If you have breasts, it can feel like they’re always changing just a little bit. It can be worrisome to feel or see something new, and a struggle to know why this happens. The good news is that most breast changes are a normal part of different phases of our life. Read on to learn what’s expected phase by phase.
Puberty
During puberty, breasts start as small buds under the skin. These can be lumpy at first, and often bigger on one side. They can also feel tender as they grow. People notice a lot of breast growth in puberty, but growth can also happen with weight gain, hormone use, and during pregnancy or lactation (breastfeeding).
Puberty is also a stage when people may learn they have a difference that’s “normal” for them. This includes common differences like inverted nipples, hair growth on the areola, or a noticeable size discrepancy between the left and right breasts. Unrealistic expectations in social media, movies, and more can make younger folks feel very uncomfortable with these differences. But these are totally healthy, and can also change with time.
Menstrual cycles
During the phase of life when you have a menstrual cycle, breast changes often appear and disappear at similar times of each cycle. These can include lumps, soreness, and swelling. Although these symptoms usually peak just before a period starts, some people notice increased breast size or sensitivity during ovulation. The impact hormones have on each of our bodies varies, so your cyclical changes may be unique!
Although some lumps can be normal, especially if they show up and shrink around the same time each cycle, it’s always best to have new lumps and bumps checked out by your healthcare provider.
Hormones (even from medications) can cause breast changes. If you use hormones to prevent pregnancy or decrease difficult period symptoms, these can cause breast changes – mostly commonly, in the first few months when you start them or when you take a pause.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Speaking of hormones, pregnancy and breastfeeding cause their own wide range of hormonal breast changes. Often, the first symptom people have in pregnancy is an increase in breast size, soreness, or sensitivity. They may even notice their nipples look different – often larger or darker in color.
Throughout pregnancy, changes in hormones can cause breast tenderness, visible skin changes like veins or darker areolas, and even nipple leakage. This is because your body is preparing to breastfeed your baby from early on, even if you have different plans for feeding your baby. Much like other phases of life, breasts may be different sizes or grow a few hairs during pregnancy!
After you give birth, your breasts will experience many changes related to breastfeeding. There can be many lumps, sore spots, warm areas and leaking. For more on what’s normal while breastfeeding, check out this article.
Perimenopause and menopause
As the body approaches menopause, the menstrual cycles become more irregular and eventually stop. At this stage, breasts undergo some new changes in look and feel, too. Dense glandular tissue usually decreases, while fat increases. Your breasts may feel less firm and visually appear lower, also called sagging. Some folks may also feel more breast cysts or have more calcifications. Regular screening and additional imaging can help make sure these changes are benign (not cancerous).
Breast care
If at any stage you’re feeling or seeing changes that have you concerned, it’s always important to have those changes evaluated by your healthcare provider. Many breast changes are common and benign, but some need to be imaged to know for sure! You deserve peace of mind to know that what you’re experiencing is normal.
Through every phase and change, Ovia is here to help.
Reviewed by the Ovia Health Clinical Team
Sources
- Adeseye Adekeye, Kirsten C. Lung, Kristin L. Brill, Pediatric and Adolescent Breast Conditions: A Review, Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology, Volume 36, Issue 1, 2023, Pages 5-13
- Rebecca Sivarajah, Janelle Welkie, Julie Mack, Rachel S Casas, Melody Paulishak, Alison L Chetlen, A Review of Breast Pain: Causes, Imaging Recommendations, and Treatment, Journal of Breast Imaging, Volume 2, Issue 2, March/April 2020, Pages 101–111, https://doi.org/10.1093/jbi/wbz082
- Boyd, N et al. A Longitudinal Study of the Effects of Menopause on Mammographic Features. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev (2002) 11 (10): 1048–1053.
- Alex A, Bhandary E, McGuire KP. Anatomy and Physiology of the Breast during Pregnancy and Lactation. Adv Exp Med Biol. 2020;1252:3-7. doi: 10.1007/978-3-030-41596-9_1. PMID: 32816256.
