Breast growing pains

[Jill]

I understand that when breasts grow on HRT there are often growing pains.  I would like to hear some specific details as to exactly when and where and what the pains feel like. 

I am on avodart (dutasteride) and experiencing some tenderness in the breast area.  When any pressure is applied, there is a dull ache that lasts for a few minutes.   At other times, there is a dull ache and my breasts itch.   Sometimes it seems to be in the breast area and at other times in the center of the chest or just above the center.  I am wondering whether I am winning the "booby prize" (breast growth is a 1% side effect with avodart) or whether something else might be happening.

I have always been gynecomastic, so I am not sure whether my breasts or larger or I am just engaging in wishful thinking. 

[Meshi]

Avodart is used for prostate am i correct?  So what does it have to do with the breasts?  Im lost, lol  Anyways, I had soreness and like a heavy-ness but it didnt last all the time.  Only within the first...id say 6 months of hormone use. 

[V M]

I don't know much about Avodart... But I have been on estrogen for about 5-1/2 months

At first my nipples just itched and had occasional pain... When my dosage was increased so did the itching and pain

The itching seems to be mainly at the nipple with the pain being behind the nipple where what's called the nipple mound

The pain mostly comes if the nipple is bumped or irritated in some way

[Kellsie]

Within about a month of HRT I started feeling a dull ache in my breasts and then directly behind the nipple and areola.  Breasts are still tender in both places after 7 months.  I have to really be careful not to bump them.  Welcome to Womanhood.  Are you taking avodart for prostate?  I also do not understand.

[cynthialee]

Avodart has anti androgenic properties.

As to boob pain. It is bad when they are activly growing and even when they are not in growth phaze they are TENDER. Just a rush against them can make me tear up. and I am only at 5 months hrt so I have a long time ahead of me to deal with this.

[Janet_Girl]

Breast pain can be one of the side effects.

[Arch]

Folks, if you're confused, maybe consider rereading the post in case you missed something! The OP does say that

breast growth is a 1% side effect with avodart.

Anyway...is it possible that you're just having twinges without growth? Janet Lynn mentions it, so I'm wondering if it is mentioned on your "side effects" circular.

Good luck--I hope you did indeed get the "booby prize." One man's trash can be a trans woman's treasure!

[Sage Fallon]

I usually take boob pain as a good sign, uncomfortable though it is, at least I know it's worth it. 

[Seshatneferw]

Avodart is used for prostate am i correct?  So what does it have to do with the breasts?

It blocks the 5-α-reductase that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. DHT is a much more potent androgen than T, and it is necessary for the development of male characteristics during pregnancy and, if I remember correctly, up to puberty. For prostate problems (and male-pattern hair loss), getting rid of it is pretty much the best treatment. However, since the T doesn't become DHT some of it will convert to oestrogen instead, and since there are less androgens to combat it, there's a chance of some feminising effects. There's a lot of individual variation, though, so it's pretty much impossible to guess who gets lucky with the 'side' effects.

  Nfr

[gothique11]

Welcome to pain! Oh, I mean womanhood. 

Ive been on HRT for about 4 years, and I still get this from time to time... like right now. You get used to it, and it's not as bad as it is when it first starts. You may also, from time to time, feel lumps in your breasts -- don't be alarmed, it's the milk ducts swelling up and it means your growing.

You'll probably run into things, and fun stuff like that, and then it really will hurt. No worries, you'll adjust and find you'll avoid hitting them on the door, or carrying a box on your chest.

I guess when it comes to breasts, no pain is no gain. o_0

Oh, and prepare for itchiness. You may find yourself reaching to scratch one of your boobs at inconvenient times with out noticing at first -- say, at work. Yep, nothing like itching your boob and having some co-worker asking, "are you having fun?" *embarrassed looks*

[Dianna]

I had discomfort initially, but it soon passed. 

[pebbles]

Well it aches behind your nipple at first and itches and is sore on the surface later on you get unusual hard painful "Cores" of breast material. if you stretch the nipple apart it helps with the soreness on the surface, you can massage and soften up the cores inside the breasts.

The very first time I experienced it I was confused by it I thought "Ooh I have cramp in my pectoral muscle" *Mushes chest aggressively with hand*

Oh boy...  my body gave me an awfully large amount of feedback and... Sensory Commentary about that move. You learn to be careful around them.

