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Male Breasts
During puberty males may notice a change in their breasts. Although a female's breasts go through a much more significant and noticeable change, a male's breasts can also show signs of puberty. This is normal.
What is this?
Gynecomastia is the term used for excessive breast tissue that is visible in males. "Excessive" means more than 2 cm (about 0.75 inches) of firm tissue that you can feel around the nipple.
At different times during a male's life such tissue is common. First, as a newborn and then, as a teen around 13 to 14 years of age.
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What causes this?
Just as in females, the hormone estrogen causes male breast tissue to grow.
As a newborn, you have higher blood levels of estrogen you obtained from your mother. (Pregnant women have high estrogen levels and some of the hormone is passed to their fetus through the placenta.)
During adolescence, males produce a lot of the male hormone testosterone. However, some of the hormone is converted into estrogen.
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How long does it last?
As males move further into adolescence, the testosterone levels become more dominant and the breast tissue becomes less noticeable.
In rare cases, the breast tissue does not recede, and minor surgery can be done to remove it through an outpatient procedure. If you have questions about changes in your own breasts, speak with your health care provider.
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