Can breast tissue continue to grow while on testosterone?

[conformer]

Hi all,

I've been on T for some time now . . almost 3 years. I stopped binding around this time last summer because the constant pressure was just not going well with my body and started causing problems. And I could mostly get away without the binder.

But lately I feel like my breasts are more evident. I'm not sure if I'm just extra dysphoric this past month, or if they actually are growing still. But it's like they're bigger and pushing my shirts out more. I'm going to get a second opinion when I see my sister tomorrow.

Anyways: can breast tissue continue to grow while on testosterone? I've not had surgery yet. I started T when I was 16, I'm 19 now, and I've been on the same dose since then (if that helps at all). I just mentioned that because I know that my body would still be going through female puberty at this time had I not started T, so maybe that has something to do with it?

[Bimmer Guy]

Hi all,

I've been on T for some time now . . almost 3 years. I stopped binding around this time last summer because the constant pressure was just not going well with my body and started causing problems. And I could mostly get away without the binder.

But lately I feel like my breasts are more evident. I'm not sure if I'm just extra dysphoric this past month, or if they actually are growing still. But it's like they're bigger and pushing my shirts out more. I'm going to get a second opinion when I see my sister tomorrow.

Anyways: can breast tissue continue to grow while on testosterone? I've not had surgery yet. I started T when I was 16, I'm 19 now, and I've been on the same dose since then (if that helps at all). I just mentioned that because I know that my body would still be going through female puberty at this time had I not started T, so maybe that has something to do with it?

Have you gained weight?  Could it just be a man boob thing that happens when bio males gain weight?  I don't see how estrogen could impacts things as the reason most docs in the US don't give estrogen blockers is that they are not necessary due to T.  I suppose makes sense to get an updated T level done. 

[Tysilio]

It might be possible if your T level is way high, as excess T is converted to estrogen. Have you had any tenderness in your breasts/nipples? That would be one sign that something like that might be going on. It would definitely be good to get your T level checked.

[Adam (birkin)]

Well, judging by your avatar they don't look like boobs AT ALL, you look really ripped and handsome. I always assumed you'd had surgery and those were just pecs.

As for your question, it is hard to say. When I have my surgery done, some breast tissue will still remain and I asked the surgeon if that would be a concern (if something happened for me to have higher estrogen), he said no. But then I am older so perhaps the assumption is that my tissues have reached their full growth.

[conformer]

Have you gained weight?  Could it just be a man boob thing that happens when bio males gain weight?  I don't see how estrogen could impacts things as the reason most docs in the US don't give estrogen blockers is that they are not necessary due to T.  I suppose makes sense to get an updated T level done.

Well, I have gained about 6 pounds over the past couple of months from bulking. So I supposed there is the possibility that I am just now looking and noticing my chest being bigger.

It might be possible if your T level is way high, as excess T is converted to estrogen. Have you had any tenderness in your breasts/nipples? That would be one sign that something like that might be going on. It would definitely be good to get your T level checked.

Hmm no tenderness at the moment. I'll have to pay more attention these next few days.

I feel like such a dork being so unaware of what's been going on with my body! You just get so wrapped up in daily life sometimes that you take it for granted.

**edit**

Well, judging by your avatar they don't look like boobs AT ALL, you look really ripped and handsome. I always assumed you'd had surgery and those were just pecs.

As for your question, it is hard to say. When I have my surgery done, some breast tissue will still remain and I asked the surgeon if that would be a concern (if something happened for me to have higher estrogen), he said no. But then I am older so perhaps the assumption is that my tissues have reached their full growth.

Ohh stop it, thank you ! And you know, that's what curious about . . "the assumption is that my tissues have reacher their full growth" .

Sorry, this wasn't a very well developed response. I am exhausted.

[FTMKyle]

If you have gained 6 pounds from bulking, I'd say it's your pecs pushing the breasts out. An unfortunate side effect to gaining muscle, but I really doubt you are experiencing breast tissue growth of any kind, especially with how lean you look in your avatar.

You could try the layering technique to conceal your chest. I used to wear a small sports bra (the kind with the T back for better binding), then a tea shirt, and a button down over that.

[makipu]

Hi,
I am way past puberty but I just recently noticed that on my prescription as T's side effects, it says:  "Enlarged/painful breasts"! I never look at my chest due to the disgust for the female body but sometimes I somehow feel that they are larger...   So this is true then?

[SWNID]

Hi,
I am way past puberty but I just recently noticed that on my prescription as T's side effects, it says:  "Enlarged/painful breasts"! I never look at my chest due to the disgust for the female body but sometimes I somehow feel that they are larger...   So this is true then?

Gynecomastia could be a potential side effect from T, but my understanding is that this condition is not caused by T itself, but rather its conversion to estrogen. This is a concern for bodybuilders and some other athletes who uses T and other kinds of anabolic/ androgenic steroids, but the dosages they use are much high (5~20X) than ftm transition use. The dosages that prescribed to FTMs are very unlikely to cause breast development.

Conformer, I think what you noticed might be just that the overall shape of your chest had changed due to your muscle development. You can ask your doctor to check your hormone level to be sure.

[conformer]

Thank you all for the replies. I have an appointment scheduled to see an endocrinologist now. It's all the way in October because I am switching to a gender services specific clinic, but I think I'll be fine.

I was out on the water all weekend and didn't get any weird stares or anything, so that eased my mind. I think it was just me being paranoid and dysphoric. Plus I've been wearing my contact lenses lately and they seem to magnify the world compared to my glasses.

Hi,
I am way past puberty but I just recently noticed that on my prescription as T's side effects, it says:  "Enlarged/painful breasts"! I never look at my chest due to the disgust for the female body but sometimes I somehow feel that they are larger...   So this is true then?

It's quite possibly muscle under your breast tissue as people have said. Or weight gain?

[Charliedogist]

I'm in the same boat. My weight gain has been around the same as yours, but like everyone said, it's muscle, and it's your pecs actually becoming muscles that are pushing what breast tissue you have out. It's annoying, but I'm pushing through it because in the end it DOES give a better result from surgery to be in shape and have that underlying muscle that your surgeon can go by.

From your avatar, I'd say we've probably hit the same stage. I feel like they're HUGE, but no one looks twice at them, even when I'm wearing a tighter t-shirt, because my arms are bigger, so naturally people just assume they're pecs and not boobs.