TeenHealthFX - Answers - Asian Breast Concern

Breast Size, Shape & Concerns / Question
Published: January 17, 2001

Dear TeenHealthFX,

Hi, I am 15 years old and I'm Asian. I was wondering if Asian women have really slow breast growth rates-because I had my period when I was 13 (almost 16 right now) and I'm a 32AA! I hate it so much! Is something wrong with me? I would look at the other women in my family tree but I can't! I'm adopted-Please help!

Signed: Asian Breast Concern

Dear Asian Breast Concern,

Breast development can be a long, hard and tedious process that is different for every woman. It is impossible to tell what size your breast will be until they have finished growing. At 16 your breasts probably have not completed the 5-stage development process, which is:

Puberty begins within the body
First visible signs of nipple (enlarges, becomes dark and tender)
Fat deposits start to fill out around the nipple
Continued growth, period begins
Breast growth complete

Depending upon when you started your period is a good judge of where your body is in this development process. Typically, puberty takes place over about a 5-year period. However, it can sometimes take up to 10 years for completion; so do not give up hope just yet!

The size of our breasts is something completely out of our control. Some girls end up with large breasts, while others are left with smaller breasts. It is a characteristic that makes us all different and special as individuals. Often small breast size stems from the genes you received from your parents (something that will be hard for you to figure out). Other times, weight loss and age can steal some mass, making the breasts look collapsed. If you have not seen any signs of puberty in your breasts such as growth or tenderness it is a good idea to consult a doctor.

Many teen girls worry about breast size, usually because they feel their breasts are too small. They wonder if they're normal, and if they'll grow more. Development is a process lasting some years. Factors such as heredity, and weight can also influence breast size.

Keep in mind that no devices or exercise can increase breast size. Some exercises only affect the pectoral muscles underneath the breast -- not the breast itself. And mechanical devices, lotions or creams are totally useless.

Padded bras may offer temporary comfort, but long term contentment can only come from you accepting and learning to love the uniqueness of your own body, whether your breasts are small, large, or somewhere in between.

Some women are unhappy with the small size of their breasts. You may believe that yours don't balance out your healthy hips and that they make your body look pear-shaped. You may feel self-conscious in a bathing suit and find that dresses don't fit properly. Some worry that one breast is too small compared to its larger mate. Wearing tight shirts is embarrassing. Perhaps your breasts are perfectly proportional, but you consider small breasts less womanly and alluring than a fuller pair.

Whatever happens, try to accept and be happy with what you have been given because it makes you who you are, a beautiful individual.

Signed: TeenHealthFX