Woman holding up pomegranats in front of her torso, representing breasts
(C) Love Matters | Rita Lino

Breasts

Breasts come in all shapes and sizes. Nipples also vary a lot, both in size and colour.

Breasts are often uneven in size or shape, especially during puberty. Around the age of 20, the difference usually begins to even out.

Breasts are mainly made up of the glands that produce milk. They are joined to the nipple by tubes. The glands are surrounded by fatty tissue.

Your breasts get slightly larger and more sensitive for a few days every month; this happens because hormones are preparing your body for pregnancy. After your period, they go back to their usual size and shape.

Breast sizes

Some women feel unhappy about their breast size. They wish they were bigger or smaller or firmer. The size or shape of your breasts has nothing to do with their sensitivity: small breasts are just as sensitive as big ones. Your breasts – their shape and size – are determined by your genes. The shape is also influenced by the surrounding muscles.

You may 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, and may also be affected by hormonal contraceptives.

breasts varieties types
© Love Matters

FAQs: breasts

Can I make my breasts bigger?

There is no proof that any exercises can make your breasts grow bigger, and certainly no proof that creams or sprays can. The only possibility is plastic surgery – you can have your breasts enlarged artificially.

Is it normal to have hair growing on my breasts?

Yes. Almost all women have some hair on their breasts, sometimes a very light, fine fuzz, and also stray hairs near the nipples or between the breasts.

If you want to get rid of the hair, plucking is the best option for a few stray hairs. Dip your tweezers in some rubbing alcohol to disinfect them and pluck each hair. You can wipe your skin with rubbing alcohol to prevent infection and smooth on some moisturising lotion. Shaving can cause ingrown hairs.

If you have lots of hair you can try to wax the area, but it’s better to use depilatory cream. Waxing may burn your skin, and you may develop ingrowing hairs unless you exfoliate.

My breasts are sore – why?

When breasts begin to develop during puberty they sometimes feel a bit sore. They can also feel sore and swollen just before your period.

Is it normal to have nipple discharge?

Yes. Breasts can produce fluid in different amounts throughout a young girl’s and woman’s life.

You should be concerned if the fluid:

  • is red, pink, or brown in colour,
  • comes out all the time (unless you’re pregnant), or
  • appears only in one breast.

If this is the case, contact your health care professional for more information.

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Recent Comments (111)

    1. Thanks for the leacture.
      Thanks for the leacture.

      1. You are welcome Rophina.

        You are welcome Rophina.

      2. That is good.but when girl…
        That is good.but when girl is up to 19years and she has a little small Breasts what is roung with her.

        1. Hey Zevar, there is nothing…

          Hey Zevar, there is nothing wrong with her. The size and shape of ones breast is determined by their genes. 

        1. You are most welcome Shaz…

          You are most welcome Shaz. Please feel free to go through more of our content and let us know what you think and if you have any questions, do not hesitate to reach out! Have a wonderful week ahead and stay safe!

    2. Your welcomed Namiiro
      Your welcomed Namiiro

  1. How can l firm my breasts…
    How can l firm my breasts after breast feeding?

    1. (No subject)
      Hey Phiona,

      You can begin by checking what you are eating and reducing the intake of fats and excising. Use a well fitting bra to support your breast. Lastly if you have gained weight after delivery work on shading off some of the weight gradually. Talk to a nutritionist who will further advice including what possible exercises you can do.

  2. My son 1yr old+ refuses to…
    My son 1yr old+ refuses to breastfeed at all and the milk is steal coming out is it risky to me?

    1. Hey Vero,…
      Hey Vero,

      You may need to speak to medical provider, perhaps a Pediatrician for comprehensive advice.

  3. One of my breast is small
    One of my breast is small

    1. Hi Joane, This is common in…
      Hi Joane, This is common in most women and there really nothing to worry about.

  4. After I stopped…
    After I stopped breastfeeding,my breasts lost shape and became sagging.is there a way I can firm them?