[Naturally Blonde]

I wish I could find something that might work? I've been on HRT for many years but haven't got any visable breast growth.

I know the only alternative so far is breast implants but I'm still wondering if I should have one last ditch attempt at trying to get some breast growth, but how?

[Nicky]

Did you look into the whole human growth hormone thing we talked about the other day?


Mine are a bit sore underneith the nipple but not so bad. bumping them is just a bit ouch but totally bearable. I usually notice it when I pick up my boy.

[Flan]

I wish I could find something that might work? I've been on HRT for many years but haven't got any visable breast growth.

I know the only alternative so far is breast implants but I'm still wondering if I should have one last ditch attempt at trying to get some breast growth, but how?

I guess it's genetics roulette, I've been on injectable most of hrt (year 4 months) and I'm still only near A. Is patch or topical gel available in the uk?

[Nigella]

There has been many posts on breast growth and yes its all down to genetics and whether you have significant oestrogen and fat receptors in your breast area. First thing you might notice is a small hard lump behind the nipple that hurts like hell, lol. This is the breast bud stage. Then fat is deposited that fills out the breast, milk ducks grow, again hurts like hell and if you bump yourself, OMG you hit the roof. You can't lay on your stomach for the pain either. But it is womanhood and its great.

I have had constant pain since the breast bud stage. The stages are called Tanner and I think there are five stages, I have read that the most TS woman can reach is Tanner stage three but again some do reach four and five.

As they say, "no pain, no gain."

Pain also doesn't mean there is growth per say either.

At the end of the day you just have to go with the flow and see what happens. Its genetic pot luck even in gg's. That's why there are big one's, small one's and all the rest in between.

I'm sure you can google "Tanner Breast Growth Stages" and you will find the info.

Hugs

Stardust

[FairyGirl]

I've noticed the breast tenderness seems to cycle now; certain times of the month are worse than others. Those are the times they also seem to be somewhat more swollen. I keep hoping they'll stay that way, but it varies.

[Naturally Blonde]

I guess it's genetics roulette, I've been on injectable most of hrt (year 4 months) and I'm still only near A. Is patch or topical gel available in the uk?

You can't be in the U.K if your on injectables? everytime I ask for them I'm told they are not legally licensed in the U.K!  The only way I can get them is to personally buy them from overseas and hope customs don't seize them!

I tried gels in the 1990's and found them to be totally useless! but I've been on patches for the last two years and they work better for me than pills do. But still very little breast growth in over a decade of trying pills, gels, patches along with various anti - androgens.

I've now found out it might be possible to get HRT implants in the U.K, so I'm pushing for those with my endo!

Post Merge: April 01, 2010, 04:06:15 PM

Did you look into the whole human growth hormone thing we talked about the other day?

Yes, but it looks a bit iffy and could produce unwanted side effects!

[girl_ashley]

I get prescribed the injectable here in the US and do feel thankful I have that option.  But at least you all in the UK and Canada can obtain Cyproterone Acetate if you wanted it. 

[Autumn]

Avodart is better at regrowing hair than finasteride is. It blocks both sets of receptors in the scalp instead of one. It's just that, for example, without insurance my avodart would be $360 per month in America :V It's worth it to me to use it instead of propecia. I got MUCH better results when I started taking it, compared to finasteride.

It costs a hell of a lot less DIY. Competative market, if you ask me. 90 day mail order prescription is the best price I've found, though.

I took finasteride for a year. I took avodart for a year after that. Then, shortly into my second year, I started taking spiro. A very small amount, 1/8th my current dose, though over the next half year I increased my dose progressively as my stomach acclimated to the medication. One of my breasts budded in less than a month, followed by the other. When I finally saw an endo over half a year later he told me it was impossible for my breasts to have started growing. Until he felt me up.

However, I'm still not a full A. I skipped jan and feb on progesterone treatment, and I regret it. I'm back on it again now and feeling familiar soreness.

Honestly, the pain in the first couple of months is really shocking, but you sort of get used to it... to me, unless I run them into something, I relish the pain. It means growth. It means I'm more myself. And really, the 2 months I was not on P, I had very little sensation in my breasts and it saddened me. If you are with a partner, new breast growth is AMAZING. They have to be careful, but it is so sensitive. Even by myself, I nearly reached climax once from nipples alone.

Beauty is pain.