After getting diagnosed with something like gynecomastia, one of the questions you’ll likely be asking yourself after a diagnosis is “does gynecomastia go away?”
There is no simple answer to such a question. Gynecomastia is a complicated condition that can have many causes. Some of those causes are temporary, and some are not.
Accordingly, it is possible that gynecomastia (sometimes abbreviated to ‘gyno’) will go away on its own, but it very much depends on why you have it in the first place.
Let’s take a look at what gynecomastia is, what its causes can be, and if it can go away on its own.
What is Gyno?
Gyno is a male abnormality whereby the usually dormant breast glands become active, and excess breast gland tissue begins to develop as a result. This in turn can usually result in “man boobs” on an individual.
Though the condition is completely harmless, it’s one that is humiliating and distressing for most boys and men. As such, it’s something that most people will almost certainly seek treatment for.
While from a medical definition standpoint, gyno is the formation of excess breast gland tissue, it is also possible to develop man boobs as a result of excess fat. If this is the case (and there is no excess breast gland tissue), then there is a greater possibility that your man boobs can go away without surgery.
-> A Gynecomastia Pinch Test may be helpful is determining what type of gyno you may have
In this article, however, we will dive into the true gynecomastia causes the & symptoms, and talk through if and how it can go away.
Causes of Gyno
Gyno is usually caused by a hormonal imbalance between estrogen and testosterone. When too much is produced of the former (and, potentially, not enough of the latter), it can cause men or boys to develop female sexual characteristics. The most prominent and noticeable of these, of course, is breasts.
Though this is the root cause of most cases of gyno, the reasons for having a hormonal imbalance are numerous.
Temporary Hormonal Imbalances: Does Gynecomastia Go Away?
Sometimes, male infants or adolescent boys will develop gyno. The reasons for this are quite straightforward:
In infants, it’s lingering amounts of estrogen from their mothers. For adolescent boys, it’s the natural hormonal shifts caused by puberty.
In both cases, these males may develop breasts. For the most part, it’s temporary and this kind of gyno will go away by itself.
Substance Abuse
Certain substances can cause gynecomastia if they’re abused or not taken properly. These include marijuana, methadone, methamphetamine, alcohol and anabolic steroids.
-> Learn more about the interaction between marijuana and gynecomastia, as well as steroids and gynecomastia.
Underlying Conditions
Certain health problems can cause hormonal imbalances, which in turn can lead to gyno. Such conditions include:
- Hypogonadism (abnormally low sex hormone production)
- Liver/kidney dysfunction
- Hyperthyroidism
- High body fat
- Certain medications prescribed for other conditions(antipsychotics, antidepressants, antiandrogens, ulcer medications and some cancer medications)
- Malnutrition
- Injuries or conditions of the testes
- Tumors affecting the hypothalamus or pituitary gland
- Klinefelter Syndrome
Aging
As men age, they naturally produce less testosterone. Men aged 65+ are at particular risk of gyno, as they are likely to be on medication that can interfere with their hormones.
What are the Symptoms of Gyno?
Gynecomastia is not a harmful condition – but it is an embarrassing one for the sufferer.
Men or boys suffering gyno will develop excess breast gland tissue around and behind the nipple. This is noticeably different from chest fat, as it will be a firm, fibrous disc of tissue – not soft like fat. The nipples may also become large and puffy.
Gyno has four stages in total. In the first stage, the swelling is mild and barely noticeable. The breasts will continue to grow through stages 2-4, until they are highly noticeable even in thick clothing.
-> Read through the Gyno Stages overview to learn more about these various grades
What Treatments are Available for Gyno?
Because gynecomastia has so many potential causes, it also has a lot of potential treatments.
Does gynecomastia go away naturally? Generally not.
It’s therefore important to consider your treatment options based on the root of the issue. It is also important to note that once gyno has developed past stage 1, surgery is usually the only realistic long term solution.
Abstinence from Abused Substances
If your case of gyno is caused by something like alcohol or anabolic steroid abuse, it’s possible to reverse the development of the condition by abstaining from that substance.
