Susan's Place Transgender Resources

So, I've been on HRT for 3 weeks now. A few days ago I had pains in the breast area around the nipples. The sensitivity had increased and they did feel a little sore. I noticed like 2 - 3 little nodules on the edge of the areola that cause a very dull slight pain when I touch them. When my arms are down, it looks like a cross between a man boob and a female breast, but raising the arms above my head cause me to go basically flat chested though the nipples and areola are very slightly raised up and the pain has kind of ceased since last night. I've had a slight prick here and there today, and it tingles on and off, like when you make your arm fall asleep but it is very very slight in that feeling. I didn't have any kind of man boob before hand either. So my question is, is that actual breast development or very early stages of breast development, or am I just gaining fat there because of HRT? I haven't really put on any weight either, and the area doesn't droop, it's quite perky and kind of firm but kind of soft too. I'm just curious if this is normal development or not.

Yes, it's breast development and also fat deposit (breasts are both gland and mostly fat after all). After three weeks that is a good start.

Quote from: Ms Grace on March 31, 2016, 02:57:35 PM
Yes, it's breast development and also fat deposit (breasts are both gland and mostly fat after all). After three weeks that is a good start.

Yay!! :D My right one is ahead of the left one XD but that's good news :) Thank you

It's very common for breasts to develop asymmetrically (lop sided) but they mostly even up over time.

Quote from: Ms Grace on March 31, 2016, 03:03:16 PM
It's very common for breasts to develop asymmetrically (lop sided) but they mostly even up over time.

I was kind of worried because like I've read posts of people saying the pain and soreness lasts for a while and I was like wait it didn't last nearly that long for me, it started sharp then dulled down, and then just comes and goes.

Edit: It's just all so new, it's hard not to get excited and everything. I'm glad the growth started as soon as it did though :)

The best is yet to come my dear!! You haven't heard the last from your budding girls! Trust me!! They let you know they are there! :) good luck!!

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Your journey is just starting most of my changes started getting rapidly bigger between 6-9 months then again at 13 to 18 months and im still very very tender!!! dont worry too much although i did rapidly start gaining weight on hrt medications



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Yes! That's normal!

Also remember to wear a properly fitting bra if you wear one. Your band number should correspond to the ribcage measurement (no adding 4") and every letter is one inch (Ex UB of 32 and bust of 36 = 32D). Even way too many cis girls have no idea what bra size they should be wearing, albeit it's not their fault. 

Quote from: ChloëAri on April 01, 2016, 12:21:53 AM
Yes! That's normal!

Also remember to wear a properly fitting bra if you wear one. Your band number should correspond to the ribcage measurement (no adding 4") and every letter is one inch (Ex UB of 32 and bust of 36 = 32D). Even way too many cis girls have no idea what bra size they should be wearing, albeit it's not their fault.

I actually haven't looked at bras yet o.o So far I've only worn sports bras, but like I should probably start looking into actual bras o.o

Quote from: link5019 on March 31, 2016, 03:05:30 PM
I was kind of worried because like I've read posts of people saying the pain and soreness lasts for a while and I was like wait it didn't last nearly that long for me, it started sharp then dulled down, and then just comes and goes.

Edit: It's just all so new, it's hard not to get excited and everything. I'm glad the growth started as soon as it did though :)

Yes, it is all new and exciting and that is a good thing  :icon_chick:  I would be a bit concerned if someone was like "Ho hum, my boobs be growing" LOL

Congrats and best wishes on your new developments

Hugs

Quote from: ChloëAri on April 01, 2016, 12:21:53 AM
Also remember to wear a properly fitting bra if you wear one.

This also means that you will have to do the ultimate scary thing: go to a store and try different styles and sizes until you find one that fits. The measurements don't tell everything - in fact, all bras I've had have had a larger band size than advertised. I don't mind, though, as 38C (or the occasional 36D) is much easier to find than the 42A that my trusty tape measure would suggest. When looking for the right size, it's useful to know that the cup size is relative to the band size, so that the three sizes listed above all have identical cups.

Quote from: Seshatneferw on April 01, 2016, 02:39:51 PM
This also means that you will have to do the ultimate scary thing: go to a store and try different styles and sizes until you find one that fits. The measurements don't tell everything - in fact, all bras I've had have had a larger band size than advertised. I don't mind, though, as 38C (or the occasional 36D) is much easier to find than the 42A that my trusty tape measure would suggest. When looking for the right size, it's useful to know that the cup size is relative to the band size, so that the three sizes listed above all have identical cups.

