- Physical Examination
- Surgical Examination
- Ophthalmology
- Clinical Skills
- Orthopedics
- Surgery Videos
- Laparoscopy
- Pediatrics
- Funny Videos
- Cardiothoracic Surgery
- Nursing Videos
- Plastic Surgery
- Otorhinolaryngology
- Histology and Histopathology
- Neurosurgery
- Dermatology
- Pediatric Surgery
- Urology
- Dentistry
- Oncology and Cancers
- Anatomy Videos
- Health and Fitness
- Radiology
- Anaesthesia
- Physical Therapy
- Pharmacology
- Interventional Radiology
- Cardiology
- Endocrinology
- Gynecology
- Emergency Medicine
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Childbirth Videos
- General Medical Videos
- Nephrology
- Physiology
- Diet and Food Health
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Neurology
- Women Health
- Osteoporosis
- Gastroenterology
- Pulmonology
- Hematology
- Rheumatology
- Toxicology
- Nuclear Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Vascular Disease
- Reproductive Health
- Burns and Wound Healing
- Kidney Zone Podcast
- Other
Breast swelling in men
Category: Men's Health · All men's health symptoms
What it can feel like
Breast swelling in men (gynaecomastia) is growth of glandular breast tissue in one or both breasts — a rubbery disc under the nipple — distinct from fat alone (which feels soft and diffuse). It reflects an imbalance between oestrogen and testosterone signals and peaks at puberty, in middle age, and in older men.
Possible causes
A symptom can have many causes, and most are not serious. The lists below group conditions this symptom can be associated with — common causes first. They are possibilities to discuss with a clinician, not a diagnosis.
Common causes
Gynaecomastia can be associated with puberty (usually self-resolving), weight gain, ageing with falling testosterone, alcohol, and medicines — notably spironolactone, some prostate and heart drugs, anabolic steroids, and cannabis.
Other possible causes
Persistent gynaecomastia can also be associated with low testosterone from testicular or pituitary problems, an overactive thyroid, liver cirrhosis, kidney failure, and rarely hormone-producing tumours or male breast cancer — which is why a hard, one-sided, eccentric lump is treated differently.
Red flags — when to seek help promptly
- A hard, one-sided breast lump in a man, especially off-centre from the nipple — prompt assessment
- Breast swelling with nipple discharge (any type, in a man)
- Breast swelling with a testicular lump or shrinking testicles
- Breast swelling with weight loss, tremor or palpitations (possible thyroid)
- Painful rapid breast enlargement with redness
What a clinician may do
A clinician will examine the breasts and testicles, review medicines, alcohol and supplements, and arrange blood tests — testosterone, oestrogen-sensitive markers, prolactin, thyroid and liver — targeted by findings. Imaging follows any suspicious lump, exactly as for women.
Watch: related videos
Examination and clinical videos from the MedicalVideos.com library relevant to this symptom. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.
Related guides on MedicalVideos.com
Frequently asked questions
How is gynaecomastia different from male breast cancer?
Gynaecomastia is a symmetrical rubbery disc centred under the nipple, often tender, often both sides over time. Cancer is usually a hard, painless, one-sided lump sitting off-centre, sometimes with skin change or discharge. Examination — and imaging for any lump with cancer features — separates them.
Can gym supplements cause it?
Yes — anabolic steroids suppress the body's own testosterone, and during and after use the oestrogen balance shifts, growing breast tissue; some 'testosterone boosters' and hair-loss medicines also feature in medicine lists. Declaring supplements honestly is the fastest route to the diagnosis.
Related symptoms — Men's Health
Browse the B section of the A–Z list or return to the Symptoms A–Z hub.