Gynecomastia prevalence varies from approximately 25% to 65% among adolescents and adults, depending on the age of subjects studied.[3]Kanakis GA, Nordkap L, Bang AK, et al. EAA clinical practice guidelines-gynecomastia evaluation and management. Andrology. 2019 Nov;7(6):778-93.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/andr.12636
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31099174?tool=bestpractice.com
[4]Narula HS, Carlson HE. Gynaecomastia-pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2014 Nov;10(11):684-98.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25112235?tool=bestpractice.com
[5]Gossner J. Gynecomastia on computed tomography of the chest -prevalence in a clinical population and an analysis of possible causes. Eur J Breast Health. 2019 Jan;15(1):67-8.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6385724
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30816365?tool=bestpractice.com
[6]Aslan Ö, Bayraktaroğlu S, Çinkooğlu A, et al. Prevalence of incidental gynecomastia by chest computed tomography in patients with a prediagnosis of COVID-19 pneumonia. Eur J Breast Health. 2021 Apr;17(2):173-9.
https://eurjbreasthealth.com/articles/doi/ejbh.galenos.2021.6251
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33870118?tool=bestpractice.com
It occurs in 60% to 90% of newborns, and usually resolves within a few weeks.[7]McKiernan JF, Hull D. Breast development in the newborn. Arch Dis Child. 1981 Jul;56(7):525-9.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1627340/pdf/archdisch00767-0041.pdf
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7271286?tool=bestpractice.com
Most pubertal boys develop gynecomastia, with average age of onset at 11 to 12 years. By 14 years, 60% of boys have gynecomastia.[8]Nydick M, Bustos J, Dale JH Jr, et al. Gynecomastia in adolescent boys. JAMA. 1961 Nov 4;178:449-54.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14480779?tool=bestpractice.com
This resolves in most cases within a few months. Persistent pubertal gynecomastia may be present in 3% to 10% of adolescents in their late teens.[3]Kanakis GA, Nordkap L, Bang AK, et al. EAA clinical practice guidelines-gynecomastia evaluation and management. Andrology. 2019 Nov;7(6):778-93.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/andr.12636
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/31099174?tool=bestpractice.com
[9]Priskorn L, Nordkap L, Bang AK, et al. Average sperm count remains unchanged despite reduction in maternal smoking: results from a large cross-sectional study with annual investigations over 21 years. Hum Reprod. 2018 Jun 1;33(6):998-1008.
https://academic.oup.com/humrep/article/33/6/998/4967751
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29659832?tool=bestpractice.com
Gynecomastia is present in 33% to 41% of men ages 25 to 45 years, and in 55% to 60% of men over the age of 50 years.[4]Narula HS, Carlson HE. Gynaecomastia-pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2014 Nov;10(11):684-98.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25112235?tool=bestpractice.com
[10]Nuttall FQ. Gynecomastia as a physical finding in normal men. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1979 Feb;48(2):338-40.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/429488?tool=bestpractice.com
[11]Niewoehner CB, Nuttall FQ. Gynecomastia in a hospitalized male population. Am J Med. 1984 Oct;77(4):633-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6486139?tool=bestpractice.com
Most of these men are asymptomatic and are unaware that they have breast tissue. Autopsy studies report gynecomastia in 45% to 50% of men.[12]Anderson JA, Gram JB. Male breast at autopsy. Acta Pathol Microbiol Immunol Scand. 1982 May;90(3):191-7.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6285667?tool=bestpractice.com
Gynecomastia correlates with increased body mass index and/or obesity in some, but not all, studies.[11]Niewoehner CB, Nuttall FQ. Gynecomastia in a hospitalized male population. Am J Med. 1984 Oct;77(4):633-8.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6486139?tool=bestpractice.com
[13]Georgiadis E, Papandreou L, Evangelopoulou C, et al. Incidence of gynaecomastia in 954 young males and its relationship to somatometric parameters. Ann Hum Biol. 1994 Nov-Dec;21(6):579-87.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7840497?tool=bestpractice.com
[14]Ersöz Hö, Onde ME, Terekeci H, et al. Causes of gynaecomastia in young adult males and factors associated with idiopathic gynaecomastia. Int J Androl. 2002 Oct;25(5):312-6.
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1046/j.1365-2605.2002.00374.x
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12270030?tool=bestpractice.com
[15]Kim MS, Kim JH, Lee KH, et al. Incidental gynecomastia on thoracic computed tomography in clinical practice: characteristics, radiologic features, and correlation with possible causes in South Korean Men. Am J Mens Health. 2020 May-Jun;14(3):1557988320908102.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1557988320908102
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/32456508?tool=bestpractice.com
[16]Klang E, Kanana N, Grossman A, et al. Quantitative CT assessment of gynecomastia in the general population and in dialysis, cirrhotic, and obese patients. Acad Radiol. 2018 May;25(5):626-35.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29326049?tool=bestpractice.com