Reviewed by Prof. Fuat Juksel.
As women get older, they become curious about their bodies, and sometimes they may not be fully aware of the small changes they are about to go through. It is a fact that fluctuating levels of hormones in a woman's body affect her breast development throughout her life. A common question women ask before considering breast surgery is:At what age do girls' breasts stop growing??
Of course, it is important to be aware of the different changes that your breasts undergo so that you can have surgery when you have reached full maturity. The answer to this question is not easy as there are many factors that affect breast development in women. So, let's learn more about it.
At what age do girls' breasts stop growing?
Before we find out at what age girls' breasts stop growing, let's learn a little about when they first start growing.
The process of breast development in women begins 2 to 2.5 years before you get your first period. The average age at which breast development occurs in most girls is between 8 and 13 years of age. It is normal for breast development to continue.until the 18th. It can also last up to twenty years.
At what age girls' breasts stop growing can vary. As mentioned above, breast tissue is also affected by the hormonal changes it undergoes throughout life.
Growth retardation can occur for a variety of reasons. Many parents use growth charts to monitor their children's development. However, growth patterns are largely determined by genetics. Keep in mind that if a woman gets her period at an earlier age than someone else, it does not mean that she will grow breasts. Every woman's body is different and will grow differently.
How do breasts develop during puberty?
Breast development is often the first sign of puberty in girls. It's part of the growth spurt. It begins with the release of hormones from the ovaries. Since the breasts are mostly fat, these hormones (estrogens) direct the accumulation of fat in the breasts. Keep in mind here that girls need a certain amount of fat on their bodies during puberty. This process can be delayed in girls who exercise more.
First, you'll notice the breast buds just below the nipple and the areola (the dark skin around the nipple). These look like lumps and continue to grow as the milk-producing glands (mammary glands) and fatty tissue in the breast increase.
These breast buds may appear after a girl's first period or 2 to 3 years after her first period. It is normal for a breast bud to appear first in one of the breasts; it may appear on the other after about 6 months. Still, it's best to see a doctor when your child starts the process. The onset of breast development does not predict at what age girls' breasts will stop growing.
Normal changes during breast development
As the breasts begin to grow, they may feel tender. It can also be itchy as the skin over the breasts is stretched. If it grows too fast, it can also leave streaks. As the breasts grow, you will notice that the nipples protrude and the color of the areola may also change; it's getting darker. The color of the areola can also change as the body goes through various changes.
As your breasts grow, it is normal for one breast to grow faster than the other. Normally both breasts reach the same shape and size over time. However, in some cases, women are left with asymmetrical breasts. These are perfectly normal, but can cause cosmetic problems.
Other changes that the breasts go through
The answer to the question at what age do girls' breasts stop growing may be 18 or early twenties, but the breasts continue to undergo different changes.
What changes do the breasts experience during menstruation?
During puberty, the process of breast enlargement continues. And while the woman menstruates, her breasts mature. The mammary glands, milk ducts, and lobules continue to develop.
Estrogen hormone levels rise first, followed by progesterone levels. During this time, the milk ducts and glands expand. This causes bloating each cycle. You may also feel discomfort and pain. These changes are only temporary. Your breasts will return to their previous shape and size at the end of the cycle.
What changes do the breasts experience during pregnancy?
In addition to the enlargement of the mammary glands and milk ducts, the breasts are prepared for lactation. Your body also starts making milk in the second trimester. Apart from that, you will also notice that the nipple and areola increase in size. The areola may take on a darker shade.
When the skin is stretched, it can become dry and itchy. You will notice a significant increase in the size of the breasts. After nursing, the breasts may return to their previous shape and size. They can also end up with a slack, which can be permanent. If you don't have children, the glands start to shrink, which can make your breasts smaller.
The answer to the question at what age girls' breasts stop growing during pregnancy depends on the number of children they have or plan to have (twins produce more milk) and their unique body. Growth and reduction occur here due to milk production. These changes are usually temporary.
What changes do the breasts experience during menopause?