    1. Hi Stacy, This is expected…
      Hi Stacy, This is expected after child birth and breastfeeding. You can however begin by getting the right fit of bras and then consider regular exercises to firm your entire body.

  5. Hi does the discharge come…
    Hi does the discharge come by itself or myb evn through touch then wat is the concern wen it only discharges through one breast

    1. Hi Edith, It could be by…
      Hi Edith, It could be by either, before or after a touch. Remember the following should be a concer;-
      Whether the discharge is red, pink, or brown in colour
      Where it comes out all the time (unless you’re pregnant)
      Appears only in one breast
      So yes if it just one breast you should be concerned and you need to have that checked.

  6. Hiw can I make my breasts…
    Hiw can I make my breasts small and notthrough surgery because they are big and I haven’t given birth yet

    1. Hey Racy, First your breasts…
      Hey Racy, First your breasts inter of their shape and size are determined by your genes. The shape is also influenced by the surrounding muscles. The other reason that will influence your breast size is weight gain and weight loss. You may want to start by checking whether the size has been caused by weight gain and then take steps to loose some of that weight. If this is genetic, there maybe little you can do to alter the size without surgery.

  7. Im 22 bt mu stll look like a…
    Im 22 bt mu stll look like a 18, id there any problem with that

    1. Hey Jyiane,…
      Hey Jyiane,

      What makes you feel you look like you are still 18 years?

  8. Hy am virgie nd my breasts …
    Hy am virgie nd my breasts are getting bigger yet am a virgin is their any problem with it.??

  9. How will i reduce my breast
    How will i reduce my breast

  10. What will I do guys coz my…
    What will I do guys coz my breast are to small and am already 19 yrs

  11. Hi, Your breasts – their…
    Hi, Your breasts – their shape and size – are determined by your genes and this reason there maybe little you can do to reduce their size without surgery. Exercising and loosing some weight including body fat may help loose some fat around the breast and hence reduce their size. One can also consider healthy eating to aid in this.

  12. Hey Shania, your breast size…
    Hey Shania, your breast size is a matter of genes. The only way to increase your breast size is surgery. See the article above.

  13. Hi experts…
    Hi experts.
    I’ve a problem with my breasts. Having experiencing imbalances in my breasts they’ve gone to the extent of aching extremely at the nipple points leading to discomfort.
    Please advise.

    1. Hi Anne, if the pain is…
      Hi Anne, if the pain is unrelated to you menstrual period which means it happens almost all the time then it’s important to see a doctor for a check up and treatment.

  14. does massage make breasts big
    does massage make breasts big

    1. Hi Patience, your breasts,…

      Hi Patience, your breasts, their shape and size, are determined by your genes and not massaging or caressing.

  15. Is there something wrong…
    Is there something wrong with my breast because two of my kids stopped breast feeding at seven month.

    1. Hi Sheaffer, some babies…
      Hi Sheaffer, some babies will wean off themselves off breast milk after the introduction of of other meals. Did you speak to your health provider? It maybe help to do this so they can help identify the reasons that might be causing this. It is probably not your breast unless you have observed changes on your part.

  16. Is it true that when your…
    Is it true that when your lover touches your breasts they grow bigger?

    1. Hey Kay, your breasts, their…
      Hey Kay, your breasts, their shape and size are determined by your genes and not whether whether your partner touches them. The shape is also influenced by the surrounding muscles. Have a look at the article above for more details.

  17. I would lyk my breasts to…
    I would lyk my breasts to atleast increase in size cz dey r too small en am already 19 wat shud i do

    1. Hey Shifla, your breasts –…
      Hey Shifla, your breasts – their shape and size – are determined by your genes. Their shape is also influenced by the surrounding muscles. You may notice your breasts get bigger or smaller if you put on or lose weight. Being largely an issue to do with your genes, there is little you can do to increase your breast size other than plastic surgery. Have a look at the following article;- https://lovematters.co.ke/our-bodies/female-body/breasts

  18. I want bgger breast please…
    I want bgger breast please help.

    1. Hey, your breasts – their…

      Hey, your breasts – their shape and size – are determined by your genes. The shape is also influenced by the surrounding muscles. The only way you can get you breast to be bigger is by having plastic surgery. Check out the article above for additional information. 

