Gynecomastia in men: causes, examination and treatment in Tashkent

Other names: Увеличение грудных желёз у мужчин, ложная гинекомастия, липомастия

Gynecomastia is an enlargement of the mammary glands in men due to the proliferation of glandular tissue. This is not a cosmetic detail: it may be due to hormonal disorders, liver disease, taking certain medications or anabolic steroids, and occasionally, a hormonally active tumor. Therefore, the first step for gynecomastia is not surgery or the gym, but an examination that will show the cause.

🧾 МКБ-10: N62 🏥 Where it is treated: 3 Must be distinguished from adipose tissueThere is often a removable causeIn teenagers it often goes away on its own

👨‍⚕️ Which doctor

Andrologist, endocrinologist

🔬 Diagnostics

Testosterone, estradiol, prolactin, ultrasound

💊 Treatment

Treatment of the cause, drugs, surgery

📈 Prognosis

Favorable

⚠️ At risk

Steroids, obesity, liver disease

⏱ When to see a doctor

Scheduled appeal

🚨 See a doctor urgently

With these signs do not wait for a scheduled appointment — the condition requires emergency care.

Одностороннее плотное образование с втяжением соска
Выделения of соска, особенно кровянистые
Быстрое увеличение железы за короткий срок
Увеличенные подмышечные лимфоузлы
Гинекомастия в сочетании с уменьшением яичек и снижением либидо
Появление в сочетании с желтухой и отёками

True and false gynecomastia

It is important to distinguish between the two different conditions from the very beginning, since their treatment is fundamentally different.

True gynecomastia is the proliferation of glandular tissue; when palpated, a dense disc under the nipple is detected, often sensitive
False gynecomastia (lipomastia) - increase due to adipose tissue with excess weight; there is no glandular compaction, the consistency is soft, uniform
Mixed form - a combination of both components

With lipomastia, the main method is weight loss, while true gynecomastia usually does not go away from losing weight, since the glandular tissue is not fat. Examination and ultrasound help to distinguish the forms.

When is gynecomastia normal?

In newborns - due to maternal hormones; occurs in the first weeks of life
In adolescents during puberty - it occurs often and in most cases disappears on its own within one and a half to two years
In older men - against the background of age-related changes in the ratio of hormones and an increase in the proportion of adipose tissue

Даже физиологическая гинекомастия у подростка требует осмотра врача: важно убедиться, что за ней не стоит эндокринное заболевание или опухоль, а также поддержать подростка психологически.

Reasons

Taking anabolic steroids and testosterone drugs - excess is converted into estrogens; a common reason among gym goers
Testosterone deficiency and hypogonadism
Obesity - adipose tissue actively converts androgens into estrogens
Liver diseases, including cirrhosis
Chronic kidney disease
Diseases of the thyroid gland, most often hyperthyroidism
Elevated prolactin, including with a pituitary tumor
Tumors of the testicle, adrenal glands and other hormonally active formations
Taking medications: some blood pressure medications, diuretics, antiandrogens, antiulcers, psychotropics, antifungals
Klinefelter syndrome
Alcohol, marijuana and other psychoactive substances
Fasting and subsequent restoration of nutrition
Idiopathic form, when the cause cannot be found

Diagnostics

Examination with assessment of the nature of the tissue, size, symmetry, condition of the nipples
Examination and palpation of the testicles is a must: testicular tumor can manifest as gynecomastia
Ultrasound of the mammary glands - distinguishes glandular and fatty tissue
Ultrasound of the scrotum
Hormonal examination: total testosterone, estradiol, LH, FSH, prolactin, TSH
Tumor markers AFP and beta-hCG for suspected testicular tumor
Blood biochemistry: liver parameters, creatinine
Detailed collection of information about all medications and supplements taken
MRI of the pituitary gland with increased prolactin
Mammography and biopsy - if a malignant tumor of the mammary gland is suspected

Particular attention is paid to a unilateral dense formation, displaced from the center, with nipple retraction or discharge: breast cancer in men is rare, but it must be excluded.

