Hello, I made another thread but I'm 13 1/2 and I'm 5'6. I weigh 120 and I'm not fat. I've had this problem for a little less than year and I want to know if its normal
Gynecomastia occurs in about 60% of the male population, so it depends on what someone defines "normal." Yes, this contour happens to many going through puberty with the imbalance of hormones raging during this period. So it is normal that it occurs. No, the contour itself is not normal. The developing female breast goes through the same stimulation, but the hormone system is designed to keep on going making a normal female breast. On a male, such developing breasts look female and can cause an amazing amount of distress and emotional concerns. Listen to the emotional experiences I documented and posted to see you are not alone.
The question becomes, will the contour problem resolve on its own, or will something need to be done. I prefer to have an unbalanced growing gynecomastia evaluated by an experienced Endocrinologist. When a pubescent teenager comes to my office and tells me that their breasts are becoming less tender, shrinking, but they just want them off now, I advise them to wait until they have something stable. When the problem completely resolves on its own, no surgeon can match those scars. What has not resolved by 2 years typically does not.
Feeling my patients' pain, I then took the time to investigate various compression garments and the document the effectiveness of the best garment I was able to find. Check out that documentation to understand the power of compression garment. However, not all garment have the same power nor contour to the same degree. My patients can try on these garments in my office and the contour change is instantaneous. Seeing their facial expressions as they look at themselves in the mirror has been fantastic. The garments are an amazing emotional band-aide to help get through the time of stabilization. They have become a powerful tool in permitting patients not to feel pressured into surgery and wait for a better time.
Hope this helps,
Michael Bermant, M.D.
