What Is Gynecomastia?

Gynecomastia is a condition in which the male's breast tissue enlarges. Gynecomastia literally means "woman breast." This increase in tissue usually occurs at times when the male is having hormonal changes, such as during infancy, adolescence, and old age.

Consider the following statistics regarding gynecomastia:

• Most cases of gynecomastia occur during puberty, and the condition often will improve after two to three years without intervention. About 65 percent of 14-year-old boys have gynecomastia.
  
• Infants may have a transient form of the disease that is often related to the maternal hormones.
  
• Of the males who present with this at puberty, about 90 percent will have natural regression of the breast tissue.