Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Community Conversation => Transitioning => Hormone replacement therapy => Topic started by: Paige on March 24, 2015, 09:58:30 PM

Title: Early nipple growth
Post by: Paige on March 24, 2015, 09:58:30 PM
Hi All,

So I'm curious, I'm not on HRT yet but have been taking dutasteride for about 2 months.  Anyway a few times a day the area under my nipples harden and my nipples look bigger when this happens.  It usually lasts about 10 minutes or so and then goes away.  The area that hardens seems to be getting bigger too.  Does this sound like the early stage of breast growth.  I must say it makes me feel wonderful.

Thanks,
Paige :)
Title: Re: Early nipple growth
Post by: Megan Rose on March 24, 2015, 11:46:01 PM
I had two times in my life of spontaneous breast growth.   Both times, the nipples were the first things to show the growth.   One of those times was in puberty when my hormones didn't know which way to turn.   The other time was from a rapid weight loss which releases estrogen into the body.  Sad part of the story is that neither time was permanent, and HRT only yielded slightly better results.

But, nipples can also change due to cold, stimulus, etc.

Wait and see what happens?
Title: Re: Early nipple growth
Post by: mfox on March 25, 2015, 07:43:04 AM
Quote from: Megan Rose on March 24, 2015, 11:46:01 PM
I had two times in my life of spontaneous breast growth.   Both times, the nipples were the first things to show the growth.   One of those times was in puberty when my hormones didn't know which way to turn.   The other time was from a rapid weight loss which releases estrogen into the body.  Sad part of the story is that neither time was permanent, and HRT only yielded slightly better results.

Same here!  When I was going through puberty, I felt my firming breast bud at the time and asked my mom if kids can get breast cancer. :P   Similarly when I lost 20 lbs.  It didn't last more than a few weeks though if I remember right. 

But one of the labelled potential side effects of DHT blockers, depending on your dose, is breast growth.  :)
Title: Re: Early nipple growth
Post by: Paige on March 25, 2015, 08:07:55 AM
Quote from: Megan Rose on March 24, 2015, 11:46:01 PM
I had two times in my life of spontaneous breast growth.   Both times, the nipples were the first things to show the growth.   One of those times was in puberty when my hormones didn't know which way to turn.   The other time was from a rapid weight loss which releases estrogen into the body.  Sad part of the story is that neither time was permanent, and HRT only yielded slightly better results.

But, nipples can also change due to cold, stimulus, etc.

Wait and see what happens?

Hi Megan Rose,

Cold definitely seems to stimulate the effect but in the past it was just erect nipples, nothing underneath.  Now an area about 2 to 3 times the circumference of the nipple hardens up.  I wish it was puberty, but being 52 I'm guessing that's not it ;)  I'm still the same weight, and I've always stimulated them.  I'm pretty sure it's the dramatic drop in DHT that's responsible for this as this is the only thing that has changed recently.   It will be interesting to see if they develop more. 

Thanks for the comment,
Paige :)
Title: Re: Early nipple growth
Post by: Paige on March 25, 2015, 08:16:38 AM
Quote from: mfox on March 25, 2015, 07:43:04 AM
But one of the labelled potential side effects of DHT blockers, depending on your dose, is breast growth.  :)

Hi mfox,

Probably but if you believe the literature,  gynecomastia only occurs in 0.5 percent vs. 0.2 percent who take a placebo.  I guess I could be the 1 in 200 that gets this side effect.   Maybe I have more estrogen floating around then the average male.  I should probably get my levels checked.

Thanks,
Paige :)
Title: Re: Early nipple growth
Post by: KayXo on March 25, 2015, 09:50:58 AM
I think there is slight increase in E and T with dutasteride along with a big drop in DHT so that this change toward less androgenic action in general could bring about slight breast growth although according to study results, this is not a significant side-effect from the drug. Regardless of levels, you might just be extra sensitive to the change and a test cannot measure your sensitivity. ;)
Title: Re: Early nipple growth
Post by: Paige on March 25, 2015, 04:56:01 PM
Quote from: KayXo on March 25, 2015, 09:50:58 AM
I think there is slight increase in E and T with dutasteride along with a big drop in DHT so that this change toward less androgenic action in general could bring about slight breast growth although according to study results, this is not a significant side-effect from the drug. Regardless of levels, you might just be extra sensitive to the change and a test cannot measure your sensitivity. ;)

Thanks KayXo, Always appreciate your point of view on these sorts of things.
Paige :)