Why is it that?......

[combatwombat]

Doctors say gynecomastia will go away on its own if a teenager has it.  But once you are past 22 or so then its permanent? Does it have something to due with peak testosterone levels? and the docs are hoping that when the testosterone peaks at 20 years old or something that it'll straighten out the hormonal imbalance and get rid of it? Or does a 27 year old's and a 14 year old's gynecomastia differ?

Also, is it true that smoking marijuana contribues to gynecomastia? i've only smoked once, but had gynecomastia at that time, so i dont know if this myth is true. 

[DrBermant]

Doctors say gynecomastia will go away on its own if a teenager has it.  But once you are past 22 or so then its permanent? Does it have something to due with peak testosterone levels? and the docs are hoping that when the testosterone peaks at 20 years old or something that it'll straighten out the hormonal imbalance and get rid of it? Or does a 27 year old's and a 14 year old's gynecomastia differ?

Also, is it true that smoking marijuana contribues to gynecomastia? i've only smoked once, but had gynecomastia at that time, so i dont know if this myth is true. 

Actually it has to do with time since onset. This applies to both a Teenager with Gynecomastia or someone with recent onset of breast enlargement from another source such as a Drug Causing Gynecomastia. Once that stimulation stops, swelling can resolve. Residual fibrotic gland will not go away on its own.  That is why being patient after recent onset is so important.

There are no decent studies documenting Marijuana as a cause of gynecomastia. A single use is extremely unlikely to be a cause.

Hope this helps,

Michael Bermant, MD
Learn More About Gynecomastia and Male Breast Reduction