, or read our <a href="/legal/editorial-policy-principles" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">editorial policy</a>.

Article information

Gynaecomastia (sometimes referred to as "man boobs") is a common condition that causes boys' and men's breasts to swell and become larger than normal. Learn about gynaecomastia here - using content verified by certified doctors.