# Gynaecomastia Surgery

> Citation bundle for Gynaecomastia Surgery on The Treatment Registry.
> URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/procedures/gynecomastia
> Bundle URL: https://thetreatmentregistry.com/api/citations/procedures/gynecomastia

- Category: cosmetic-surgery

## Description

Gynecomastia is the non-cancerous enlargement of one or both breasts in men due to the growth of breast tissue as a result of a hormone imbalance between estrogens and androgens. Physically speaking, gynecomastia is completely benign, but it is associated with significant psychological distress, social stigma, and dysphoria.

## Overview

Gynaecomastia is the non-cancerous enlargement of one or both breasts in men, caused by the growth of breast tissue when the balance between oestrogens and androgens is altered. It is physically benign, but it is commonly associated with psychological distress, social stigma and dysphoria, and it is these effects, together with any pain or tenderness, that most often prompt men to seek treatment. Gynaecomastia can be a normal finding at several stages of life: in newborn boys exposed to oestrogen from the mother, in adolescents going through puberty, in men over about 50, and in obesity. It can also result from conditions that raise the ratio of oestrogens to androgens, such as liver disease, kidney failure, thyroid disease and some non-breast tumours, as well as from alcohol and certain drugs, Klinefelter syndrome, metabolic dysfunction or a natural decline in testosterone. It is the most common benign disorder of the male breast tissue. Many cases need no diagnostic tests and settle on their own; up to 70% of adolescent boys develop some degree of gynaecomastia, and about 75% of these resolve within two years without treatment. When the enlargement does not settle within two years, or when it causes embarrassment, pain or tenderness, treatment is considered, which is the context in which surgery for gynaecomastia is undertaken.

## Peer-reviewed outcome rates

- **Complication rate:** 19.30% (range 11.80–30.60%) — from 1 cited source

## FAQs

### What is gynaecomastia?

Gynaecomastia is the non-cancerous enlargement of one or both breasts in men, caused by the growth of breast tissue as a result of an imbalance between oestrogens and androgens. It is physically completely benign.

### What causes gynaecomastia?

It is caused by an altered ratio of oestrogens to androgens. This can be normal in newborns, puberty, older men and obesity, or driven by liver, kidney or thyroid disease, some tumours, alcohol, certain drugs, Klinefelter syndrome, metabolic dysfunction or falling testosterone.

### Does gynaecomastia go away on its own?

Often it does. Up to 70% of adolescent boys develop some degree of gynaecomastia, and about 75% of these cases resolve within two years of onset without any treatment.

### When is treatment warranted?

Treatment is warranted when the condition does not resolve within two years, or when it causes embarrassment, pain or tenderness. This is the situation in which surgical or medical treatment is generally considered.

### Is gynaecomastia dangerous?

Gynaecomastia itself is a benign finding and does not carry a poor prognosis. However, it frequently causes social and psychological difficulties such as low self-esteem, depression or shame, and the glandular tissue is often tender or painful.

### Who is most commonly affected?

It is the most common benign disorder of the male breast and is most prevalent between the ages of 50 and 69, though it also occurs normally in newborns, in adolescents during puberty and in men who are obese.

## Alternative treatments

- **Liposuction-only correction** — When the excess is glandular-light and the patient has good skin elasticity.
- **Pharmacological management** — Tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors in pubertal or drug-induced gynecomastia; not effective in long-standing cases.

## Sources

- [Incidence of Complications for Different Approaches in Gynecomastia Correction: A Systematic Review of the Literature.](https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-022-02782-1) — Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (accessed 2026-08-14)
- [ISAPS — Practice Resources and Position Statements for Aesthetic Surgery](https://www.isaps.org/medical-professionals/practice-resources/) — International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (accessed 2026-06-29)