Why Do Teenage Boys Have Lumps on Their Chests?
After entering adolescence, males will continue to develop physically, and their secondary sexual characteristics will also develop continuously. Phenomena such as enlarged testicles, growth of pubic hair, and acne may occur. When testosterone secretion increases, there may also be a transient increase in the secretion of the estrogen "estradiol", leading to the appearance of breast lumps and tenderness in boys.
Male breast lumps can range from small sizes similar to buttons to sizes comparable to normal female breasts. This condition is known as male gynecomastia. Boys may experience palpable lumps under their nipples and areolas during the initial stages of development until around age 18. This is considered male gynecomastia during adolescence and is related to changes in hormones, improper diet, irregular lifestyle, genetic defects, and other factors. Generally, no special treatment is required, and some cases may resolve spontaneously after 2 years. However, others may require surgical or medical treatment after age 18. The causes of gynecomastia in adult males are diverse, but overall, they are related to androgen levels. Male breast cancer is rare, but if a lump is detected in the chest, it is recommended to seek medical attention.
To understand why boys develop breasts, it is important to understand the process of male puberty. Generally, the first signs of puberty in boys are enlarged testicles and accelerated growth. With the development of secondary sexual characteristics, the secretion of the male hormone "testosterone" increases, leading to the growth of pubic hair, acne, and changes in voice. Finally, the development process is completed. During this developmental process, when testosterone secretion increases, there may also be a transient increase in the secretion of the estrogen "estradiol", leading to the appearance of breast lumps and tenderness in boys. As development progresses, testosterone becomes dominant in boys, and the breast lumps gradually disappear. This is a normal phenomenon during male puberty, and parents should not panic when encountering such situations.
