Video
Dr Pixie:
A subject that has come up over and over and over again are breasts. Lots of you have questions about breast development; for example, ‘when should girls start developing breasts?’ Usually girls develop breasts anytime between the age of eight and sixteen, average age is about twelve.
A lot of you asked, well, how late can you develop boobs? It is definitely important to see a doctor if you haven’t any breast development by the age of 20, to check to see if there are any hormonal imbalances.
There were many questions about ‘is it normal for girls to grow boobs before they have their periods or after they have their periods?’ Generally, there isn’t any chronological order, so either way is normal. Some of you worried about the size of breasts. ‘Should breasts be symmetrical?’ Actually, about 99% of women have asymmetrical breasts, and in about 40% of cases, there’s almost a cup size in the difference.
There were also lots of worries about nipples, ‘what happens if the nipples point outwards?’ It’s perfectly normal, don’t be concerned; they can point outwards, upwards, inwards, downwards…don’t worry. And as regards hairs, lots of you worried, ‘is it abnormal to have hairy nipples?’ It’s not, and the best way to get rid of the hair is actually to cut it finely with a little scissors close to the nipple. Try to avoid shaving or plucking, because that can lead to infections.
A lot of you were worried about little pus-filled spots that you were getting around your nipples. They are quite common, actually, and what they are, are little cysts in sebaceous glands around the nipple—we call them Montgomery’s tubercles. They’re not dangerous, and the best thing you can do is, don’t squeeze them or pick them.
And I think the most important point is, if you find anything, like a lump or a discharge or discomfort, anything that’s not normal for you, go and see a doctor and get it checked out.
Doctor Responses: Breasts
Dr Pixie answers your most frequently asked questions about breasts such as: When should girls start developing breasts? Is it normal for nipples to point away from each other? Is it normal to have asymmetric boobs?
With thanks to the Baker Street Medical Centre
Yes
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I am 18 years old and have had a small lump in the top of my armpit for a few months now. I'm really scared about what it could be, although other than the lump there are no other symptoms. the lump feels fairly soft, like a sort of fleshy lump and can be got hold of-it feels like its in the skin or just under it but im terrified. it can be quite tender. please tell me its nothing bad?
I am 15. I started puberty at about 9 when my pubic hair started growing down below. Then I start developing breasts I started wearing crop tops now I am wearing bras. I feel uncomfortable because when you put slight pressure on my boobs it gives me sharp pain.
im 18 i have breast pains and the pain started when i was 15 the pains are some time dale sting or sharp sting pains can you help me with this
I have a spot on my nipple and my breast feels very tender to touch and movement. I have squeezed what looked like a spot and puss came out and has done a couple of times. I have applied savlon cream nut should I be worried?
Hello, I am 17 years old, and I have been on the contraceptive pill for about six months now, for the past four days I have noticed that my left breast has swollen in size and is very sore to touch and can ache from time to time, my veins also become more predonament and you can notice the size difference through my shirts, do I need to worry?
i have a sore armpit which goes in to the side of my right breast and unsure what this could be? x
I'm 19 yrs old and for as long as I can remember I've had a yellow solid in the middle of my nipple where the duct is that comes and goes every now and then. I never thought anything of it until my boyfriend mentioned it once and now I can't stop thinking somethings wrong. Is this normal? x
im 33 with 3 children. my breast are really small and i was wondering what i could do to help them grow got bigger when breastfeeding but now small again real depressing all my sisters are bigger
Hi,im 20 years old, 18 months ago i gave birth to my son. I had really nice breasts before the pregnency, but not for long from a size 32D they just disapperd and now a 32AA is way to big for me, im so embarest to wear a top which shows of any part of my chest beacuse everyone is laughing at me and saying i have a flat chest i cannot stop thinking about it, i started to hate my body. Beacuse of this i have problems sleeping, i dont have any confidence what so ever, i do not go swiming i dont do nothing that includes my breasts, they horrible can u please just tell me what to do. Eating more and exericing its not helping already try'd. Will they ever change?? I dont want to wear fake bra for rest of my life. :( :(
I'm 17 and i have large nipples with small 'odd shaped' breasts and it's really getting me depressed, so was wondering if they will grow into my nipples, so they look more well 'normal'...also i get small hairs around them and when removing makes them look like small dark dots around them. Anyone know any reason or advice on what i can do please?
