Could it go away naturally?

[mg2892]

I'm nearing the age of 21 and still have noticeable gyne.  It's terrible.  As far as I can remember, it's been there for quite a while.  I remember it looking this way when I was 13.  I'm guessing i got it from puberty, but if it's just from puberty, shouldn't it have gone away? Unless there is something else that has caused it since then, wouldn't it have disappeared once my hormones became balanced?

I've heard that the final stages of puberty can occur even beyond the age of 18.  Could it be that the gyne may still go away on its own?

If not, I guess I gotta go with the surgery, but i don't know how I'll pay for it.  Anyone have stories about how they went about it?

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

If you have had gyne for about 8 years, it is doubtful it will magically disappear in the next year or two.  But you can certainly continue to hope -- there is no harm in that.

At some point, you will accept that it is not going to disappear spontaneously.  At that time, it would be wise to do your research and find a gyne specialist for your surgery.  There are a number of such specialists around the country.  Do you homework -- there is no rush -- and find a surgeon in whom you have confidence -- then go for it!


Dr Jacobs

[Paa_Paw]

It is generally accepted that Gynecomastia which has been stable for 2 years or more is essentially fixed and will not likely diminish very much without surgery.

I was one of those who had a rather lengthy period of puberty and did not reach my full height until I was significantly older than you now are. That, was many years ago and such conditions are now readily treatable.

Unfortunately, I came of age long before surgery was a good safe alternative so I never had surgery. You are fortunate to live in a time when surgery is both safe and cosmetically effective when performed by a qualified surgeon.

If you should like to persue the possibility that your period of puberty is not yet over you might see an Endocrinologist. Keep in mind that within the specialty of Endocrinology there are now several sub specialties. An Endocrinologist who specializes in liver diseases or Diabetes may not serve you well; You need someone who has a specific interest in growth or reproduction.

[mg2892]

Well there aren't any other signs that I'm still going through puberty.  I just thought that the gyne was perhaps a holdover of puberty.  I guess not. 

Lately I've been wondering if it might actually be pseudogynecomastia, in which case I'm pretty sure exercise could get rid of it.  I'm not overweight, but I'm a little chubby.

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

No question that exercise is helpful. But just be aware that neither exercise or dieting will allow you to decide where the fat comes off your body.  As we have all observed, there are stubborn areas of fat (ie the chest, abdomen and love handles) where no amount of exercise will have an effect.

I do not recognize accept the term "pseudogynecomastia".  I consider gynecomastia to be excess tissue on a man's chest -- no matter what the tissue consists of.

Ultimately, when diet and exercise have failed to achieve a nicely contoured chest, then surgery will be the only alternative.

Dr Jacobs