Oh jeez.. T_T I don't even know my current measurements, my mom hid the tailors measure tape from me so I can't measure XD

The tape is strictly optional. In my experience (although this is in reasonably big Scandinavian cities), no-one will mind if one goes to a fitting room in a supermarket with a selection of bras.

Oh, by the by: another thing to keep in mind is that quite a few trans women have shallow breasts, that is, wide at the base but not protruding all that much. Half cups or plunge-cut push-up styles may fit better than full cups. Also, if the cups look loose, they may be too big - but they may also be too small: after all, if you try to put a grapefruit in a thimble the thimble will be mostly empty...

Hey, I've worked with lots of folks over the years as a nurse in primary care and before that as a youth group facilitator and this is one of the most exciting periods though often frought with a lot of complex emotions as we undergo hormonal change, physical changes (some of which you describe), and significant social changes as how we are socially read can become more 'visible' and challenging before (and I hate to use the phrase but it's largely true) it gets better. All of those changes can beget strong emotional changes that can be difficult to ride out and be patient with. Though a challenge sometimes, I'd encourage you to enjoy and savour this magical time, of relatively rapid (though it feels so slow) physical growth as you've made the decision to give yourself the joy of a second puberty! Good on you girl! :-) 

To answer your question, breast development can start anywhere from 1 week to beyond a month of having started hormones depending on our unique biologies which are shaped by age, genetics, and body weight, primarily (pharmacokinetically, estrogen responds better when we have more fat to begin with). The tenderness, though maybe disconcerting, is likely normal. At this stage your family doctor or nurse practitioner (or whoever is prescribing you hormones) should be doing bloodwork at least every 3 months to check your hormone levels including prolactin which can often be elevated in the weeks to months after surgery. Let them know if you notice any milk or other discharge (while it may not necessarily be a problem, they should probably know about it).

One thing that I've noticed is that there is such incredible variability with respect to breast growth and development and the timing thereof. For myself, I had some good growth for the first year or so that I was on estrogen (and anti-androgens) and then another spurt shortly after my orchiectomy a few years. I was a decent A but I had quite pointy, almost tubular breasts. Over the past 2 years or so (this is well over a decade on hormones and now in my mid-30's) I have undergone another significant growth spurt and I can't quite figure out why this is the case, but it's happened and now, finally, my breasts are almost a C most days and much more mature and full. Go figure! All this to share an example of how things can shift and change even beyond the "18-24 month" window that is so often thrown out there (by us nurses and other providers as well as community members) to delineate the period of most significant growth. I caution all people to wait at least that amount of time before considering implants and even then, if your hormone prescriber thinks its appropriate to try adding micronized progesterone to your regimen and/or increasing your estrogen dose for a time being as these can occasionally help but also carry their own risks.

Good luck with everything!


Rebecca
Toronto, ON
35 years old
Transitioned socially 1997
Hormones since 2002
Orchiectomy - Toronto (Klotz) 2005
GAS (vaginoplasty) - Montreal (Brassard) 2008
FFS (forehead/nose) - Buenos Aires (Rossi) April 20, 2016!!!

Quote from: RebeccaM on April 02, 2016, 01:44:30 PM
Hey, I've worked with lots of folks over the years as a nurse in primary care and before that as a youth group facilitator and this is one of the most exciting periods though often frought with a lot of complex emotions as we undergo hormonal change, physical changes (some of which you describe), and significant social changes as how we are socially read can become more 'visible' and challenging before (and I hate to use the phrase but it's largely true) it gets better. All of those changes can beget strong emotional changes that can be difficult to ride out and be patient with. Though a challenge sometimes, I'd encourage you to enjoy and savour this magical time, of relatively rapid (though it feels so slow) physical growth as you've made the decision to give yourself the joy of a second puberty! Good on you girl! :-) 

To answer your question, breast development can start anywhere from 1 week to beyond a month of having started hormones depending on our unique biologies which are shaped by age, genetics, and body weight, primarily (pharmacokinetically, estrogen responds better when we have more fat to begin with). The tenderness, though maybe disconcerting, is likely normal. At this stage your family doctor or nurse practitioner (or whoever is prescribing you hormones) should be doing bloodwork at least every 3 months to check your hormone levels including prolactin which can often be elevated in the weeks to months after surgery. Let them know if you notice any milk or other discharge (while it may not necessarily be a problem, they should probably know about it).

