My son appears to be developing breasts?

I'm male and have swollen, puffy nipples

My life is being ruined by my large breasts

My son and I have strangely shaped nipples

Question

He is 13 years old and starting to go through puberty.

During a visit to our local swimming baths I noticed that he was starting to cover his chest area up with his arms. I asked him what was wrong and he was reluctant to tell me.

On further investigation it appears that he has started to develop breasts or the beginning of breasts. He has kept this a secret for about a year but now it has started to really get him down.

As you can well imagine the difficulties he is having at school with PE and just a school shirt has become an ordeal.

Can you give us some advice about what is happening and who we would be best seeing about this problem? Do you know what may have caused this problem?

Answer

It is quite normal for young boys to undergo some breast changes at puberty. It is sometimes weight-dependent, ie it happens more in boys who are overweight.

However, it can happen to any boy.

Mostly, it is not due to any problem and will settle without any attention. If he is not developing body hair and pubic hair and his voice doesn't change, then this would all add up to a hormonal problem which might require investigation but if he is experiencing these other changes of puberty he can be reassured.

Yours sincerely

Dr Bob Leckridge, GP

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