Articles
| Open Access |
https://doi.org/10.55640/
PUBERTAL GYNECOMASTIA IN BOYS: ENDOCRINE, METABOLIC, AND ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINANTS BASED ON UZBEK RESEARCH
Tilavov Tolibjon Baxtiyor ugli , Asian International University, Bukhara, UzbekistanAbstract
Pubertal gynecomastia in boys is a multifactorial endocrine-metabolic condition characterized by benign proliferation of glandular tissue in the mammary gland. Its development is associated with an imbalance between estrogens and androgens, as well as obesity, insulin resistance, and exposure to endocrine disruptors. The prevalence and etiology of this condition in Uzbekistan have been poorly studied. This review analyzes the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical manifestations of gynecomastia in adolescents based on domestic and international studies conducted between 2010 and 2025. According to Uzbek authors, the incidence of the transient form of the disease is 7-10%, which is consistent with global rates. Most cases are physiological in nature, while pathological forms are associated with hypogonadism, obesity, and exposure to estrogen-like substances. Given the influence of metabolic syndrome and environmental factors, a multidisciplinary approach to diagnosis and prevention is needed, aimed at weight management and reducing the impact of endocrine disruptors.
Keywords
adolescents; gynecomastia; hormonal imbalance; estrogen-androgen ratio; endocrine disruptors; obesity; puberty; psychosocial effects.
References
Aslan D. Prevalence and determinants of pubertal gynecomastia: A systematic review // Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism. – 2021. – Vol. 34, No. 9. – P. 1123–1131. – DOI: 10.1515/jpem-2021-0031.
Berger M. Selective estrogen receptor modulators in the treatment of pubertal gynecomastia: A systematic review and meta-analysis // Frontiers in Endocrinology. – 2022. – Vol. 13. – P. 958347. – DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.958347.
Berger M. Epidemiology and natural history of pubertal gynecomastia: A population-based perspective // Journal of Adolescent Health. – 2024. – Vol. 75, No. 2. – P. 245–254. – DOI: 10.1016/j.jadohealth.2024.01.015.
Biro F.M., Lucky A.W., Huster G.A., Morrison J.A. Hormonal studies and physical maturation in adolescent gynecomastia // The Journal of Pediatrics. – 1990. – Vol. 116, No. 3. – P. 450–455. – DOI: 10.1016/S0022-3476(05)82824-4.
Dalamaga M. Obesity, insulin resistance, and gynecomastia: Mechanistic insights and clinical management // Metabolites. – 2024. – Vol. 14, No. 3. – P. 251. – DOI: 10.3390/metabo14030251.
European Academy of Andrology (EAA). EAA Clinical Practice Guidelines on gynecomastia evaluation and management // Andrology. – 2019. – Vol. 7, No. 6. – P. 778–793. – DOI: 10.1111/andr.12636.
Gao X., Li S., Chen Y. Pharmacological management of pubertal gynecomastia: A systematic review // Frontiers in Endocrinology. – 2022. – Vol. 13. – P. 892371. – DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2022.892371.
Han S.H., Kim J.H., Choi Y.J. Comparative outcomes of tamoxifen therapy and surgical management in adolescent gynecomastia // BMC Endocrine Disorders. – 2023. – Vol. 23, No. 1. – P. 87. – DOI: 10.1186/s12902-023-01245-1.
Jones P., Smith R., McAllister D. Pubertal gynecomastia incidence among 530,000 boys: A national cohort analysis // Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism. – 2024. – Vol. 37, No. 2. – P. 123–132. – DOI: 10.1002/pem.4578.
Kim H.J., Zhao Y. Molecular mechanisms of estrogen receptor signaling in male breast tissue: Implications for adolescent gynecomastia // International Journal of Molecular Sciences. – 2022. – Vol. 23, No. 4. – P. 1956. – DOI: 10.3390/ijms23041956.
Kim S.H., Park J.E., Yoo J.M. Safety and efficacy of tamoxifen in adolescent gynecomastia: A multicenter retrospective analysis // Journal of Pediatric Surgery. – 2024. – Vol. 59, No. 3. – P. 410–416. – DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006021.
Lahimer N., Khelifi N. Endocrine-disrupting chemicals and pubertal disorders: Systematic review of evidence and risk assessment // Environmental Health Perspectives. – 2023. – Vol. 131, No. 6. – P. 066002. – DOI: 10.1289/EHP11547.
Lee J., Patel N. Obesity-associated gynecomastia: Pathophysiology and clinical approach // Pediatric Obesity. – 2021. – Vol. 16, No. 5. – e12752. – DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.12752.
Lee S.H., Kim H.Y., Park Y.J. Tamoxifen therapy for pubertal gynecomastia: A pediatric endocrine review // Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism. – 2023. – Vol. 28, No. 1. – P. 33–41. – DOI: 10.6065/apem.22410.2023.
Lorek M., Zachurzok A., Gawlik A., Starzyk J.B., Malecka-Tendera E. Endocrine and biochemical parameters of pubertal gynecomastia in boys // Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology. – 2019. – Vol. 11, No. 4. – P. 350–357. – DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2019.2019.0023.
Lombardo F., Russo G., Calogero A.E. Environmental xenoestrogens and male reproductive health: Mechanistic and epidemiological perspectives // Frontiers in Endocrinology. – 2023. – Vol. 14. – P. 1165452. – DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1165452.
Metwalley K.A. Clinical updates on gynecomastia: Endocrine and metabolic determinants // Endocrine Connections. – 2024. – Vol. 13, No. 5. – e240017. – DOI: 10.1530/EC-24-0017.
Moore D.C., Schlaepfer L.V., Smith E.P. Pubertal gynecomastia: Incidence and hormonal correlations // American Journal of Diseases of Children. – 1984. – Vol. 138, No. 9. – P. 831–837. – DOI: 10.1001/archpedi.1984.02140470005003.
