FAQs about Appearance and Size of Breasts
Frederick R. Jelovsek MD
It is normal for the size of areolas to increase in size permanently after having a child. I do not know of a non-surgical way to reduce the size of the areolas but the swelling of the breasts would likely make the areolas larger. I'm not sure why the breasts should be swelling. The first thing you should check is that the bra is fitting properly, i.e., that it is not too small or otherwise constricting venous blood flow. Discussing your concerns with your fiance or someone else might help you to have more confidence in your relationship with your fiance. If this is something that would affect his feelings for you, do you really want to marry him?
The inflammatory skin diseases of the breast that come to mind are: Hidradenitis suppurativa and Fox-Fordyce disease. These are apocrine sweat gland diseases, characterized by chronic and recurrent forms, with frequently unsatisfactory management and physical discomfort. Paget's disease of the breast is another skin condition. I think a dermatologist is a good next choice. If it turns out to be Paget's disease, you may have to return to the breast surgeon for reevaluation because it can be associated with underlying malignancy.
Breast asymmetry of one cup size is fairly common. At age 16 there may still be some more equalization of the size. After about age 18-20 there will be little change until pregnancy. If you are not having regular menses, i.e., anovulation, you might consider birth control pills since the breasts may still be sensitive to estrogen at this time. If you are having regular ovulation, pills will not make much change.
Virginal hypertrophy of the breasts is of concern because it is impossible to tell when the growth is going to stop. If you knew is was going to stop soon, you would not do anything more at this time. Unfortunately you do not know nor does anyone.
This condition is thought to be due to sensitivity (possibly genetic or congenital) of the breasts to estrogen. Some doctors who specialize in teens have used high dose progesterone like Depoprovera in an effort to counteract the estrogen. As far as I am aware this is a theoretical treatment and there are no studies to support it but it may be worth a try. You may want to talk to your doctor about this or ask for a referral for your daughter to an adolescent gynecology specialist.
Upper body exercises will increase chest muscles but may also decrease fat in the breast which is the main source of breast size. The only way to actually increase the size of the breasts is usually to gain weight (fat deposition). Some women do more lower body exercises hoping that the extra fat will be deposited in the upper body. Some women wear constant spandex type of lower body garments to "redirect" fat deposition to the upper body. I doubt that either works. Estrogen sometimes enhances breast fat deposition and is probably more moderately priced that many things you see advertised. An herb, Saw palmetto, is touted to help increase breast size but as far as I know it is not very successful. It will cause some breast stimulation in males (gynecomastia) due to estrogen or anti-testosterone content.
The only two structures in the axilla likely to swell are lymph nodes and sweat glands. Rarely there can be some breast glandular tissue there. You will need an exam by your physician to see what it might be.
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