FAQs

It is estimated that 20% of all gynecomastia is caused by medications (Bowman JD, Kim H, Bustamante JJ. Drug-induced gynecomastia. Pharmacotherapy. 2012 Dec;32(12):1123–40). Iatrogenic gynecomastia is defined as the development of benign breast tissue in males caused by medications that disrupt the normal hormonal milieu (Iatrogenesis is a condition caused by medical therapy). The following is a list of medications that are known to contribute to gynecomastia. It is important to note that not all patients on these medications will develop gynecomastia.

Common Medications Known to Cause Gynecomastia

• Haloperidol
• Risperidone
• Chlorpromazine
• Metoclopramide
• Methyldopa
• Fluoxetine
• Sertraline
• Amitriptyline
• Diazepam
• Digoxin
• Phenytoin
• HCG (Novarel, Pregnyl)
• Spironolactone (Aldactone)
• Finasteride (Proscar)
• Cimetidine
• Ketoconazole
• Fluphenazine
• Flutamide

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Gynecomastia is an extraordinarily common condition affecting men of all ages. In fact, approximately 70% of all men will experience clinically significant gynecomastia at some point in their lifetime. The most common form of gynecomastia is pubescent gynecomastia which develops in approximately 50-70% of all pubertal males. In most cases, pubescent gynecomastia resolves on its own by early adulthood but roughly one-third will persist into adulthood.

The development of gynecomastia is the result of resistance of the end-organ (breast tissue) to circulating Androgenic hormones (testosterone) and increased levels of estrogen. Increased levels of estrogen suppress Luteinizing Hormone (LH) which in turn results in lower levels of Testosterone.

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Gynecomastia is a benign proliferation of breast tissue in males. It is not associated with cancer. However, breast cancer can occur in men and in fact 1% of all breast cancers diagnosed in the United States occur in men. Rapidly growing gynecomastia or unilateral gynecomastia in the setting of a family history of breast cancer may require further evaluation with Diagnostic Mammography before proceeding with treatment.

Gynecomastia is defined as a benign proliferation of male breast tissue.

If you think you have gynecomastia, you may perform a simple self-exam by rolling the gland under the nipple-areola between the thumb and fore finger. The gland has a granular or shotty (hard and round like a pellet) feel, This in contrast with the skin and soft tissue of the abdomen which should feel smooth when rolled between the thumb and index finger.

Pseudogynecomastia is simply an accumulation of adipose tissue on the chest and has no glandular component. It is usually associated with obesity.

If you are concerned with the appearance of your chest, then you should know that there are accessible treatment options.