Gynecomastia is a common condition where males have an excess amount of breast tissue. This can come in the form of excess gland tissue, excess fat tissue, or a combination of both. 

Although gynecomastia is generally not harmful, it’s important to understand its causes, symptoms, and available treatments. Whether it is adult gyno, adolescent gyno, or even gynecomastia caused by steroids, we are here to help.

At the Boston Gynecomastia Specialists, we offer personalized solutions to address your concerns. With our experienced team and advanced techniques and technologies along with our private facility, we provide a range of treatments customized to meet your needs.

Schedule your personalized consultation today to get yourself started.

Gynecomastia cross section

Gynecomastia Background

Gynecomastia, also known as ‘gyno’ or man boobs, is the development of excess breast gland tissue in men. While several factors can contribute to its development, hormonal imbalance frequently serves as the root cause. This typically involves an imbalance between estrogen and testosterone levels:

  • Excess of Estrogen
  • Lack of Testosterone
  • Combination of Both

Imbalances can be caused by various factors such as puberty, aging, specific medications, health issues, substance misuse, or nutritional deficiencies. In some other cases though, there is no known cause of gynecomastia.

Despite not posing significant health risks, gynecomastia can induce discomfort and considerable embarrassment, leading to psychological distress for many individuals. Due to this, most men affected by it prioritize treatment.

The Boston Gynecomastia Specialists can help – reach out today to schedule a personalized consultation.

What Causes Gynecomastia

When it comes to the causes of this hormonal imbalance, there can be a variety of reasons at play. Some of the most common gynecomastia causes include:

  • Infancy and Puberty
  • Substance Abuse and Alcoholism
  • Aging
  • Anabolic Steroids
  • High Body Fat Percentage
  • Hypogonadism
  • Chronic Diseases
  • Prescription Medications
  • Reasons Unknown

You can learn more about the causes of gynecomastia by checking out the dedicated overview on the topic.

Grades of Gynecomastia

Gynecomastia Stages

Gynecomastia is classified into four gradess ranging from grade 1 (mild or “puffy nipples”) to grade 4 (severe). Each stage has distinct characteristics that set it apart from the others. Treatment approaches also differ for each grade, with grade 4 necessitating a significantly distinct surgical approach compared to grade 1.

  • Grade 1: small growth without excess skin
  • Grade 2: moderate growth without excess skin
  • Grade 3: moderate growth with excess skin
  • Grade 4: significant growth with excess skin

The gynecomastia grades and stages overview goes into more detail about this grading system.

pseudoGynecomastia

Pseudogynecomastia

Although true gynecomastia is primarily made up of excess breast gland tissue, it often involves excess fatty tissue as well.

Pseudogynecomastia is the term used to describe the condition where there is simply additional fatty tissue without any excess gland tissue.

While it may outwardly resemble gynecomastia and result in the appearance of “man boobs,” its root cause is fat deposition. In these cases, the condition can sometimes be addressed through lifestyle modifications.

However, pseudogynecomastia often can persist despite lifestyle changes. In these cases, surgical intervention, primarily through liposuction, is frequently recommended for treatment.

It should be noted that for many cases of gynecomastia, there is both extra gland tissue and extra fatty tissue. If that is the case, a surgical procedure will resolve both of these issues at once. During the surgery, both the extra breast gland tissue and excess fatty tissue are removed through a combination of excision and liposuction. 

If you’re seeking clarity on what’s causing your gynecomastia and discussing potential solutions, consider scheduling a visit to the Boston Gynecomastia Specialists.

Schedule a Consultation

Although gynecomastia can be distressing, it’s important to understand that effective treatment options exist. Our knowledgeable medical professionals at the Boston Gynecomastia Specialists are committed to providing individualized care that caters to each patient’s specific needs (such as in these before and after results). 

So, whether you’re in need of medical advice, contemplating surgical options, or just seeking guidance, our team is dedicated to supporting you throughout your journey. Take the first step towards a more confident you by scheduling an appointment with our experts today.


The Boston Gynecomastia Specialists is the premier Greater Boston Gynecomastia Center of excellence. We prioritize delivering exceptional care from your initial consultation to your recovery and beyond. We deeply value the trust you place in us and are committed to upholding the highest standards of patient care. Our team, led by Dr. Edwin Ishoo, a board-certified surgeon specializing in gynecomastia treatment, is devoted to achieving optimal surgical results for each individual. Recognizing that every person is unique, we personalize our approach to meet your specific needs. Whether you have questions or are ready to schedule your personalized in-person consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact the Boston Gynecomastia Specialists today. We’re here to support you every step of the way!

Boston Gynecomastia Specialists
1260 Cambridge st
Cambridge, MA 02139
(888) 380-322

Contact us today

what is Gynecomastia?
Gynecomastia procedure infographic