    2. Can we exchange problems I…
      Can we exchange problems I want smaller breast ??

      1. Hey, if this were possible…

        Hey, if this were possible you would and everyone would have been happy. Breasts shape and size are determined by your genes. The shape is also influenced by the surrounding muscles. You may notice also, that your breasts get bigger or smaller when you put on or lose weight.  Have a look at this article;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/breasts

  19. What can I use to make my…
    What can I use to make my breast firmer

    1. Hi Remmie, there is nothing…

      Hi Remmie, there is nothing you can use to make your breast firmer. What reason makes you feel you need to have them firmer?

  20. I have really big breast…
    I have really big breast that posture has even changed what can I do, is there medicine I can take?

    1. Hey Lilly, First your…

      Hey Lilly, First your breasts, which includes their shape and size, are determined by your genes. The shape is also influenced by the surrounding muscles. One may notice also, that their breasts get bigger or smaller when they put on or lose weight. A good place to start is by trying to shed some weight if the size of your breast has been affected by weight gain. If this is however genetic there maybe little you can do. Lastly, getting the right fit of bra size may also help. Have a look at this article;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/breasts

  21. i feel a severe itching from…
    i feel a severe itching from when touched by my partner how can i overcome this problem?

    1. Hi Xherilfo, where exactly…

      Hi Xherilfo, where exactly does the itching take place? 

  22. How can I make my breast…
    How can I make my breast bigger?

    1. Hi, your breasts which…

      Hi, your breasts which includes their shape and size are determined by your genes. The shape is also influenced by the surrounding muscles. You may notice your breasts get bigger or smaller if you put on or lose weight. There is no proof that any exercises can make your breasts grow bigger, and certainly no proof that creams or sprays can. The only possibility is plastic surgery you can have your breasts enlarged artificially.

  23. Which breast firming cream…
    Which breast firming cream is effective? Thank you.

    1. Hey Mary, There is no proof…

      Hey Mary, There is no proof that any exercises can make your breasts firmer, and certainly no proof that creams or sprays can achieve this as well.

  24. My breast s very very small…
    My breast s very very small even sometimes I look like I don’t have ad yet have no child help

  25. Pls how can I reduce my…
    Pls how can I reduce my breast

    1. Hi Jummy, the size and even…

      Hi Jummy, the size and even shape of your breast is a matter of your genes. The size of your breast can also change with weight gain or weight loss. In some cases, a breast reduction surgery maybe necessary. 

  26. I want to reduce my boobs…
    I want to reduce my boobs size naturally how should I go about it?

    1. Hi Hellen, the size and…

      Hi Hellen, the size and shape of your breast is a matter of your genes. The size of your breast can also change with weight gain or weight loss. Reducing you breast the natural way may include working on your body weight especially if your weight contributes to their size.

  27. my breast is coming down and…
    my breast is coming down and I don’t like my breast coming down ,what can I do to make my breast stand

  28. My breast are very big and I…
    My breast are very big and I have never had a child why?

    1. Hey, the shape and size of…

      Hey, the shape and size of your breast are determined by your genes. The shape is also influenced by the surrounding muscles.

  29. Is it normal to have nipple…
    Is it normal to have nipple discharge when you are pregnant?

    1. Hey Grace, Yes. Breasts can…

      Hey Grace, Yes. Breasts can produce fluid in different amounts throughout a young girl’s and woman’s life. You should be concerned if the fluid:

      • Is red, pink, or brown in colour
      • Comes out all the time (unless you’re pregnant)
      • Appears only in one breast

      If this is the case, contact your health care professional for more information. Check out this article;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/breasts

  30. Does touching a girl’s…
    Does touching a girl’s breast (kudara) make them grow bigger?

    1. Hey Kelly, No, it’s not true…

      Hey Kelly, No, it’s not true. Touching or massaging breasts does not make them grow. The shape and size of breasts are determined by a person’s genes.

