Gynaecomastia is the enlargement of male breast tissue. In true gynaecomastia, firm glandular tissue develops behind the nipple due to an imbalance between oestrogen and testosterone. This is different from pseudogynaecomastia, where the chest appears enlarged mainly because of fat. Treatment depends on the cause, how long the tissue has been present, and whether the enlargement is mainly glandular, fatty, or mixed. Hormonal Imbalances and Natural Life Stages The most common trigger for gynaecomastia involves disruption of the testosterone-to-oestrogen ratio. Both hormones circulate in male bodies, with testosterone typically dominant. When this balance shifts, breast tissue responds. Puberty Hormonal fluctuations during puberty cause gynaecomastia in many adolescent boys. Oestrogen levels may temporarily rise faster than testosterone during early puberty, stimulating breast tissue growth. Pubertal gynaecomastia typically resolves spontaneously within one to two years as testosterone levels stabilise. Persistent gynaecomastia beyond two years from onset, or past age 17, warrants medical evaluation to rule out underlying […]