 Having
different-sized breasts is perfectly normal. It's quite common for
girls to have different-sized breasts or nipples, especially as
they develop during puberty. Everyone's different, and no two women's
breasts will look exactly the same. In fact, asymmetry - where one
body part, like a foot or a hand, is a different size or shape from
its partner - is quite common in humans.
When girls begin puberty, usually between the ages of 8 and 13,
their breasts begin to develop starting with just a little swelling
under the nipple. This is known as breast budding. You may notice
that one of your breasts starts developing before the other or that
one is growing more quickly. Many times this difference in breast
size evens out once a girl is older, usually around age 20. But
it's also perfectly normal for women's breasts to remain different
sizes even when they're fully developed.
Some girls with different-sized breasts worry that there's something
medically wrong, but chances are, for a teen, there isn't. If you're
really worried about your breast size, talk to your doctor or gynecologist.
He or she should be able to reassure you that you don't have any
health problems. In fact, the good news about noticing your breasts
are different sizes is that it means you're aware of your breasts
- and being aware of your breasts can help you stay healthy! Learning
how your breasts normally look (and feel) can help you notice any
changes that might not be normal. Your doctor can teach you how
to do a breast self-exam that will help you become familiar with
your breasts so you can identify any changes.
Some girls worry about their different-sized breasts for cosmetic
reasons. Many girls with different-sized breasts or nipples just
accept that they are normal and don't do anything differently. But
other girls feel self-conscious. It's likely that no one else notices
your breasts look different, though. Other people usually can't
see the difference in the size of a girl's breasts - even if that
difference is a full cup size.
The fact is that exercises, supplements, or diets won't change
the size or shape of a girl's breasts, only plastic surgery can
do that. (And most doctors recommend that a girl wait until her
breasts have finished growing before getting plastic surgery.) Some
girls decide to wear especially supportive bras or special inserts
that make their breasts appear more equal in size. Talk to a nurse
or lingerie salesperson if you want some suggestions for evening
things out. It may also help to talk to your mom, older sister,
or an aunt or grandmother - they may have worried about having different-sized
breasts during their teen years, too.
Everyone develops differently, and girls aren't the only ones with
questions. A guy may wonder if his penis is developing normally,
too. We humans aren't as evenly proportioned as we appear at first
glance!
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