This is usually the time when most women notice that their breasts are sagging. This happens due to a decrease in estrogen levels. This leads to a reduction in collagen production, which causes the skin to lose its elasticity.
Milk ducts and mammary glands also shrink, causing the breasts to lose their shape. As the pectoral muscles change, the breasts begin to sag.
So if you're wondering at what age girls' breasts stop growing, the standard answer is between the ages of 13 and 18. However, the breasts continue to change as hormone levels change.
What determines the size of the breasts?
There are a few factors that affect the size of a woman's breasts. These can determine at what age girls' breasts stop growing.
Genetic
To get an idea of ​​how big your breasts are getting, you only need to look at your family history. This is because genetics greatly affects size.
weight
This is another factor that determines the size of the breasts. Since the breasts contain mostly fat, gaining weight would mean breast enlargement. However, trying to gain weight to get bigger breasts is not healthy.
What causes delays in proper breast development?
An underlying medical condition can slow a child's growth spurt. These include a hormonal imbalance caused by the thyroid or pituitary gland. Apart from that, malnutrition can also delay puberty. It is important for a girl to eat a balanced diet so that her breasts can grow normally.
Is it possible to change the shape of my breasts?
Your genetics and weight determine the size and shape of your breasts. They are the ones who determine at what age girls' breasts stop growing. You cannot try to change it with other products or devices such as the following:
Creams, oils, pills and dietary supplements
You can read about various "natural" supplements and pills that can enhance breast size. It most likely won't work. Any treatment effects can only be temporary. Similarly, you can find oils and creams on the market that claim to increase breast size in one way or another. These don't quite work either. They may also not be safe to use.
exercise
It is also not true that exercise can enlarge the breasts. In fact, it has the opposite effect. When you burn fat on your body, it can be anywhere, including your breasts. So you could notice a reduction in the size of your breasts.
cosmetic surgery
The only way to really change the shape of your breasts is through breast surgery. There are various cosmetic concerns that a woman may have with her breasts at various times in her life.
You may want surgery to correct the asymmetry. Or you want to enlarge or reduce your breasts. Lots of women get it too.breast liftdeal with sagging. In these surgeries, the surgeon adjusts the skin, tissue, and fat of the breasts to create the desired shape. If his main concern is the size of her breasts, he can getbreast implantsfor it or benefit from a breast reduction.
What is the ideal age to have breast surgery?
That depends on what age girls' breasts stop growing. During their teenage years, some girls feel self-conscious about their breasts for various reasons. However, at this point, your breasts may still be growing and changing. Therefore, they cannot later undergo breast surgery. They usually have to wait until they are at least 18 or in their early 20s to have breast surgery.
bottom line
To answer the question: at what age do girls' breasts stop growing? It can be between 13 and 18 years old. However, the breasts change before puberty, during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause. Several factors affect the overall shape and size of the breasts. Remember that there is no way to change them other than with cosmetic surgery.
FAQs
How do you know when your breasts are fully grown? ›
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.
At what age do breasts get smaller? ›In your 40s, menopause leads to more breast changes as your ovaries start to produce less estrogen. At this point, your breasts go through what's called involution, which is when the breast tissue is replaced by fat, which is softer, so they don't feel as firm, says Jacobs.
Does breast continue to grow after 20? ›Answer: Breast Growth
Typically, the breasts finish growing by the age of 23. However, factors such as weight fluctuations, pregnancy, age and hormones can change the size of a woman's breast over time.
For most people, their breasts will stop growing by the age of 18, though many breasts tend to stop developing around two years after their first period, as puberty slows down. However, the full process can take up to four or five years and fluctuations in weight can also play a part in breast growth.
Do breasts grow when touched? ›No, it's not true. Touching or massaging breasts does not make them grow. There's a lot of wrong information about breast development out there. Some of the things you may hear are outright cons — like special creams or pills that make breasts bigger.
Why do some women's breasts don't grow? ›Women who have breast hyperplasia have some breast tissue that does not mature, so the breasts hardly develop at all. There are different causes but one specific condition that results in very little breast development is Poland's syndrome.