Ask Alison.

When do breasts stop developing? Why are my nipples flat?
hi i just wanted to know how long it takes for your breasts to develop into
like normal breasts because mine have been the same for the past couple of
years, they might hav grown like a lil bit but like the tiniest bit but
mainly have stayed the same and i just wanted to know if its normal or what
because they havnt gotten nipples yet and they first started growing when i
was like in either 4th or 5th grade and im a freshman right now and they've
gotten like to an average size for my age but they still havnt gotten
nipples and i just want to know how long it usually takes for that to
develop k i hope u can answer my questions because i dont know if thats
normal or not...and i also want to know if birth control effects your breast
development because im on birth control for irragular periods and i want to
know if that's effecting it k thanx

Typically, your breasts won't be fully developed until around the end of your teen years - around age 18. If you feel your breasts are around the size you feel they should be when you're a freshman, then things are developing fine and normally for you.

Birth control affects every body differently. It should not stop your breasts from growing; if anything, the weight gain some people experience could actually make their breasts slightly fuller. If you are worried about the effect birth control could be having on your body, a doctor is a good person to ask. Depending on how old you were when you got your period, it's normal to have irregular periods - you may not need birth control at all.

As for your nipples - I'm guessing you mean the coloured part of your nipples is there, but they don't stick out. This is normal.

Many girls will have flat nipples, but they will pucker up or stick out when they get cold/exposed to air or when they feel sexually excited. Some girls stay flat even then - this is called 'inverted nipples' and it doesn't mean anything is wrong with you.

Most women don't get nipples that stay 'out' until after childbirth and breastfeeding.

So rest assured that your breasts are probably perfectly normal. If you feel concern, your doctor should be able to offer you more info.

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Posted on 2006-03-20 at 9:31 a.m.