Family Doctor Health Advisor
Children: Babies under one
Sleeping problems in babies | Excessive crying | Fever in babies | Vomiting in babies | Diarrhoea in babies | Feeding problems | Slow weight gain | Skin problems in babies
Children: All ages
Feeling generally unwell | Tiredness | Sleeping problems in children | Growth problems | Excessive weight gain | Fever in children | Rash with fever | Skin problems in children | Hair, scalp, and nail problems | Itching | Lumps and swellings | Dizziness, fainting, and seizures | Headache | Confusion and/or drowsiness | Clumsiness | Speech difficulties | Behaviour problems | School difficulties | Eye problems | Disturbed or impaired vision | Painful or irritated ear | Hearing problems | Runny or blocked nose | Sore throat | Coughing | Breathing problems | Mouth problems | Teeth problems | Eating problems | Vomiting in children | Abdominal pain | Diarrhoea in children | Constipation | Abnormal-looking faeces | Urinary problems | Toilet-training problems | Genital problems in boys | Genital problems in girls | Painful arm or leg | Joint and back problems | Foot problems | Limping
Children: Adolescents
Adolescent weight problems | Adolescent behaviour problems | Problems with puberty in boys | Problems with puberty in girls | Adolescent skin problems
Problems with puberty in boys
The time when a child goes through the physical changes involved in becoming an adult is known as puberty. On average, most boys start puberty at 12 years of age; however any age between 9 and 15 years is considered normal. The earliest sign of puberty is usually enlargement of the penis and testes. Other signs of puberty include the ability to ejaculate seminal fluid, the growth of body and facial hair, and deepening of the voice. In boys, the adolescent growth spurt does not tend to occur until puberty is well established. Occasionally, puberty may be associated with a temporary enlargement of breast tissue (see Breast development in males), which can be embarrassing but is no risk to health.
Is your child showing any of the following signs of puberty?
- Enlargement of the penis and testes
- Pubic hair growth
- A deepening voice
- Frequent erections
Breast development in males
Normally, males have very little breast tissue; however, there are circumstances in which one or both breasts enlarge, a condition known as gynaecomastia.
It is quite common for adolescent boys to develop an enlargement of one or both breasts. This enlargement is usually caused by the changes in the body's hormone levels that occur during puberty, and it usually disappears on its own within 18 months to 3 years.
An overweight male of any age may appear to have breasts because of a build-up of fatty tissue on the chest wall. Sensible weight loss (see How to lose weight safely) should reduce their size.
When gynaecomastia occurs in older men, it is usually due to a side effect of a prescribed drug or, in some cases, liver disease. The treatment of gynaecomastia depends on the underlying cause, but excess tissue may be removed surgically if necessary.
Breast cancer can occur in males, although it is rare. For this reason, any changes in a breast should be checked by your doctor.
Family Doctor Health Advisor is for information purposes only, and is designed as a general reference and catalyst to seeking further information.
The RACGP is not engaged in providing medical or other advice or services, and is not responsible for the results of any actions taken by any person on the basis of any information in this publication, or for any error in, or omission from, this publication.
Publication Date: 31 March 2009
Authorised By: RACGP
