Breasts: They Come In All Shapes & Sizes / Question
Published: September 18, 2001
Dear TeenHealthFX,
I am 16 years and 3 months old right now. I got my period when I was 12 years 2 months old but I have not seen any breast development at all. My nipples seemed shriveld up and I am completely flat. I am worried that I will never develop breasts and breast augmentation surgery seems like the only option right now. Please help me.
Signed: No Breast Development At 16
Dear No Breast Development At 16,
Breast development normally begins about 1 year before your period begins. You should have seen the area around your nipples (areola) become darker and your nipples grow. Then your period normally begins and eventually your breasts will develop into the size that they will be sometime in the year or two after your period begins. However, not all women are the same size as you have probably already noticed. The size of a woman's breasts depends upon here genes, hormone levels, and sometimes, even her level of exercise (some athletes tend to have smaller breasts during training years).
It is unusual to be "completely flat", so TeenHealthFX recommends that you see a doctor about your breast growth. The doctor can determine if you are just the right size for you or if something else is going on. Your doctor can also talk to you about breast augmentation surgery and give you a few other choices as well. If you don't have a doctor and live in northern New Jersey, you can call the Adolescent/Young Adult Center for Health at 973.889.6350 or Girl's Street - A Young Women's Health Program at 908.522.2555.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
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