Breasts: They Come In All Shapes & Sizes / Question
Published: May 2, 2002
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am 18 and have had my period for two years. However, I have experienced no breast growth and am very worried. My mom was a late bloomer, but not nearly as late as me. Since I am still completely flat at 18, and have had my period for a while now, does this mean that I will continue to stay flat for the rest of my life?
Signed: Flat For The Rest OF My Life
Dear Flat For The Rest OF My Life,
TeenHealthFX would encourage you to speak with your doctor about this. Because you have described yourself as having no breast development, FX thinks you should get checked out to make sure you are developing normally.
In most cases, the size of a woman's breasts is completely uncontrollable and something only Mother Nature can predict. Normal breast growth starts just before your period and will continue for a short while after. The development happens in five stages that can be short lasting about 10 months, to a long drawn out process lasting close to 10 years! Because you are a late bloomer this process may be taking longer for you.
Sometimes a good way to tell how large your chest size will be is to look at your immediate relatives like your mom, sisters, grandmother or aunts. Often times this can be a good indication as to your development. It certainly is not a completely accurate picture. Every woman matures in her own time and has different levels of the hormone estrogen that is responsible for breast growth. If you have had things interrupt your development, like some athletes do, than you may not develop for some time yet.
There is the possibility that you may be a small-breasted woman. Again, FX recommends that you speak with your doctor who can evaluate you to make sure that your health is fine and hormone levels are correct.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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