What Can We Expect When We Visit The Doctor?
Print PageBring all prescription drugs, herbs, and supplements you are taking with you to your doctor’s visit. Be honest with your doctor if you drink heavily or use street drugs. Your doctor may consult with a pharmacist to find out if your gynecomastia could be the result of a drug interaction.
Be prepared to answer these questions when the doctor takes your history:
- When did you first notice the breast enlargement?
- Is there any discharge, and if so, what color and consistency?
- Have you ever had mumps?
- Have you lost any hair on your chest, underarms or face?
- Do you also have enlarged testicles?
- Does your scrotum feel heavier than usual?
- Does your breast size vary or remain the same?
- Is there tenderness or pain in your breasts or groin?
- Have you ever had your nipples pierced, and if so, were there complications?
- Do you regularly use prescription or street drugs?
- Do you regularly drink alcohol?
- Do you use herbs or body building preparations?
- Have you noticed a decline in your sexual interest (libido)?
- Are you able to maintain an erection?
- Have you noticed any purple stretch marks on your skin, or facial swelling?
- Have you ever had cyclical bleeding from your urinary tract?
- Have you ever had a urinary tract infection?
- Have you been fasting or unable to take regular nourishment until recently?
If you have bronze skin, it may flag your doctor to ask in-depth questions about your liver and kidney function.
Following the history, your doctor will then perform a physical examination of your breasts, sex organs, and neurological functioning. He or she will specifically look for dimpling, ulcers, color changes, and asymmetry in your breasts. Your doctor will feel (palpate) for a mass in your testicles because Leydig’s and Sertoli’s cell tumors cause gynecomastia. Your doctor must look at your groin for ambiguous genitals (pseudohermaphroditism and testicular feminization). Many nerve conditions are associated with gynecomastia, so your doctor must test your reflexes and muscle strength.