My Doctor Said I Don’t Have Gynecomastia, But I Feel a Lump on My Chest

Dear Doctor,

Your website has been extremely helpful in dealing with my hair loss. I began losing my hair at 21. By age 22 i began taking propecia, and it has worked great thus far. I regrew almost all the hair i lost. I am now 28, and last year i developed a mild case of gyno (I think). I went to my prescribing doctor and had the lump evaluated. He sent me for a mammogram & ultrasound. Nothing showed up, however i can feel a lump. The doctor said I shouldnt worry about it, because i have several fatty tissues all over my body. I was not diagnosed with gyno because the lump was not under the nipple.

Recently, I have notice another lump in my chest (other side). Does this sound like gyno? Should i continue taking propecia if i am developing breast lumps? I know it sounds silly, but id rather have benign lumps in my chest then baldness. Will reducing my dosage help? I am currently taking 1mg daily. Your feedback will be greatly appreciated!

You had a mammogram and ultrasound, and were told you didn’t have gynecomastia, so I am not sure what more I can contribute. I haven’t examined you, nor am I your prescribing doctor.

From the few cases of gynecomastia I have seen from Propecia, they have been painful, however, there still could be a connection. If you are looking for a second opinion or reassurance, the Internet is not the place. You need to see another doctor for an in-person exam to get a second opinion. I suppose in the most extreme circumstance you can have the lumps removed, but I have no idea if what you’re experiencing is even related to taking Propecia. Reducing the Propecia dose may or may not help, because again, I do not know if it is related to the lumps.

Many men (not on Propecia) still have fatty breast tissue. This is a sensitive subject for them and some men undergo a cosmetic procedure to remove the lumps. My point is that this is a difficult decision that you should talk through with your doctor.