In modern society, female breasts are one of the symbols of sexuality. If breasts do not grow in adolescents, this leads to psychological problems that persist into adulthood. Subjective assessment of one's own appearance and possible ridicule from boys can significantly undermine self-esteem. Therefore, during preventive examinations, parents and the gynecologist must correlate the girl’s age and the nature of breast changes. Lack of growth at the age of 15-16 years requires active diagnosis and treatment.
At what age do girls' breasts begin to grow?
A schoolgirl may have her first crush. There is no erotic connotation here, but there is a sexual connotation - the girl begins to identify herself as a future woman.
Before this change affected mainly the psychological sphere, but now the little woman is already trying to master the role that she will have to play throughout her life. In boys, there is no such clear boundary before puberty.
During adolescence, a girl begins to identify herself as a woman
A girl’s sexual development is associated not only with self-determination, but also with those psychological and physiological issues that she will have to resolve. For example, developing the necessary hygiene skills.
Mothers of girls often wonder when will their daughter start to grow breasts? Is it too late? Isn't this happening too early? Is it necessary to consult a doctor?
The emergence of such questions is not uncommon due to changes in the timing and pace of puberty in girls, as well as the likelihood of specific problems arising.
Many women, being teenagers themselves, did not focus on this, because everything went on as usual. But if we are talking about our own child, then it is important to promptly identify disorders associated with the achievement of biological maturity in order to begin treatment.
What changes occur in the body of a teenage girl? Puberty is preceded by a period of two years of active growth. The onset of the first menstrual cycle indicates the girl's puberty. However, this is not related to age.
Most girls enter puberty at age 11. A girl's first period begins only at the age of 13. But there are exceptions: a girl can reach biological maturity at 8-9 years old, or the process is delayed until the age of 13.
Girls reach biological maturity at 11-13 years old
Sometimes biological maturity occurs at 7 years of age or only at 15 years of age. Achieving puberty at an earlier or later age is not associated with dysfunction of the endocrine glands. They just have a different, individual “schedule” of work, which is inherited from their parents.
The girl begins to grow rapidly (up to 8-10 cm per year). Body weight also increases (from 5 to 9 kg), but the girl does not gain weight. A good appetite keeps pace with active growth.
A number of changes occur in the girl’s body
Other changes are associated with this period: the girl notices that her mammary glands have enlarged. At the first stage, you can visually detect a slight protrusion of the isola. After this, the mammary gland takes on the appropriate shape.
During the first year, the shape of the mammary gland is conical. But as menstruation approaches, breasts become more rounded. After the development of the mammary gland begins, the girl begins to develop hair in the genital area and in the armpits.
The process of formation of the mammary gland, or scientifically “thelarche,” lasts several years and is divided into stages. The size and shape of the breasts are determined by the genetic predisposition of the girl. But there are factors influencing the development of girl’s breasts:
- girl's health level
- nutritional pattern
- heredity (the shape and size of the breasts mainly depends on the mother’s genes, the genetics of the father’s or mother’s relatives)
- constitutional features (petite girls cannot have large breasts, large girls have larger breasts)
- body weight (while gaining kilograms, a girl may notice that her breasts are increasing in size, and weight loss diets can negatively affect the normal formation of the mammary glands, since breast volume is directly related to the amount of fat deposits in the body)
- An active lifestyle and regular exercise strengthen the fat ligaments, which tightens the adjacent muscles. The breasts are visually enlarged, which improves their shape. However, it is impossible to increase breast size by doing exercises, since there are no muscles in the mammary gland itself
- level of hormones in the blood (hormonal levels can change at different periods of life. This process is influenced by puberty and the menstrual cycle). After taking hormonal drugs, breasts may begin to increase in size, but this effect is temporary. Stopping taking hormonal drugs will cause the breasts to return to their previous size and shape.
It is impossible to increase breast size only through physical exercise.
Poor health, lack of appetite, or, conversely, excess weight will contribute to the size and shape of the breast. Glandular tissue is not characterized by development, therefore, with excess weight, the breasts sag and lose their elasticity.
Ways that are dangerous to breast health
Sometimes, to enlarge breasts at the age of 12 at home, girls resort to crazy and very dangerous methods. Speaking about external methods of influencing the mammary glands, unfortunately, all of the possible methods are ineffective and dangerous to health! Various ointments, tinctures, iodine grids and the like are ineffective, such methods are a scam. Externally, you cannot influence the breasts in any way, because the mammary glands are protected by a thick layer of epidermis, which protects the penetration of any pathogenic substances.
When working on the mammary glands, first of all remember that the breast is a nutritional organ for your unborn child and has no other functions. Therefore, before smearing it with any creams, think more than once, because this may cause negative consequences in the future. Any massages and physical influences from the outside can greatly affect its development from a negative point of view. Therefore, enlarging breasts at 12 years old at home is dangerous to health.
