Breasts: top five facts

The beginning of breasts 

Breasts start growing during puberty. It can start when you’re as young as eight, but likewise, not much might happen until you’re thirteen. Breasts can keep on growing until you’re 21, and they can go on changing over your lifetime. Bodies develop at different speeds, so don’t worry if yours grow slower or faster than those of others. Often, they are uneven in size or shape. Around the age of 20, the difference sometimes evens out, although it’s not uncommon to have differently sized or shaped breasts after that age, either. In any case, it’s not a reason to worry.

What determines breast size? 

The shape and size of your breasts are determined by your genes, and to some extent, the shape is also influenced by the surrounding muscles. You may also notice your breasts get bigger or smaller if you put on or lose weight.The size of your breasts can depend on the time of the month, too: each month, hormones get your breasts ready for pregnancy. They get a bit larger and more sensitive. After your period they go back to their usual size and shape. Lastly, your breasts may also be affected by hormonal contraceptives like the pill.

Does breast size matter? 

Many girls and women worry about the size of their breasts , thinking they are too small or too big. Some are teased about it, too.In terms of sexual and biological functionality, size definitely does not matter. The size or shape of your breasts has nothing to do with their sensitivity: small breasts are just as sensitive as big ones. And it’s a cliché that all guys prefer big breasts, too: just as many get excited by more manageable sizes.If you really want to change the size of your breasts, bear in mind that there is absolutely no proof that any exercises, creams or sprays can make your breasts grow bigger.

The only possibility to really change the size of your breasts is plastic surgery. You can have your breasts enlarged artificially, and likewise, if your breasts are so large as to make you uncomfortable or even experience problems like backache, reductive surgery can be an option. But any surgery is always a big, not to mention expensive step and should be considered carefully.To know more about breast sizes and shapes, watch our animated video here!

All about nipples 

Just like breasts, nipples vary a lot, both in size and colour. They are the most sensitive area of the breasts. When a girl or woman is aroused, her nipples get harder and stand up (but this can also happen when she’s cold!). Almost always, some stray hairs grow in the nipple area – it’s OK to pluck these with tweezers.It’s also normal to have nipple discharge. Breasts can produce fluid in different amounts throughout a young girl’s and woman’s life. You should only be concerned if the fluid is red, pink or brown; comes out all the time (unless you’re pregnant); or appears only in one breast. If one of these is the case, contact your health care professional for more information.

Orgasmic breasts

Breasts are a really sensual area of the body and many women find their partner licking, sucking, biting or blowing on their nipples really turns them on. The reason for this is that the breasts share neural pathways with the vagina and other parts of the genitals that lead to a part of the brain involved in an orgasm. That’s why stimulating a woman’s nipples can be so pleasurable – it can have a similar effect in the body as touching her vagina or clitoris. It can be so arousing that it can even give some women an orgasm!