Breasts* are a very personal part of your body. They’re a big part of how many women feel about their bodies and they can grow, change in size and shape during different stages of life.
Puberty usually starts around the age of 8 or 13 but some people may develop boobs before this and it’s totally normal. Women can also experience breast growth during pregnancy and menopause.
1. Weight Gain
Throughout a woman’s lifetime, her breasts will grow and shrink in response to changes in hormones. When you first enter puberty, your boobs will start to develop as a result of increased levels of estrogen and progesterone. This is the process that gives rise to your nipple and areola. Hormones also fluctuate around your menstrual cycle, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and during menopause. As a result, your boobs may change in size, become more sensitive or painful, or feel different from one side to the other. This is completely normal and can be caused by a variety of things.
Since your boobs are comprised of both breast tissue and fat tissue, they often increase in size when you gain weight, while they shrink when you lose it. This is why they’re so often the first place women notice their weight loss.
2. Birth Control Pills
A lot of teenagers start using birth control pills to help decrease their chance of getting pregnant. This means there’s a sudden rise and fall in the estrogen and progesterone levels which could make your boobs bigger or smaller depending on the type of pill you’re taking. It’s important to note that it’s not a permanent change, but it should be monitored closely if you notice any changes in shape or texture, and consult your doctor. You might need to wear a larger bra for extra support. You can also try extended-cycle pills if you’re interested in trying them out.
3. Pregnancy
As a woman gets older, her breasts are prone to changes due to hormones like those used just before and during menstrual cycles, pregnancy and breastfeeding. The hormones estrogen and progesterone trigger breast growth during puberty and during the first trimester of a pregnancy, notes Baby Center. During the latter, a woman’s breasts often enlarge by at least one cup size as she prepares to feed a new baby. But it’s important to note that breast changes aren’t always the same for all women and can occur at different times in their lives. And they can also change after the birth of a child or even after menopause. This is due to the fact that each breast has a different amount of fatty, fibrous and glandular tissue.
4. Menopause
A common concern of women at this age is that their breasts aren’t growing as large as they used to. This is normal, as menopause causes changes to your body. As a woman goes through premenopause, which is the period before menopause, her hormone levels fluctuate and can cause breast changes.
During this time, women will experience pain and tenderness in their breasts. This can be a sign of a breast cyst or fibroids, or it could simply be due to the hormones in your body. If you are experiencing this, you should speak to a doctor and seek treatment.
Women also experience breast pain as they enter perimenopause and menopause. This is due to the changes in your body’s hormone levels, especially as estrogen begins to drop. This can cause sagging of the nipples and areolae, which can be a painful and uncomfortable experience.
During this time, your nipples and areolae will darken in color. This is nothing to worry about, but it is a normal part of the aging process. This is also the time when you will experience hot flashes, which are caused by a change in your hormones. You can take precautions to help reduce these, such as drinking plenty of water and avoiding spicy foods. You can also try taking supplements, such as flaxseeds or soy products, to help relieve these symptoms.
