The short answer
Enlarged breasts in men and boys (gynecomastia) are common and often harmless. In teenagers it usually settles by itself, and it can shrink when a cause such as a medicine, anabolic steroids or weight gain is dealt with. Surgery is for enlargement that has lasted, is firm gland rather than fat, and bothers you, once the cause has been checked.
Book a consultationMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Why it happens
Breast tissue in men grows when the balance between male and female hormones shifts. That happens naturally during puberty and again later in life. It also happens with:
- Being overweight, which also adds fat to the chest
- Anabolic steroids and some gym supplements, including 'cycles' bought online or from the gym
- Some medicines, including certain treatments for the prostate, heart, stomach ulcers and mental health
- Cannabis and heavy alcohol use
- Liver disease, kidney disease, an overactive thyroid, and rarely hormone-producing tumours
When to wait
In teenage boys, gynecomastia usually goes away on its own over months to a couple of years. Surgery in a teenager is rarely the first answer. If you have gained weight, losing it may reduce the chest. If a medicine might be the cause, ask your doctor whether it can be changed, but do not stop a prescribed medicine on your own. If you use steroids, stopping is the first step: surgery while you keep using them is likely to be undone.
When to see a doctor soon
Most gynecomastia is a soft, rubbery disc behind both nipples. See a doctor promptly if you notice any of these, because breast cancer, though uncommon, does happen in men:
- A hard lump, especially on one side or not centred behind the nipple
- Discharge or bleeding from the nipple
- The nipple turning inwards, or skin dimpling or changing
- A lump in the armpit
- Breast pain that does not go away
When surgery makes sense
Surgery is reasonable when the enlargement has lasted more than a year or two after puberty, the cause has been checked, your weight is steady, and it stops you wearing fitted shirts, swimming or changing at the gym. Firm gland tissue does not shrink with diet or exercise. Most men have a mixture of gland and fat, so the operation usually combines removing the gland through a small cut at the edge of the areola with liposuction to blend the chest.
It is often a day case. You wear a compression vest for some weeks, and most men are back at desk work within days. Risks include a dip under the nipple if too much is removed, numbness, a fluid collection and uneven sides.
Talking about it
Many men are embarrassed and put this off for years. A good surgeon asks about medicines, supplements and steroid use without judgement, because the honest answer changes the plan. Blood tests are arranged when the picture suggests a hormone cause.
What it costs on Mezo
One fixed price, paid online.
Common questions
Will gym work flatten my chest?
Exercise and weight loss reduce chest fat but not gland tissue. If you have a firm disc behind the nipple, it will usually remain however much you train.
Are there tablets for it?
In some cases a doctor may suggest medicine, usually early on and after tests. Do not buy hormone tablets online or from a chemist without a prescription.
Will it come back after surgery?
Not if the cause has gone. Steroid use, some medicines and significant weight gain can bring it back.
My son is 14 and has breasts. Should he have surgery?
Usually not yet. It is common in puberty and often settles by itself. See a doctor if it is very large, one-sided, painful or there is a lump, and be kind: boys often feel very self-conscious about it.
The procedures
Related health guides
More patient guides
Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Gynaecomastia. NHS. Patient information.
- Breast reduction (male). NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 22 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.