One thing that I've noticed is that there is such incredible variability with respect to breast growth and development and the timing thereof. For myself, I had some good growth for the first year or so that I was on estrogen (and anti-androgens) and then another spurt shortly after my orchiectomy a few years. I was a decent A but I had quite pointy, almost tubular breasts. Over the past 2 years or so (this is well over a decade on hormones and now in my mid-30's) I have undergone another significant growth spurt and I can't quite figure out why this is the case, but it's happened and now, finally, my breasts are almost a C most days and much more mature and full. Go figure! All this to share an example of how things can shift and change even beyond the "18-24 month" window that is so often thrown out there (by us nurses and other providers as well as community members) to delineate the period of most significant growth. I caution all people to wait at least that amount of time before considering implants and even then, if your hormone prescriber thinks its appropriate to try adding micronized progesterone to your regimen and/or increasing your estrogen dose for a time being as these can occasionally help but also carry their own risks.

Good luck with everything!


Rebecca
Toronto, ON
35 years old
Transitioned socially 1997
Hormones since 2002
Orchiectomy - Toronto (Klotz) 2005
GAS (vaginoplasty) - Montreal (Brassard) 2008
FFS (forehead/nose) - Buenos Aires (Rossi) April 20, 2016!!!

Oh wow! Thank you for the details response :D I have been wearing a sports bra, which kind of hides the development I've had which annoys me! >.< But I'm surprised at all the change that have occurred so far in only 3 1/2 week so far and each day I greet with joy and happiness. The tenderness does come and go and so day the itchiness which holy cow it's so hard to resist the urge to itch XD Mine personally are more of a rounded shape like a mix between a man breast and a female breast, the right nipple and areola do puff out a bit, the left one doesn't as much as it is the one that is lagging behind, but like the nipples are kind of painful to touch at times. It's been an excited journey so far!

Quote from: Seshatneferw on April 01, 2016, 02:39:51 PM
I don't mind, though, as 38C (or the occasional 36D) is much easier to find than the 42A that my trusty tape measure would suggest.

Are you adding 4" to the band measurement, or is your underbust truly 42" around with a 43" bust? Another thing is that, above a band of 36, the bands are stretchier than the strict measurement, and mathematical formulas become less sound. My 32 only stretches to about 33" reasonably.

Quote from: ChloëAri on April 05, 2016, 09:33:54 PM
Are you adding 4" to the band measurement, or is your underbust truly 42" around with a 43" bust?

Actually, I'm using European sizes, where a 85C is supposed to correspond to an underbust measurement of 85 cm. However, before today I'd never actually done the math and realised that the 85 cm is really 33.5" instead of the 38 that it says on the label. Now I'm seriously baffled, as the US / British sizes actually fit as advertised (without adding anything) while the metric ones are off by roughly 10 cm / 4". Still, I can find a bra that fits, which is the important part. :D

Quote from: Seshatneferw on April 06, 2016, 10:13:53 AM
Actually, I'm using European sizes, where a 85C is supposed to correspond to an underbust measurement of 85 cm. However, before today I'd never actually done the math and realised that the 85 cm is really 33.5" instead of the 38 that it says on the label. Now I'm seriously baffled, as the US / British sizes actually fit as advertised (without adding anything) while the metric ones are off by roughly 10 cm / 4". Still, I can find a bra that fits, which is the important part. :D

That's true! If it works for you, then that's fine. But yes, European brands have the 4" built into the stated size, and I always get 10cm less than stated. Maybe try a 75DD as see how that works :)

Quote from: ChloëAri on April 01, 2016, 12:21:53 AM
Yes! That's normal!

Also remember to wear a properly fitting bra if you wear one. Your band number should correspond to the ribcage measurement (no adding 4") and every letter is one inch (Ex UB of 32 and bust of 36 = 32D). Even way too many cis girls have no idea what bra size they should be wearing, albeit it's not their fault.

FTM's perspective here on bras--tried to buy them at Sears/Penneys and had ill-fitting bras for years. A friend pointed me towards Dillards. Yes, you pay more but they FIT and they last a long time. I was able to get no underwire (they bite your ribs) even though I was a large size, and the style I got immobilized the damn things which was important to me (too big to bind). I would very much recommend Dillards or any place a cut above Penneys/Sears where they have trained bra consultants who can measure you properly and steer you to the right garment.

Once you know your size you can always shop online. My wife is a really small size and doesn't have good luck shopping online, though.

