Just like there’s a lot women don’t know about how their vaginas change with age, so much happens to your breasts as you get older. The changes range from their appearance to how they feel, so its smart to stay in the know with what’s going on. Ready to get familiar with your chest? Read on to learn what you can expect as the years go by.
In Your 20s
Tons of Changes
Your breast size can fluctuate for various reasons in this decade, according to Lisa Jacobs, M.D., associate professor of surgery at Johns Hopkins Medicine. First, you may be dropping the freshman 15, your metabolism may slow, or perhaps you’re otherwise settling into your adult weight. The breasts will change in size as you gain or lose weight, says Jacobs. Beyond that, there’s pregnancy. In their 20s, many women get pregnant, so there’s the breast enlargement that happens with that weight gain and preparing for lactation, she says. After the lactational changes, your breasts may seem either smaller or larger than they were before pregnancy. Pregnancy can also make your areolas darker and your nipples larger, though those both return to their pre-pregnancy states after delivery.
Common Lumps and Bumps
Fibrocystic change, which is a very common condition characterized by benign lumps in one or both breasts, often emerges when women are in their 20s, says Jacobs. Women at this age might be dealing with changes in their menstrual cycles, which means differences in hormones like estrogen. That can cause breasts to get swollen lumps, which are often totally normal. If you feel a lump that hurts but also feels a lot like another area in the same breast or the other one, that’s a sign its probably fibrocystic change rather than something worrisome (lumps associated with cancer usually aren’t painful, according to Jacobs). Still, be sure to check with your doctor if you notice any major changes.
In Your 30s ……….
See full story on womenshealthmag.com
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