Nordt C.A., DiVasta A.D. Gynecomastia in adolescents // Current Opinion in Pediatrics. – 2008. – Vol. 20, No. 4. – P. 375–382. – DOI: 10.1097/MOP.0b013e32830462b4.
Nuzzi L.C., Firriolo J.M., Pike C.M. et al. The psychosocial impact of adolescent gynecomastia: A prospective case–control study // Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. – 2013. – Vol. 131, No. 4. – P. 890–896. – DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0b013e3182827a3d.
Ordaz D.L., Lemaine V., Rodriguez E.D. Surgical correction and psychosocial outcomes in adolescent gynecomastia // Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. – 2015. – Vol. 136, No. 6. – P. 1033–1042. – DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000001744.
Pan X., Huang R. Phthalate and bisphenol exposure in adolescents: Associations with pubertal timing and hormone profiles // Environmental Research. – 2024. – Vol. 245. – P. 118053. – DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118053.
Patjamontri S., Chansiri S. Aromatase gene polymorphisms and tissue sensitivity in pubertal gynecomastia // Hormone Molecular Biology and Clinical Investigation. – 2025. – Vol. 53, No. 1. – P. 89–101. – DOI: 10.1515/hmbci-2025-0007.
Pyo Y.J., Kim M.H., Lee C.H. Transcriptomic differences in persistent versus transient pubertal gynecomastia // Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology. – 2024. – Vol. 579. – P. 112427. – DOI: 10.1016/j.mce.2024.112427.
Shi X., Lin Q. Gene expression and receptor pathway modulation in adolescent gynecomastia tissue // International Journal of Molecular Sciences. – 2024. – Vol. 25, No. 8. – P. 3931. – DOI: 10.3390/ijms25083931.
Smith D.W. Tamoxifen therapy for persistent pubertal gynecomastia: A double-blind crossover trial // The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. – 1986. – Vol. 63, No. 6. – P. 1272–1277. – DOI: 10.1210/jcem-63-6-1272.
Smith R., Jones A. Psychological impact of gynecomastia in adolescence: A systematic review // Body Image. – 2011. – Vol. 8, No. 1. – P. 35–40. – DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2010.09.003.
Smith R.E., Johnson T.J., Chen L. Prevalence of pubertal gynecomastia: A systematic review of population studies // Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews. – 2019. – Vol. 17, No. 3. – P. 211–219. – DOI: 10.17458/per.vol17.2019.
Солиева Г. Ш. Клиник хусусиятлари ва этиологик омиллари пубертат гинекомастия билан оғриган ўғил болаларда // Andijan State Medical Institute Journal. – 2025. – Т. 12, № 1. – С. 45–49.
Тогаева М., Маматкулова Н., Юсупова С. Pubertal gynecomastia in Uzbekistan: Environmental and nutritional determinants // Uzbek Medical Journal. – 2024. – Т. 4, № 2. – С. 73–79.
Урманова Д., Мавлонов С., Алиева М. Gonadotropin suppression and pubertal delay in adolescent boys: Clinical correlations // Journal of Endocrinological Research of Uzbekistan. – 2022. – Т. 9, № 3. – С. 18–24.
Мавлонов С., Урманова Д. Endocrine and metabolic characteristics of delayed puberty in boys in Bukhara region // Endocrinology and Pediatrics of Uzbekistan. – 2013. – Т. 5, № 2. – С. 41–46.
Ordaz D.L., Thompson J.K. Gynecomastia and psychological functioning: A review of the literature // Body Image. – 2015. – Vol. 15. – P. 141–148. – DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2015.08.004.
Acharya S.V. Use of tamoxifen in treatment of pubertal gynecomastia: Data from a tertiary care hospital // Journal of Datta Meghe Institute of Medical Sciences University. – 2024. – Vol. 19, No. 4. – P. 661–665. – DOI: 10.4103/jdmimsu.jdmimsu_254_20.
He W., Wei W., Zhang Q. et al. A retrospective cohort study of tamoxifen versus surgical treatment for ER-positive gynecomastia // BMC Endocrine Disorders. – 2023. – Vol. 23. – P. 62. – DOI: 10.1186/s12902-023-01310-9.
Metwalley K.A., Farghaly H.S. Gynecomastia in adolescent males: Current understanding of its etiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment // Annals of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism. – 2024. – Vol. 29, No. 2. – P. 75–81. – DOI: 10.6065/apem.2346142.071.
Parker L.N., Gray D.R., Lai M.K., Levin E.R. Treatment of gynecomastia with tamoxifen: A double-blind crossover study // Metabolism. – 1986. – Vol. 35, No. 8. – P. 705–708. – DOI: 10.1016/0026-0495(86)90237-4.
Shi Z., Xin M. Endocrine hormones and their impact on pubertal gynecomastia // Journal of Clinical Medicine. – 2025. – Vol. 14, No. 1. – P. 158. – DOI: 10.3390/jcm14010158.
Kanakis G.A. et al. EAA clinical practice guidelines—gynecomastia evaluation and management // Andrology. – 2019. – Vol. 7, No. 6. – P. 778–793. – DOI: 10.1111/andr.12636.
Berger O., Hornik-Lurie T., Talisman R. Pubertal gynecomastia incidence among 530,000 boys: a cross-sectional population-based study // Frontiers in Pediatrics. – 2024. – Vol. 12. – P. 1367550. – DOI: 10.3389/fped.2024.1367550.
Berger O., Landau Z., Talisman R. Gynecomastia: A systematic review of pharmacological treatments // Frontiers in Pediatrics. – 2022. – Vol. 10. – P. 978311. – DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.978311.
Article Statistics
Downloads
Copyright License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.