At what age do breasts fully develop?
Breasts usually start to develop around the age of 9, but it’s normal for them to start earlier or later. Girls usually begin puberty between the ages of 8 and 13 years old. The earliest sign of puberty in most girls is the development of breast “buds,” nickel-sized bumps under the nipple. It is not unusual for breast growth to start on one side before the other. It’s also common for breast buds to be somewhat tender or sore. Uneven breast growth and soreness are both totally normal and usually improve with time.
If a girl’s breasts start to develop at a younger age, this doesn’t mean she’ll have bigger breasts than someone who starts to develop later. The rate at which breasts grow is different for everyone.
How do breasts start to develop?
When breasts start to develop, a small bump called a breast bud grows under the nipple and areola (the darker area of skin around the nipple). The breasts get bigger and rounder as the fatty tissue and milk-producing glands inside the breasts continue to grow. The areola also gets bigger and darker and the nipples may stick out. By the age of 17, a girl’s breasts will usually be fully developed, although this may take a bit longer.
You’ll probably notice that you and your friends grow in different ways. One girl’s breasts may start to develop first, but her friend may get her period earlier. Bodies don’t develop in any set order and everyone’s different.
Aching, itching, or tender breasts
As the breast buds grow, you may notice tingling, aching, or itching in your chest, and your nipples may swell or become tender. This is all normal. After your periods begin, the changing hormones may make the breasts feel tender, painful, or sore a week or so just before your period starts.
Are my breasts normal?
It’s common to worry about whether your breasts are normal. But normal breasts come in different sizes and shapes and everyone’s breasts are different. Find out more about normal breasts and nipples.
Can I change the way my breasts develop?
There’s nothing you can do to speed up or slow down breast development.
Why do my breasts sag at a young age?
Fallen breast or breast sagging is a hot-button topic for many women around the globe. What can make breast fall early? While there are a lot of misconceptions about the causes and cures for breast ptosis (another word for sagging), every woman will eventually have to deal with it. Only some are luckier than others to have firm and perky breasts just a little longer. While sagging of teenage breasts is infrequent, some teenage girls, especially those who have large breasts or exercise frequently, might notice more sagging. Preventing the worsening of sagging breasts is much easier than treating it. If you notice your breasts are beginning to sag prematurely, don’t panic because several options are available to you.
How can you classify what stage of sagging your breasts are at?
Here is a clear illustration of the stages of breast sagging to help you understand the issue better.
Grade I: Mild Ptosis
You have mild breast sagging if your nipples fall right at the level of the inframammary fold (the crease beneath the breasts). With mild breast sagging, most of the lower breast tissue still hangs beneath the nipples.
Grade II: Moderate Ptosis
You have moderate breast sagging if your nipples rest just below the inframammary fold. Most of the breast tissue still hangs below the nipples, but there is noticeable sagging.
Grade III: Advanced or Severe Ptosis
You have advanced or severe ptosis if your nipples rest below the inframammary fold and the bulk of your breast tissue. The nipples are at the level of maximum breast projection and are pointing downward.
How to Avoid Having Sagging Breasts As A Young Woman
- Wear a supportive brassiere
Wear a supportive brassiere (bra). The way to look your best and protect the tissue of your breasts is to wear a bra that fits properly.
Have yourself properly fitted. Many women do not wear the correct bra, and they end up with something that doesn’t do its job.
Look for a quality store that specializes in bras and foundation items. This can be a department store, specialty shop, or foundation store. These stores employ staff who are knowledgeable and stock a wide selection of BRANDS of quality products and bras for harder-to-fit women.
Consult with a professional bra fitter and have your body properly measured. Many quality lingerie stores and department stores offer this service for free.
Feeling shy? That’s normal. Bring a female friend, a relative, or your mother. It’s always nice to have someone at your side!
- Select the correct bra for your needs.
Choose a bra with a wide back strap. The wider the back strap the more support you get in front. This may include bras with 3-6 hooks. You may like the look of a lacy bra with a one-hook closure in the back, but it won’t support larger breasts. Fortunately, colorful, lacy, cute, and/or sexy supportive bras can now be found in even the largest sizes.
Choose a bra designed to support large breasts. Many companies make structured bras designed to hold larger breasts firmly and comfortably.
Wear a supportive sports bra. This is particularly important in sports that have a lot of movement and bouncing, like running, soccer (football), and rugby. Larger-breasted women may need to shop for specialty sportswear online or in catalogs. Though it might be tempting, do not double up with sports bras. There are better options available even for the largest-breasted women.
- Make sure you are wearing your bra correctly
Put on your bra correctly. Take the proper amount of time to get dressed and be sure your straps are adjusted to your back. Straps tend to move around and get twisted during laundering. Hand wash your bras whenever possible. Allowing them to air dry, rather than putting them in the dryer, will make them last longer. Be sure and shape the cups as they are drying.
Lean forward when putting on your bra to ensure your chest is centered and perky. Also, make sure the middle of the bra is centered with your body. Look for the mid-point on your arm and your nipple line should be on the same level as that middle area of your arm. If it is too low, you aren’t getting enough support.
- Avoid health-related problems with breasts
The absolute best thing you can do to reduce the potential problems of sagging and fibro cystic lumps is to self-massage your breasts at least 3 to 5 times a week. This does two wonderful things: It releases stagnated fluids in the breasts for optimal breast health. It also can result in re-shaping and lifting them. Use a natural, organic breast massage oil, made just for breasts, for an enjoyable and deeply relaxing self-breast massage.
Consult your physician. He or she might have some ideas that can help or reassure you that your body is perfectly normal.
Your health care specialist may suggest a weight loss plan. It is common for women to gain weight in their chests. Don’t be offended if your doctor puts you on a diet–you can’t escape your genetic code. Your body may store fatty cells in your breast tissue, whereas other women store it in their hips, thighs, and abdomen.
Avoid yo-yo dieting. If you are constantly changing cup sizes, the repeating weight gain and loss will inevitably stretch your breast tissue. Report persistent back pain. You may need supplemental back support or a prescribed custom bra for your needs.
- Do not go braless
Avoid going braless. Gravity will inevitably cause your breasts to sag. Going without a bra for extended periods of time will further stretch the breast tissue. Do not wear your bra for more than 12 hours a day. Studies have shown that wearing a bra more than 12 hours a day may increase breast cancer risk. The extended wearing of tight bras “cages” toxins within the breast tissue by preventing the natural flow of the lymphatic fluids, which are designed to cleanse these toxins out of the tissues.
