What Is Gynecomastia? Understanding This Common but Overlooked Condition in MenAustin Gynecomastia Center

Yesterday, I walked into the waiting room at the Austin Gynecomastia Center to greet a baby who had traveled from Canada with his parents. His father had surgery with me the day before. Sitting nearby was the mother of another patient I had just operated on. As we all talked, both women had the same realization: “I didn’t even know gynecomastia was a thing.”

That’s something I hear often. Despite being incredibly common, gynecomastia—a condition in which men develop excess breast tissue—is still widely misunderstood or simply unknown. Most people can’t even pronounce it, much less grasp the deep emotional and psychological toll it takes on those who suffer from it.

Gynecomastia can affect males of all ages and backgrounds. It causes embarrassment, social anxiety, and body image issues that can last for years. Yet, because of the stigma or lack of awareness, many men live with it in silence, not knowing that a highly effective treatment exists.

At the Austin Gynecomastia Center, we’ve been leading the charge in raising awareness and providing expert surgical care for over two decades. I literally wrote the book on modern gynecomastia treatment, and our patients come from around the world because we understand both the physical and emotional aspects of this condition.

If you’re just discovering gynecomastia for the first time—or wondering if it's what you’ve been dealing with—know that you’re not alone. Help is available, and life after gynecomastia is better than you think.