Treatment

Cancellation or replacement of the drug that caused gynecomastia - together with the doctor who prescribed it
Complete cessation of anabolic steroids
Weight loss in obesity and lipomastia
Treatment of the underlying disease: liver, thyroid gland, pituitary gland, hypogonadism
Drug therapy is most effective at an early stage, in the first months after the onset of
Observation in adolescents with physiological form
Surgical treatment - removal of glandular tissue, if necessary with liposuction; used for long-term gynecomastia and severe cosmetic defects
Psychological support with a significant impact on self-esteem

Существенный момент: медикаментозное лечение эффективно преимущественно в раннем периоде, пока в ткани преобладает железистый компонент. Через год-полтора железа замещается фиброзной тканью, и повлиять на неё лекарствами уже невозможно — остаётся хирургический путь.

What to tell your doctor

Обо всех принимаемых препаратах, включая безрецептурные
О приёме анаболических стероидов, тестостерона и спортивного питания — даже если это было в прошлом
Об употреблении алкоголя и других веществ
О времени появления и скорости роста желёз
О наличии боли, выделений of сосков, изменении кожи
О сопутствующих симптомах: снижении либидо, слабости, изменении веса, желтухе
О заболеваниях печени, почек, щитовидной железы

Where to get examined in Tashkent

Examination for gynecomastia includes examination, ultrasound of the mammary glands and scrotum, hormonal profile and biochemistry - this is the only way to find a removable cause.

In Tashkent, such an examination is carried out at the UROLOGIC COMPLEX medical center and at the Tashkent Medical Park clinic.

If gynecomastia has recently appeared, do not delay your visit: in the first months, the possibilities of drug treatment are much wider. Clinic contacts and registration are below on the page.

Services and prices for this diagnosis

Based on official price lists of Tashkent clinics. The exact cost is determined after examination.

🔬 Diagnostics

Первичный приём урологаfrom 200 000 Повторный приём урологаfrom 150 000

Frequently asked questions: Gynecomastia

Will gynecomastia go away on its own?+

In adolescents, the physiological form in most cases disappears on its own within one and a half to two years. In adults, spontaneous resolution is possible if the cause is eliminated - for example, the drug that caused it is discontinued - and a little time has passed. Long-term gynecomastia usually does not go away, since the glandular tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue.

Will sports and weight loss help?+

With false gynecomastia, that is, increase due to fat, weight loss really solves the problem. With true gynecomastia, losing weight will reduce the surrounding fat layer, but the dense glandular disc under the nipple will remain - it is not fat and does not disappear from stress. Ultrasound helps to distinguish forms.

Gynecomastia from steroids - is it reversible?+

In the first months after its appearance - often yes, provided that steroids are completely abandoned and treatment is timely. Over time, the glandular tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue, and then only surgery helps. Therefore, if a lump appears while taking steroids, you should consult a doctor immediately and not put it off.

Could gynecomastia be a sign of a tumor?+

Yes, although this is an uncommon situation. Some testicular and adrenal tumors are hormonally active and manifest as enlarged mammary glands. That is why examination of the testicles and ultrasound of the scrotum are included in the mandatory examination program for gynecomastia, even if the scrotum itself does not bother you.

Does breast cancer occur in men?+

Yes, it is rare, but it exists. One-sided dense formations displaced from the center of the gland, nipple retraction, discharge, especially bloody ones, skin changes and enlarged axillary lymph nodes are alarming. If such signs occur, mammography and biopsy are prescribed.

What operation is being performed and are there any traces left?+

Typically, glandular tissue is removed, if necessary in combination with liposuction of the fatty component. Access is usually made along the edge of the areola, which makes the scar less noticeable. The scope of the intervention and the expected result are discussed with the surgeon individually, taking into account the size of the glands and the condition of the skin.

The information on this page is for reference only and does not replace a doctor consultation. Only a qualified specialist can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment after an in-person examination.

Where it is treated gynecomastia в Ташкенте

Гинекомастия требует прежде всего гормонального обследования и исключения устранимых причин — приёма препаратов, стероидов, заболеваний печени и щитовидной железы. В Ташкенте такое обследование проводят в медицинском центре UROLOGIC COMPLEX и в clinicsе Tashkent Medical Park, при необходимости совместно с эндокринологом.