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Gynecomastia: A First-Steps Guide for Those Just Starting to Wonder

Author : Dr. Young-jin SimMay 26, 2026 at 11:06 AM 240

Gynecomastia: A First-Steps Guide
for Those Just Starting to Wonder

A man researching gynecomastia

"Is this the first time you've searched the word gynecomastia?"

Many people assume gynecomastia is an extremely rare condition,

but in fact, some degree of breast tissue change has been reported in roughly 30-60% of adult men.

It is more common than you might think, and far more men are quietly worrying about it than you'd expect.

The problem is that most people simply have no idea where or how to start looking into it.

1. What Is Gynecomastia?

 

Gynecomastia is a condition in which a man's glandular tissue develops abnormally, causing the chest to protrude. It is different from a chest that has simply grown larger due to weight gain.

True Gynecomastia

Glandular tissue itself has proliferated

Pseudogynecomastia

Caused by fat accumulation

Mixed Type

Glandular tissue and fat develop together

The causes are varied. Temporary hormonal changes during puberty, declining testosterone after middle age,

certain medications, and increased body fat are the most common. In consultations, we find that quite often

the cause cannot be pinned down to any single factor.

Either way, if the chest protrusion persists and it troubles you, it's worth going through the process of identifying the cause.

2. How to Check: From Self-Palpation to Grading

When gynecomastia is suspected, confirmation usually happens in three steps.

•

Step 1: Self-Palpation

If you press gently with your fingertips just beneath the nipple and feel a firm, round mass distinct from the surrounding fat, developed glandular tissue may be suspected. However, touch alone cannot accurately determine the type or degree.

•

Step 2: Ultrasound Exam

An ultrasound objectively distinguishes whether the tissue is glandular, fatty, or mixed. In following post-surgical outcomes, the difference between cases where tissue composition was accurately identified at this stage and cases where it wasn't tends to be quite clear.

•

Step 3: Simon Classification Grading

Because the grade determines whether observation is appropriate or a surgical approach is needed, going through this step is important. Of course, even at the same grade, the direction can vary depending on individual body shape and skin elasticity.

3. Treatment Options: Observation vs. Surgery

A diagnosis of gynecomastia does not automatically mean surgery is necessary.

Depending on the condition, observation may be appropriate in some cases, while a surgical approach may be considered in others.

Category Observation Surgery
Suitable for Within 1 year of pubertal onset,
mild in degree		 Persisting for 2+ years,
clearly developed tissue
Tissue condition Glandular tissue not large
and trending smaller		 Glandular tissue fixed
with no change
Psychological impact No major disruption to daily life Ongoing self-consciousness
in clothing, activities, etc.
Expected outcome May resolve naturally once
hormonal balance is restored		 Direct removal of the tissue
causing the protrusion
Precautions Regular follow-up checks needed Prior understanding of complications
and individual variation needed
 

Which direction is right is decided by weighing the tissue composition, how long it has persisted, and the discomfort you personally feel. Honestly, a great many people try to make this decision entirely on their own. We recommend getting an evaluation from a specialist.

GUIDE — What to Prepare Before Your First Consultation

  • 01. Note when you first noticed the chest protrusion and how it has changed over time.
  • 02. Bring a list of any medications or supplements you are currently taking.
  • 03. If you have a history of weight changes, sharing it helps with the diagnosis.
  • 04. Be honest about the everyday discomfort and psychological burden you feel as well.

With gynecomastia, the hardest moment is typing it
into the search bar for the first time.

But if you've taken that one step, you're already halfway there.

Don't struggle alone. It's more common than you think — and simpler than you think.

References

  • Simon classification — Simon BE, Hoffman S, Kahn S. Classification and surgical correction of gynecomastia. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1973;51(1):48–52. doi:10.1097/00006534-197301000-00009
  • Gynecomastia review (etiology, mechanism, course) — Braunstein GD. Gynecomastia. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(12):1229–1237. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp070677
  • Drug-induced gynecomastia — Bowman JD, et al. Drug-induced gynecomastia. Pharmacotherapy. 2012;32(12):1123–1140. doi:10.1002/phar.1138

References for the medical classification, disease code, and mechanisms mentioned in this article. Diagnosis and treatment decisions are made through individual consultation.

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Dr. Young-jin Sim
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dr. Young-jin Sim
Myeongdong Branch · Urologist · Master of Medicine
# Detail, Perfected# Sincere Consultation# A Choice Without Regret
Key Background
  • · Board Certified Urologist / M.S. in Medicine
  • · M.D., Kyungpook National University School of Medicine
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"A doctor proven by results and remembered for sincerity — a finish where the detail is different."
"Surgery is a matter of technique, but caring for a patient is always a matter of the heart. I explain not only the result but the process honestly, and think it through together with the patient so they can choose after fully understanding. Through years of male body contouring and men's surgery, one standard has not changed: to take responsibility from before the operation through afterwards, so that the patient does not regret this choice. That, to me, is what medical care is."
  • · Residency, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul
  • · Fellowship, Gachon University Gil Hospital
  • · Member, Korean Society for Sexual Medicine and Andrology (KSSMA)
  • · Member, Korean Society of Obesity and Body Contouring
  • · Member, Korean Prostate Society (KPS)
  • · Member, International Society of Obesity and Body Contouring
  • · Former Director, Trueman Men's Clinic Gangnam
  • · Member, Korean Association of Urogenital Tract Infection and Inflammation (KAUTII) / Korean Society of Urological Infection
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