Can male breast reduction be done on a teenage boy? my 15-year old son's breasts have been growing for about a year now. they're actually bigger than some of the girls' he knows. he's really embarrassed and has been staying home more and more. is he too y

Male : Male breast development is normal in teenagers. Unfortunately, development is excessive in some young men. It is unlikely to be caused by an endocrine problem but it is probably worthwhile having his pediatrician evaluate him for this. I feel that if he is mature enough to handle going through an operation, then age 15 is fine for this problem. The improvement in self esteem can be quite significant.

Start : Start by having your son seeing an endocrinologist, then if appropriate he may have the surgery if he is fully or near fully grown. Good luck from nyc. For more info visit www.Drgrossman.Com.

To : To a large degree, gynecomastia is normal in nearly 80% of teenage males. I assume your son's may be more severe than the typical case, and with that in mind, it would be best to discuss with his pediatrician. A variety of medical conditions may be responsible and should be excluded. Unless very severe, most surgeons defer treatment until 18 years of age.

Yes.: Given your son's situation, surgery to correct gynecomastia may be perfectly reasonable despite his young age. He should develop a good understanding of the procedure and potential risk/complications associated with it. The potential for needing additional surgery should be understood as well. Hopefully, the operation will provide both physical and “psychosocial” benefits.