How is gynecomastia manifested and treated in adolescents?

Teenage gynecomastia is an enlargement of the mammary glands in size due to adipose tissue. As a rule, this type of gynecomastia develops in adolescents aged 14-15 years, but there are cases of development of this pathology in children 11-12 years old. And this disease is quite widespread - it occurs in almost 70% of young men.

Usually, the mammary gland enlargement in adolescents is not very pronounced, as a small swelling of the areola, as well as an increase in the sensitivity of the nipples. Therefore, doctors may not need help with this pathology. Most often gynecomastia in adolescents is completely independent for about two years. If the pathology persists for a long time, the child should undergo a special examination, including hormone, mammography and ultrasound tests.

Causes of gynecomastia in adolescents

The causes of this pathology may be different. As a rule, gynecomastia in adolescents develops during puberty. In this case, the cause of its appearance is the beginning of the production of a hormone called testosterone, as well as the conversion of testosterone to estrogen, which promotes an increase in the size of the mammary glands.

The presence of obesity in a child only aggravates the problem. Indeed, it is the excess of extra kilograms that promotes the conversion of testosterone into estrogen in fat cells. Also, with obesity, folds on the chest become much more noticeable and stick out under the clothes, bringing to the child a lot of emotions.

Gynecomastia juvenile( adolescent) can develop as a result of diseases that are accompanied by excessive production of a hormone called estrogen. Such diseases include various liver dysfunctions, chromosomal abnormalities, as well as testicular tumors.

Sometimes gynecomastia in children develops as a result of fasting. Also, mammary glands can increase in size as a result of trauma or because of their mechanical irritation.

Often the cause of gynecomastia is Reifenstein's syndrome, in which there is a defect in the synthesis of testosterone in the body. This is a hereditary disease with a masculine karyotype, in which, from birth, the child has virilization of the genital organs, and sometimes cryptorchidism. In adolescence, a child develops gynecomastia, as well as poor body hair.

It is also possible to develop a so-called drug gynecomastia. Her reason - the occupation of bodybuilding, as well as the adolescent's admission of anabolic steroids. Sometimes gynecomastia occurs due to the fact that the child uses drugs. If doctors failed to identify the cause of gynecomastia, they diagnose "idiopathic gynecomastia."

Signs of gynecomastia in adolescents

For a teenager, the presence of gynecomastia can become a serious problem, which is primarily of a psychological nature. After all, instead of maturing, the young man starts to grow his chest. And in 80% of cases both mammary glands increase, which greatly aggravates the problem.

Gynecomastia in boys often leads to the fact that they begin to avoid sports and swimming. Due to the fact that the nipples can be painful, the child may experience discomfort. Skin covers in the area of ​​the mammary glands, as a rule, are not changed. Sometimes the nipple is retracted, it is almost always slightly enlarged, its areola is pigmented and slightly enlarged.

When examining the nipples, a large number of smooth muscle fibers can be found. At times teenagers have other signs of feminization:

• hypospadias;
• cryptorchidism;
• testicular atrophy;
• underdevelopment of gonads;
• hermaphroditism.

Gynecomastia in adolescents: treatment with

Usually gynecomastia in adolescents does not require surgical or medicamental treatment, as it passes completely independently. But if this pathology lasts more than two years, then some treatment will still be required. Also, drugs are prescribed if the mammary glands have a diameter of more than three and a half centimeters.

If the cause of gynecomastia is inadequate secretion of androgens, the doctor can prescribe medications that include male sex hormones. These drugs include Chorionic gonadotropin, Sustanon and Omnadren. Sustanon and Omnadren are administered intramuscularly every twenty days in an amount of not more than one milliliter, and Gonadotropin every five days. Very effective and a drug called Androgel, because it contains testosterone. It must be rubbed daily into the skin.

Also during the treatment the teenager should take vitamin and mineral complexes. Sometimes doctors prescribe to children sedatives, made on the basis of medicinal plants. Most often it is a tincture of valerian or motherwort.

If the mammary glands are enlarged in size significantly, and no drugs help, then perform the operation. Surgeons make a subcutaneous mastectomy with the preservation of both nipples. This surgical intervention is cosmetic in nature and is intended to reduce the patient's experience about his enlarged mammary glands.

It should be noted that self-medication in the case of gynecomastia is not worth it, since it can cause significant harm to the body. Better with the question of how to remove gynecomastia, contact a doctor who can diagnose and prescribe the right treatment.

Gynecomastia is a widespread disease. And sometimes there is gynecomastia in girls, and not just in boys. True, this pathology is not considered dangerous and usually passes by itself.