Treatment of Underlying Conditions
Quite often, it’s possible to halt gyno by treating related illnesses. Treatment for a testicular disorder or for liver dysfunction, for example, can bring your hormones back into balance. This will prevent further development of breast tissue.
TRT (testosterone replacement therapy)
Particularly useful in cases of hypogonadism and for older men, TRT can bring up low levels of testosterone and thus prevent the sort of hormonal imbalance that can bring about gyno. TRT can be administered via patch (whether in the mouth or on the skin), implant, gel, or injection.
Note that this should only be used by people with testosterone deficiencies – if used by people with normal testosterone counts, it can be harmful.
Gynecomastia Surgery
The surgical removal of the excess breast gland tissue will be the most beneficial long term solution for gyno sufferers. This procedure will remove the excess tissue as well as the overlying skin if necessary.
As mentioned, surgery is the main way of eliminating gynecomastia after grade 1.
Note that liposuction surgery can be used in conjunction with gyno surgery if the patient is also suffering from excess breast fat tissue.
Gyno FAQs
Gyno may be harmless, but it’s still a worrying condition, and affected boys/men often have many questions. Here are some of the most common.
Does Gyno Go Away on its Own?
In some cases, yes. Gyno occurring during infancy or puberty will typically resolve itself. For infants, it’s a matter of months.
It can take longer for adolescent boys – up to 2 years, in some cases – but there is no need for medical intervention.
Obviously, 2 years is a long time for a teenage boy, however, and so treatment may be sought in this period anyway.
Does Gyno Go Away After Puberty?
As stated, puberty-induced gyno will most likely go away on its own. It’s caused by the hormonal fluctuations of puberty – once the body is more stable, the excess estrogen will disappear, and so will gyno.
Does Gyno Go Away with Weight Loss?
Typically, no. Although high body fat can be a contributing factor, weight loss cannot stop true gynecomastia because it’s usually a hormonal issue. In fact, weight loss can ironically make gyno more prominent – there’s less chest fat to hide it.
That said, weight loss can absolutely help with pseudogynecomastia. This condition, also called false gynecomastia, is caused by excess chest fat. It therefore can be eliminated by weight loss.
Does Gynecomastia Go Away Naturally?
It is possible for gyno to go away naturally assuming it’s an infant or adolescent case. Furthermore, if it’s still grade 1 gyno, it can often be eliminated with lifestyle or medication changes. However, it will not simply ‘go away’ if no changes are made.
Furthermore, if gynecomastia has progressed to grade 2 or higher, then it most likely will no longer go away on its own. Surgical intervention is usually the only solution at that point.
Does Gynecomastia Go Away with Testosterone?
In the cases where it is caused by a testosterone deficiency, it’s possible. It very much depends, however, and altering one’s hormone levels is not something that should be done without medical advice.
It’s possible that unforeseen complications may arise – including, ironically enough, gynecomastia. There is a reason that the condition is particularly prevalent among male bodybuilders, and that reason is their propensity for chemically boosting testosterone levels.
Does Gynecomastia Go Away with Exercise?
Simply put: no. Exercise can help hide a case of gyno by building chest muscle and reducing body fat, but it does nothing to correct the underlying issue.
As before, pseudogynecomastia is a different story. Because that condition is simply a build-up of excess fat, exercise can eliminate it entirely (along with diet).
Does Gyno Go Away with a Good Diet?
A good gynecomastia diet high in certain vitamins and minerals (such as zinc) can help prevent gyno from ever developing, as they can boost testosterone levels.
How Long does Gynecomastia Last?
For cases of infant gyno, about 2-3 months. Adolescent boys may deal with the condition for 6 months to 2 years.
In other cases, it really depends on the cause – and the grade. Any case of gynecomastia past grade 1 most likely requires surgical intervention to be fully eliminated.
If it’s a grade 1 case and it can be treated without surgery, then this is on a case-by-case basis to be determined by a doctor.
Does Gynecomastia Go Away Recap
Though it’s possible for gyno to go away by itself in certain cases, it’s generally worth seeking proper medical treatment in order to fully eliminate the condition.
No amount of diet or exercise is going to get rid of true gynecomastia (even grade 1 gyno), and it’s important to find out the cause before figuring out how to treat it.