How Can I Assess Whether I Have Gynecomastia from Propecia?

I have been on generic finasteride 1.25mg daily for the last 3 and a 1/2 months, prescribed by a hair transplant consultant.

I am worried that I may be starting to develop gynecomastia, my chest area around my nipples feels softer than usual. There also appears to be a slight protrusion of the nipples, whether this is a reality I am not so sure. I am by no means overweight but I have a good “pinch” of belly fat at the moment. However I have been the same weight to the best of my knowledge since commencing with finasteride.

I have searched your archive but there seems to be no example/instruction of how to assess whether you have “gyno” or not? I know self diagnosis is not to be advocated but is there any way the layman can make an objective judgement?

I really enjoy your blog and it is great to have a professional opinion on hair loss available online.

This diagnosis is best made by a doctor. There’s no real instructions on assessment, but this article may prove valuable to you — Evaluation and treatment of gynecomastia. If you are really experiencing more breast tenderness, it may be caused by Propecia (finasteride 1mg), but for enlargement of the breasts from gynecomastia, this is a diagnosis that requires an examination. Although breast cancer is rare and usually not tender, any mass in the male chest should be examined by a professional familiar with the difference between breast cancer and gynecomastia.

Was the consultant who prescribed you Propecia a physician? If not, then he broke the law by prescribing a prescription item and this should bother you. I would hope that if you had a doctor prescribe the medication, that doctor should be responsible enough to see you again and examine you accordingly.