Over the past several years, public opinion has changed regarding marijuana. Recently, former Republican Senate Majority Leader, The Honorable John Boehner, joined the board of a multi-state cannabis company. Imagine how much weed somebody smoked to come up with that idea!
While perhaps less risky than alcohol, marijuana does have its side effects. One risk of marijuana may be breast growth in men. This could be from plant-based hormones.
All men naturally have some breast tissue, but overgrowth can be troublesome. The medical term for male breast tissue overgrowth is “gynecomastia.” Gynecomastia can manifest as puffy nipples all the way to fully formed breasts.
Gynecomastia can actually cause a lot of suffering. Some patients always wear two t-shirts to cover their chest – no matter how hot the weather. Others avoid the pool and water activities.
Treatment of gynecomastia generally involves liposuction of the chest area as well as glandular excision. Gynecomastia tissue is often too dense to be treated by just liposuction alone. Patients go home the same day and generally do quite well.
Most cases of gynecomastia however, are sporadic, and not related to any identifiable factor.