Breast cancer is in first place among women's diseases! Therefore, be careful not to resort to extreme methods, such as intensive rubbing of cream, massage, wraps, and so on. The best physical activity is the development of the pectoral muscles. But any action cannot be elevated to an absolute. You must not overdo it, otherwise, instead of a beautiful round and appetizing breast, you may end up with two muscle bags.
How girls' breasts grow: pictures
During puberty, significant changes occur in a girl’s body; under the influence of hormones, the breasts enter the stage of active growth.
At this time, the girl may notice that her mammary glands are swollen. The maturation and growth of the mammary gland depend on the girl’s age and are divided into several active periods:
- 9-10 years – the phase of progression of mammary gland growth is caused, first of all, by the unexpressed flat shape of the gland, which is no different from the male one. Girls whose puberty begins early notice swelling of the nipples and redness of the skin around the areola
Puberty can occur very early, and this is not a deviation from the norm
- 10-12 years - the beginning of growth and formation of the mammary gland upon entering the phase of puberty (breast enlargement is accompanied by painful or unpleasant sensations, and due to stretching of the skin, itching and burning appears): the nipples take on an oval round shape, and the breasts become elastic and soft . Girls with a later period of puberty are characterized by thickening of the mammary glands, and changes in the shape of the breast do not occur
- the beginning of the first menstruation - pain is felt on the sides of the mammary glands, the nipples become larger, and their pigmentation increases. During this period, the girl’s hormonal background is formed, therefore the schedule for the onset of menstruation may be disrupted.
The mammary gland at this stage has a conical shape, which will gradually become round. The areola darkens, and the contour around the nipple may become covered with red spots. This is not a pathology, but a normal phenomenon, so there is no need to rush to the doctor
- 14-15 years – the phase of active growth of the mammary gland and the percentage increase in connective tissue. Reproductive age is approaching, and the girl may be bothered by discomfort and a feeling of compression in the mammary glands. This occurs due to the rapid growth of ducts in the chest. A girl's bust can increase literally overnight, and the pain is felt more and more intensely
- 14.5 – 15 years – peak growth of the mammary gland. Now the shape of the breast has finally formed: the girl’s mammary glands and areola are round, the nipple is not extended
When to start wearing a bra
Of course, every girl wants to feel like an adult as soon as possible, and use not only lipstick, but also wear underwear, especially since now the choice is huge. As a rule, girls begin to feel discomfort from the age of eight, this applies to their stay on the beach in only panties. They often refuse to swim altogether. In this case, a set of a top and panties or a one-piece children's swimsuit will help.
In everyday life, T-shirts are needed for girls starting from the age of 8, even if there is no hint of breasts yet. In the future, bras in the form of tops, a kind of bras without wires and excessively thin straps, will be an excellent option.
As soon as the girls' breasts develop to the first size, they need a regular, as they say, women's bra. You need to choose it with obligatory fitting in order to make the right choice and avoid such troubles as deformation of the papillae and problems with the mammary glands. Of course, underwear should be made from natural materials.
Until what age do girls develop breasts?
It should be remembered that each girl develops individually, therefore the phases of breast growth may occur earlier or later, which does not affect health and reproductive functions. A girl should accept her characteristics as a fact, not have complexes and not look at stereotypes, but enjoy every stage of growing up.
Breast growth phases may occur earlier or later
It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of how old breasts grow. One thing can only be stated: the mammary gland begins to grow in girls at the age of 9-10, and is finally formed only by the age of 20.
Heredity will help you navigate this issue: if the mother (grandmother, aunt) has a mammary gland formed by the age of 18, then the daughter’s growth phases will repeat in the same sequence.
A family survey will help determine the approximate timing, from which it will become clear what shape the mammary gland will be. Size may be affected by pregnancy and breastfeeding at the age of 18-20 years.
Other factors influencing the achievement of the final breast shape:
- nationality
- body structure
- girl's health
- location
This is interesting: women living in the East and South are characterized by more active growth rates and reaching reproductive age. Girls who lack exercise in their lives may notice that their breasts grow too slowly.
physical exercise contributes to the normal development of the mammary gland. The
normal development of the female breast is also influenced by good nutrition, which is the basis for the formation of the general background and processes associated with the growth of the mammary gland.
Contrary to popular belief, frequent consumption of legumes and cabbage will not help a thin girl gain a full bust.
Influence of genetic factor
For most girls, the start date for the growth of their mammary glands is determined more by a hereditary factor. In order to determine when active breast growth will begin, you need to find out from your closest relatives when this process began for them. As a rule, nature helps a girl to enlarge her breasts at the age of 12.
Let's determine what the mammary gland consists of. The breast consists of main components, such as glands, lymph nodes, and the basis is adipose tissue. Therefore, if a girl is underweight or overweight, this is the main factor in the lack of an active growth phase. It is necessary to normalize your diet, eat as much as your young, growing body needs. In the event of an eating disorder, the question of how to enlarge the breasts of a 12-year-old girl will not arise.
