For The Ladies:Some Facts About The Breast.
you look around you'll see a huge variety – for
example big, round, flat, pointed, small, pear-
shaped and sloping.
Breast size and shape comes from the genes you get
from your parents. Everyone's breasts are different
so you shouldn't expect yours to look the same as
anyone else's – everyone is unique and develops in
different ways.
What can you do?
There's nothing we can do to make our breasts get
bigger or smaller – or change their shape. While
they are developing, and throughout your life, your
breasts will change.
Nipples: different shapes, sizes
and colours
Nipples come in many shapes, sizes and colours.
They can point up or down, be dark or pale, big or
small – and can look different on each breast.
Some people have nipples that get hard and stick
out (become erect) when they're cold or when
they're rubbed. Others have nipples that stick out
all the time.
What can you do?
There's nothing we can do to change the size,
shape or colour of our nipples – they are the way
they are.
If you're uncomfortable or feel embarrassed about
having erect nipples, choose a bra that's padded at
the front so they don't show through or try using
skin-coloured stick-on nipple covers.
Uneven breasts
It's common and normal for one breast to be larger
than the other. Sometimes one breast grows more
quickly than the other. They will generally even up
over time. It's not unusual to have breasts that are
slightly different sizes, or for one to sit higher or
lower than the other.
What can you do?
There's nothing much you can do about uneven
breasts. Most differences will even out as you get
older. A good bra will help make any differences
between breasts less obvious.
Inverted nipples
Some people have nipples that are inverted (turned
inwards). This is normal. Inverted nipples can be
like that from birth or happen as the breasts are
developing. If you've always had inverted nipples,
this is normal for you and nothing to worry about.
Sometimes inverted nipples will stick out if they are
rubbed, and they may eventually stick out once the
breasts have finished growing – or after childbirth
and breastfeeding.
What can you do?
Having inverted nipples is normal. If you're
bothered by them you could try a niplette – a
thimble-like device worn for a while that can help
make the nipples stick out.
Hair around the nipples
Some people have a few hairs growing around their
nipple and areola (the darker area of skin around
the nipple). This is normal and nothing to worry
about.
What can you do?
If you're bothered by hair around the nipple you
can cut it off close with small scissors. This is better
than plucking or shaving the hair, which can cause
infection.
Stretch marks
Girls who have breasts that develop and grow very
quickly may get stretch marks. These are red spoke-
like lines that appear on the skin. Lots of girls get
them, and they can also develop during pregnancy.
During puberty, stretch marks on the breasts and
the rest of the body are very common and normal.
Over time they usually fade to match the colour of
the rest of the skin.
What can you do?
Nothing much can be done to stop stretch marks
appearing, especially if your body develops quickly.
Keeping the skin well moisturised may help to keep
the skin supple and stop them appearing. The red
marks will fade over time to match the natural
colour of the skin, but there are no creams that will
make them go away.
Tenderness and pain
You may have tingling or aching feelings in your
chest when your breasts are developing. After your
periods begin, the changing hormones may make
the breasts feel tender or painful a week or so
before your period starts. This does not happen to
everyone.
What can you do?
If you feel tenderness or pain in your breasts that
doesn't go away, talk to someone about it. Your
mum, school nurse or GP (local doctor) will be able
to give you pain relief to help you feel more
comfortable.
Smooth or lumpy breasts
Breasts may feel either smooth or lumpy – and
both are normal. Your breasts may feel lumpy or
just different around the time of your period, but
they will often settle down again when it's over.
While breasts are growing, lumps may develop and
these are nearly always because of normal changes
in the breast tissue. Very occasionally lumps are a
sign of a benign (not cancer) breast condition,
which may need to be checked out by a doctor.
The most common benign lump as the breasts are
developing is known as a fibroadenoma. This is a
solid lump of tissue that feels smooth and moves
easily under the skin. They can feel tender or even
painful but are more often painless. They are very
common and don't usually need any treatment
once they have been checked out by a doctor.
What can you do?
If you find a lump in your breast that you are
worried about, go and visit your GP. Although it's
very unlikely that there's anything wrong, the
doctor will be able to check it out and should put
your mind at rest. You can ask to see a female
doctor.
Extra breasts and nipples
A small number of people have an extra breast or
pair of breasts. These are known as accessory
breasts and are usually in the lower armpit. They
are often present from birth, though they
sometimes appear during puberty. Also, some
people have an extra nipple or nipples. These are
usually below the breast or above the belly button.
Accessory breasts and extra nipples can cause
anxiety and embarrassment, but they are not a
health concern and don't need to be removed.
What can you do?
If you have accessory breasts and/or extra nipples
you may feel embarrassed and worried about them.
When you get your period you may notice normal
changes such as a heavy feeling and tenderness in
the accessory breast as well as in your natural
breasts. If this is upsetting or uncomfortable, talk to
your GP or practice nurse.
Nipple discharge
Once your breasts have fully developed (usually
around the age of 17) you might get some
spontaneous discharge from the nipple. This is
normal and might happen after exercise, or after
massaging the breast or nipple.
Nipple discharge is generally white in colour, but
can range from yellow, to green, to a brown/red
colour. It generally appears in small amounts and
is nothing to worry about.
What can you do?
See your doctor or practice nurse if you have
concerns about nipple discharge.
Excessive growth
A few girls experience excessive growth of breast
tissue during development so their breasts grow
large and out of proportion to the rest of their
body. This is known as breast hypertrophy. It's not
known what causes it, though it may be because of
increased sensitivity to hormones.
Girls with breast hypertrophy often feel
embarrassed and it can cause physical symptoms
such as backache.
What can you do?
Dieting and losing weight won't help reduce the
size of the breasts if you have breast hypertrophy.
Surgery is the only option to reduce the size of the
breasts. If you have any concerns, talk to your GP.
Know and love your breasts
It's sensible to get to know and love your breasts
before, during and after they develop. If you know
how your breasts and body normally look and feel,
you'll know when something changes. So if you
usually get lumpy breasts before your period, this is
nothing to worry about – it is normal for you.
If you have any more facts that isnt written here,please drop them so others reading this may know them.Thanks and waiting for your comments.
Xubi Xhots
Comments
Post a Comment