Patient's question:
My girlfriend is 20 years old, but she has lumps in both of her breasts. They are not painful when gently pinched and can be moved. What could be the problem? Is this normal for every young woman?Doctor's answer:
Hello;This is normal. However, avoid squeezing it frequently. Especially during ovulation. This is a common occurrence for every girl.
Breast development varies in timing. Generally, even after the end of early childhood, under the stimulation of a small amount of estrogen, the breast duct cells proliferate, causing the breasts to slightly protrude. As one enters the mid-pubertal stage, the ovaries begin to function physiologically, with one follicle developing and ovulating each month, secreting hormones and progesterone. Under the synergistic effect of estrogen, progesterone, pituitary prolactin, and adrenal cortical hormones, breast development occurs, fat accumulates in the breast tissue, and the breasts gradually become fuller. The nipples enlarge and protrude, and the areola around the nipple becomes pigmented. However, breast size is still influenced by nutritional status, genetics, and body shape. The breast tissue is primarily composed of fat, so slim individuals tend to have smaller, flatter breasts, while shorter, heavier individuals tend to have larger, more prominent breasts.
Breast development is the most significant secondary sexual characteristic of women, reflecting their maturity. However, most teenage girls are not accustomed to it and feel shy about displaying their healthy beauty. As a result, they often avoid or hesitate to stand upright, preferring to slouch or wear tight clothing. Over time, this can lead to poor posture and, when wearing tight clothing, can hinder breast development, potentially causing inverted nipples. To avoid these issues, once the breasts have developed to a certain extent (around the age of 16) and have largely taken their final shape, it is advisable to wear a bra to support them. This prevents them from sagging under their own weight, which could impair blood circulation and hinder further growth.