  31. Do bigger breast make a…
    Do bigger breast make a woman more attractive?

    1. Hey Abbey, it depends on the…

      Hey Abbey, it depends on the person that’s being attracted. People will be attracted by different physical features that may include bigger breast. This is however not what every man wants. People will be attracted to a person who is confident and feels good about themselves especially because there may not be so much one can do about their physical features. Check out the following article;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/breasts-the-bigger-the-better 

  32. She does not like sex we…
    She does not like sex we have dating for more than one year what can I do to make her like it?

    1. Hey Sospeter, have you…

      Hey Sospeter, have you talked about why she doesn’t like sex? A good place to start is to talk about why she doesn’t like it so you can find a solution together. Sometimes you may find that a person just doesn’t like how they are having sex and if that changes they may end up liking it. Get to know from her what she likes and share with her as well what you like, this will help make the experience better for both of you. Check out the following article;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/making-love/ways-to-make-love/talking-about-sex

  33. After I gave birth and…
    After I gave birth and breastfed my child my breast became saggy and deflated. What exercises can I do to firm them abit?

    1. Hey Molly, these changes are…

      Hey Molly, these changes are expected particularly after child birth and breast feeding. You could start by wearing and well fitting bra. Exercise may help and is also important toward maintaining a healthy body weight. Exercise should be couple with eating well to complement the exercising. The most significant change maybe observed after a breast surgery.  

  34. My breast are very big yet I…
    My breast are very big yet I have never had a child? Why is this and what can I do make them smaller without operation?

    1. Hey Joy, the shape and size…

      Hey Joy, the shape and size of a person’s breasts is determined by their genes. Also, when a person adds weight or looses weight it affects their breast size. This also means loosing weight may help to reduce their breast size. Getting breast surgery maybe the option that gives the best results. Have a look at the following article for more information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/love-relationships/happy-relationships/long-distance-relationships-dos-and-donts

  35. I love my girl but she has…
    I love my girl but she has small breast. I like slightly bigger ones. My question is if you caress breast will they become bigger?

  36. Pls I have noticed something…
    Pls I have noticed something with my breast sometimes.. My nipple folds in sometimes when I wear a tight bra or just on its own …what can be the cause of this? Thank you

    1. Hi Caroline, this is normal…

      Hi Caroline, this is normal. This doesn’t mean there is anything wrong with your nipples. You may also notice that your nipples become bigger and more sensitive when you are aroused. 

  37. I always feel pain wen am on…
    I always feel pain wen am on period

    1. Hi Mary, almost all women…

      Hi Mary, almost all women have discomfort during their period. Many get stomach aches and get in a bad mood. Sometimes you may feel tired, grumpy, or sad right before your period. This is pretty common. Most of it’s related to the changes in your hormones levels. Have a look at the following article;- 

      https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/menstruation

      https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/dealing-with-period-pain

  38. my breast have no nipples…
    my breast have no nipples will they come out when I get pregnant

  39. Help I want to. Ake my…
    Help I want to. Ake my btmreast smaller they are just growing bigger and bigger

    1. Hi, the size and shape of…

      Hi, the size and shape of your breast has to do with your genes. Breast size may also increase with increase in weight and when one is pregnant. Aside from loosing weight when the size and shape is influenced by weight gain or weight loss, the expensive breast reduction surgery maybe the option. Have a look at the following article for additional facts about breasts size;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/breasts-top-five-facts

  40. Is there a natural way to…
    Is there a natural way to reduce breast size? I am just in high s hoolandmy breast are big please.

    1. Hi Fridah, the shape and…

      Hi Fridah, the shape and size of your breasts are determined by your genes. Weight changes can also influence the size of ones breast. Weight loss can be a natural way to try and reduce the size of breast.

