What Are My Treatment Options?
Print PageFirst aid for mastalgia (breast pain) is to apply cold compresses and use analgesics. Place ice in a plastic bag and wrap it in a towel. Never allow ice to rest directly on the breast, because frostbite can occur. Hold the cold compress gently over the breast for a maximum of 20 minutes. Allow the breast at least 20 minutes to recover from the chilling. Never use aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or ASA) for a child under 19 who has a fever of viral origin. Children can develop Reyes syndrome, a rare but deadly form of brain and liver damage, from aspirin exposure. A better alternative is acetaminophen (paracetamol).
Self-help measures to reduce pain include:
- Avoid caffeine
- Take evening primrose oil and Vitamin E
If the breast swelling does not resolve in two weeks, see your doctor.
Most cases of gynecomastia in children do not require treatment. Your doctor will probably adopt a “watchful waiting” approach for one or two years.
True gynecomastia may respond to a prescription for testosterone, tamoxifen, clomiphene, danazol, oral contraceptives, bromocriptine, GnRH agonists, or testolactone. Pseudogynecomastia from obesity just requires diet and exercise, although obesity is often associated with lowered testosterone levels, therefore serum testosterone should be tested. If a painful cyst forms, your doctor may aspirate the fluid from it with a syringe to relieve pressure.
If drug treatment is unsuccessful after one year, then your doctor may suggest breast irradiation therapy. If that is unsuccessful, your doctor may suggest breast reduction surgery (mastectomy) with or without liposuction.