I had bi-lateral gynecomastia since I was 14 yrs old. At that time I was captain of my hockey team and the smartest out of my two brothers. I thought I had breast cancer and was dying. I had to pinch my nipples constantly to hide the puffyness (Ido not know if this made it worse. They are bout 3-5 cm in diameter. I worked out alot (sometimes 1000 push ups a day). If anyone said anything about my chest I would have knocked them out. My parents thought I was pinching my nipples because it felt good. Actually, pubertal gynecomastia is painfull. The pain subsided once the growth stopped.
I fought through this handicap and have a normal life. Two degrees Chemistry and Computer Science. I am married and have a full time job at a pharmaceutical company.
Only when I hit 29 years old did I get the courage to investigate this problem. It was my dad who gace me the courage. He developed unilateral gynecomastia at 55 years old. He went through the same thoughts I did "breast cancer". I told him he was going through andropause and that doctors probably will not remove it, but give him hormone therapy.
Well, lets talk about my condition. I staterd reading on the web about Klinefelter syndrome, testicular cancer, and other strange adrenal tumors. I thought I am in big trouble. Not only did I hide this condition by cold showers, pinching nipples, and builing big biceps. I decdived my wife. I stand a good chanced of being infertile and she did not deserve this.
So I told my wife she thought I was vain and there was nothing wrong with me. So a week later I did a TSE check and found tubes/lumps behind my left testicle. I thought it was cancer. Told my wife and we disputed if it is or not. Then it started to hurt. Now at 29 I know this did not happen at 14. I measure both testicles they are 4.5cm (the long length). I had an Ultrascan done and they were only cysts found.
Now, I just
ruled out Testicular cancer. What about Klinefelter syndrome. I could shave twice a day, I have more body hair than my brothers. I bench 250lbs and squat 275. I am near my target weight of 170 lbs (actual 185). I have never taken a steroid in my life, and have normal testicle size. I also am the same height as my brothers. SO the chance if this being KS is about 50%?
I have a physical with my doctor on Aug 28 and I will ask for a complete hormonal blood work up. The last time I asked a doctor for this she looked at me like I was smoking crack. (I did not get done then thanks to her).
I do not know what is going to happen with these tests, but it is time for the lumps under mu nipples to die. As for teens who get this condition. Go to a doctor ASAP. You do not want to end like me discussing TESE with your wife you are putting through nursing school while you are getting tested for testicular tumores and other fun conditions.
I wish I knew about this fertile and this condition back then (even though testicle size is normal), because I would have a semen analyisis. Worst case I am infertile, but at least I would no not to promise something to your partner on you may not be able to.
SO GO TO THE DOCTOR DO NOT DO WHAT I DID. IF YOURPARENTS ARE AFRAID OR CONFUSED ABOUT THIS CONDITION GO IN FOR A COLD AND THEN HIT HIM WITH THE GYNO QUESTIONS.