Do you have "moobs"? Don't use marijuana.

Moobs?

Moobs is a shortened name for “man boobs”, which is a slang term for male breast tissue, also known in medical terminology as gynecomastia.  Gynecomastia is far more common than people think.  It affects anywhere from 33-41% of men between the ages of 25 and 45.  And it affects 55-60% of men over the age of 50.  

It also is a matter of considerable distress for men who suffer with it, not withstanding Seinfeld's use of it as a comedic theme in an episode a few years ago. It can be the subject of frequent and humiliating teasing.

Gynecomastia is caused by a hormone imbalance between the male hormone, testosterone, and it’s female counterpart, estrogen.  When estrogen dominates, men are prone to develop “moobs”. 

Now, we are finding in animal studies, that the active ingredient in marijuana may contribute to the imbalance of estrogen over testosterone. Can this cause “moobs” in pot smokers? Are we going find an increase in the occurrence of gynecomastia? I know as a Fort Myers plastic surgeon, I have seen a great increase in the number of men with gynecomastia.  Nationally, the number of men who had surgery for gynecomastia rose 30% from 2011 to 2012.  

So you may want to reconsider the “joint” if you have “moobs”.

Male breasts are not inconsequential

It seems that gynecomastia is more common than I thought.  

It is, simply put, male breast tissue.  It can affect young adolescents to senior citizens. It’s effects on the younger generation are huge.  

I recently read a study that compared two similar age groups from 12-21.  One group had gynecomastia.  Those individuals with gynecomastia had consistently lower ratings of general health, lower self esteem, social functioning and mental health.  Some young teens had eating disorders and it did not seem to correlate with the degree of gynecomastia.  As a plastic surgeon in Florida, I have witnessed the severe depression that many of these patients feel. It's a shame. But not irreversible.