  41. Y is it dat a girl in…
    Y is it dat a girl in puberty age usually grow big breasts before their adulthood

    1. Hi Favour, this is normal…

      Hi Favour, this is normal for girls going through their puberty. These are the changes expected, but throughout their life they will observe different changes. Having said that, remember the size and shape of ones breast is greatly determined by their genes. Have a look at this article for more information;- https://lovemattersafrica.com/our-bodies/female-body/puberty-in-girls

  42. Is there any thing I can…
    Is there any thing I can clear my stretch marks with

    1. Hi Faith, stretch marks are…

      Hi Faith, stretch marks are naturally occuring and should not be anything to be ashamed of. There are a lot of people that reccommed aloe vera, certain oils and creams, there is no scientific full proof way of getting rid of stretch marks unless you try surgery in which case they may still not fully disappear. If you do want to get rid of them though, consult a medical professional for more information.

  43. My nipples comes out when am…
    My nipples comes out when am cold/ shivering and also when am excited.mom says I shouldn’t worry that when I get to breastfeed it will come out but am really worried

    1. Hello Rita Kings, thank you…

      Hello Rita Kings, thank you for getting in touch and opening up to us. What you are experiencing is completely normal and happens to all women around the world and it is not something to be ashamed of. With time, you will get used to it and you will be fine but remember not to worry as it is completely normal okay dear? 

  44. What causes boils on breast…
    What causes boils on breast. Are there any side effects once the boil heals?

    1. Hello Macki, you have asked…

      Hello Macki, you have asked a really good question. Boils on the breasts are caused by bacteria growing in a sweat gland or a hair gland. There are people who are more prone than others like people who have weakened immunity like diabetics. It is advised that you try not to squeeze a boil. If you keep getting a boil in the same area then it is best to see a medical professional

  45. Hi
    One of my breat produces…

    Hi
    One of my breat produces whitish to colourless discharge when i press it. Is it abnormal?

    1. Hi Aryann dishcarge from…

      Hi Aryann dishcarge from your breast may be a sign of an underlying issue. Please see a medical practitioner as soon as you can for a proper diagnosis and advice on the way forward.

  46. I have read about the…
    I have read about the discharges from the breasts. Is it a must to experience the discharges coz for me i haven’t experienced any

  47. Hi Immaculate, thank you for…

    Hi Immaculate, thank you for asking a great question, no it is not a must to experience it and it is also completely normal. 

  48. can putting on a bra prevent…
    can putting on a bra prevent ur breasts from sagging and stay firm

  49. Hi Karls, thank you for…

    Hi Karls, thank you for getting in touch and asking a great question. There is a popular myth that states that bras help maintain the form of women’s breasts and keep them firm, upright and perky but this is not necessarily true. It does nothing to reduce back pain and weakens the muscles that hold up the breasts, resulting in greater breast sagging. Therefore, the best thing to do is to regularly exercise your chest muscles by going to the gym and doing press ups. Also, not wearing tight bras can help as it allows your breast muscles to rely on themselves rather than exterior support. 

  50. Hi doc my two nipples are…
    Hi doc my two nipples are different should u be worried

    1. Hi Sally, 

      Do you mean…

      Hi Sally, 

      Do you mean different in terms of shape? size? color? Have they always been different or did you notice a change recently. Many women’s breasts are slightly different in size, shape, and position. Slightly uneven breasts or nipples are not usually a cause for concern. However, a size that is  significantly uneven may need the attention of a doctor. It would be advisable to visit a doctor in case you are worried about the difference.

  51. Hi am 22 yrs oflate my…
    Hi am 22 yrs oflate my breasts has become so much paining before my period what might be the problem because i started experiencing this pain at the age of 20…i don’t have a kid

    1. Hi there, 

      It is totally…

      Hi there, 

      It is totally normal for the breasts to feel sore or tender right before the periods. This is caused by a change in the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone before a period. 

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