Concern About Teenage Son Developing Breasts

Concern About Teenage Son Developing Breasts

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
QUESTION: My young teenage son is having a terrible time because he is
developing breasts. He refuses to take gym at school because he does not wish
to disrobe and have the other boys make fun of him. We are more concerned
that this may be the sign of a serious disease. Can you help us?
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ANSWER: Although you do not mention your son's age in your letter, I am
willing to wager he is between 13 and 14 years of age, a time of puberty when
almost 40% of normal boys undergo some degree of breast development. It may
not be as evident in others as in the case of your son, but can be discovered
by careful palpation during the course of a physical examination. While the
reasons for this growth is not clear, it probably results from a temporary
imbalance between the male and female hormones which normally exist in all of
us. The medical term applied to this diagnosis is "pubertal gynecomastia" and
it is a totally benign condition. Usually it will resolve by itself within a
few months, although in rare cases it can take longer. Since there are many
causes of gynecomastia, and in view of your son's problem at school, he is
entitled to a complete physical and history to verify my impressions. Your
family doctor can then explain the condition to him and offer the reassurance
that I believe will be forthcoming. With this reassurance and new
understanding, your son will be able to deal with his own inner fears.
Perhaps a note from the doctor can relieve your son of gym classes until the
situation returns to normal.