Tamoxifen and mild gyne. Help please.

[dudeA]

Hi, i'm new to the forum and i need to ask the question. I know that everyone says that the only solution to gyne is surgery. However, there are times where i've read that they took some meds like tamoxifen. It may not be the direct solution but those who've tried it reported back that their gyne reduced by a small amount. I've read a similar situation in the letter section of this web, http://www.gynecomastia.org/content/letters/01060801.shtml, saying that he is quite happy with the result. Here's also another webpage concerning medical treatment for gyne, http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/120858-treatment. The webpage says using tamoxifen, up to 80% of patients report partial to complete resolution (bulletpoint #8). Well, 80% may be too much.

So i'd like to know ur thoughts about these meds and mild gyne. What do these meds do to the body? Are there any serious side effects? Or am i just misunderstanding something here. There aren't many discussions about this.

[DrBermant]

Hi, i'm new to the forum and i need to ask the question. I know that everyone says that the only solution to gyne is surgery. However, there are times where i've read that they took some meds like tamoxifen. It may not be the direct solution but those who've tried it reported back that their gyne reduced by a small amount. I've read a similar situation in the letter section of this web, http://www.gynecomastia.org/content/letters/01060801.shtml, saying that he is quite happy with the result. Here's also another webpage concerning medical treatment for gyne, http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/120858-treatment. The webpage says using tamoxifen, up to 80% of patients report partial to complete resolution (bulletpoint #8). Well, 80% may be too much.

So i'd like to know ur thoughts about these meds and mild gyne. What do these meds do to the body? Are there any serious side effects? Or am i just misunderstanding something here. There aren't many discussions about this.

I prefer to defer to a competent Endocrinologist for the medical management of gynecomastia.  As a surgeon, I tend to only see the failures of medical treatment.  However, in my discussions with many Endocrinologists over many years, I find a reluctance to use antiestrogens. Most of these Endocrinologists have told me they did not like the results. As far as the studies in the literature, I have yet to see one that adequately documents the problem and solution with medications alone.  There does seem to have some benefit for the swelling of gland stimulation, but for gland already grown, much less effect.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

The use of Tamoxifen might possibly be considered if the breast is in process of increasing in size.  But, of course, this should be completely worked up by an endocrinologist.

Once breast tissue is established (usual guideline is two years of stability), then unfortunately there is no means of reducing it by taking medications.  Surgery would be the answer.

Dr Jacobs