Quote from: Seshatneferw on April 01, 2016, 02:39:51 PM
This also means that you will have to do the ultimate scary thing: go to a store and try different styles and sizes until you find one that fits. The measurements don't tell everything - in fact, all bras I've had have had a larger band size than advertised. I don't mind, though, as 38C (or the occasional 36D) is much easier to find than the 42A that my trusty tape measure would suggest. When looking for the right size, it's useful to know that the cup size is relative to the band size, so that the three sizes listed above all have identical cups.

So, I totally used to do that. The bands are elastic and have a lot of give, yes. However, the bra still doesn't fit and that can cause all kinds of problems (even back pain). There is nothing that compares to a bra that actually fits.

Again, Sears/Penneys only carries middling to crummy quality bras at limited sizes. Stay away. I expect Target and Walmart are the same.

ETA: I only changed my bra game because an assertive friend who worked in retail convinced me to come in. Very dysphoric/embarrassed about bra shopping as you can imagine.

Quote from: AnxietyDisord3r on April 10, 2016, 08:57:19 AM
So, I totally used to do that. The bands are elastic and have a lot of give, yes. However, the bra still doesn't fit and that can cause all kinds of problems (even back pain). There is nothing that compares to a bra that actually fits.

Again, Sears/Penneys only carries middling to crummy quality bras at limited sizes. Stay away. I expect Target and Walmart are the same.

ETA: I only changed my bra game because an assertive friend who worked in retail convinced me to come in. Very dysphoric/embarrassed about bra shopping as you can imagine.

Oh wow! I've personally only done sports bras so I haven't done real bra shopping yet. I will soon though!! Also good to know where not to shop for bras

re: cup size

Just want to pipe up and point out here that many cis women have small cup sizes until they get pregnant for the first time or go on certain versions of the Pill. Think Debra Messing. Certain ethnic groups are more prone to this than others. Sorry, it just bothered me to see larger breast equated to "mature" when that isn't true.

For some reason our society is always changing its standards on the "acceptable" female body and if you go to middling retailers all of the small cup bras are padded/pushup. My wife refuses to wear these. She likes bras from East Asian retailers that are light and easy to wear.

Another trick with bras: you can get band extenders (basically marketed towards women who have gained weight) so if you have an odd band/cup size you can get a smaller band and then use the extender. HTH.

My breasts are growing again and it's a nice change since I'm hoping for a C.  Women in my family were C D DD.  Hugs Shannon

Finding a bra that fits and is comfortable has been difficult for me. I am an A cup but big band. I really don't want to wear forms just to fill out some of my clothes. I found a bra that seems to fit very comfortably and I think looks great under my clothes. The company is Glamorise and it is called the Perfect "A" Bra. It does have padding and the cup fits close to my breast with no gaps. I am not trying to advertise the company just tell you what I found that works for me.

As I move into the next months I hope to gain to a "B" cup, more would be nice but B would be wonderful.

Regards, Heather

Quote from: ChloëAri on April 01, 2016, 12:21:53 AM
Yes! That's normal!

Also remember to wear a properly fitting bra if you wear one. Your band number should correspond to the ribcage measurement (no adding 4") and every letter is one inch (Ex UB of 32 and bust of 36 = 32D). Even way too many cis girls have no idea what bra size they should be wearing, albeit it's not their fault.

That doesn't work for me at all.  My ribcage is 36 and my bust is 42 (removing the fractions of an inch. 

So by one measurement system I am a 36E and by the other I am a 40B.

If I wear a 36E I might fill the cups if I add about six pairs of socks to each side.  If I wear a 40B its band is loose enough to slide right down to my feet.

What actually does fit rather nicely is a 36B which no measurement system accounts for.  So I think the only thing that does work for real is trial and error until one finds a band and cup that is snug but not tight and that is comfortable.

Quote from: Deborah on July 23, 2016, 10:14:27 AM
So I think the only thing that does work for real is trial and error until one finds a band and cup that is snug but not tight and that is comfortable.

Yes, that seems to be the way it is. Plus it's not just the band and cup sizes but also the style of the bra – for me, a full cup 36B has a bit of empty space in the cups and chafes while a demi-cup 36D fits wonderfully. As long as it's made by the right manufacturer, of course...

The things I've had to keep in mind are 1) the rib cage measure, 2) the circumference of the base of my breasts, and 3) the bust measurement. Of these, #1 determines the band size, #2 the cup size, and after that #3 has an effect on the required cut of the bra. Using #3 for cup size (as the standard directions go) can lead to the grapefruit-in-thimble effect (that is, the breast will not fit in the cup, leaving it empty).

Finding a bra that fits is pretty much like finding any other clothes that fit: the sizes give some indication but you really need to try it on.