If you have breasts, if you will develop them pretty soon, or if you are just getting used to them, this article is for you.
Welcome to your new breasts. They are going to be with you for quite a while, so let's cover the basics.
What are they? Breasts are considered "secondary" sex organs. Although they have no primary function in sexual reproduction, they are sexually sensitive and may inspire sexual desire. Breasts develop during puberty. Even though they're not directly responsible for reproduction, they still play a big role in your sexuality — maybe as much as your sex organs do, because they are more visible and have a lot to do with how you and others see your body.
Boobs are cool when you think about it. They not only attract partneres, but also can give a lot of sexual pleasure without a risk of pregnancy or infection, AND they make milk to feed and nurture babies!
The main thing about breasts is that they can be as different as any two women are. Almost anything is normal. They come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. And when they are developing, they change all the time. As soon as you get used to them one way, they are likely to become different.
Size
The thing about boobs that seems to cause the most worry is their size. Breasts can range from teeny to enormous, and it seems that we all waste a lot of energy wishing ours were either larger or smaller. Whether yours are lemons or grapefruits, they're normal.
Small: Some girls worry that having small breasts makes them less feminine. But the tiniest breasts can be really sexy and can work great for sexual pleasure and breast-feeding babies. So if yours are on the small side, try to consider them a well-kept secret.
Large: If girls with small boobs can feel asexual, girls with big boobs often get treated like they are overly sexual. Some girls feel that once their breasts develop, no one notices anything else about them. We say — be proud of what you've got!
Lopsided: While boobs come in pairs, they are not always a perfect match. Your two breasts can develop at different rates. Sometimes this evens out, and sometimes it doesn't — either way is normal! If you feel self-conscious about it, you can pad one side of your bra. But even after puberty's over, most women's breasts, like the two sides of our faces, differ somewhat from each other.
Nipples
Color: Nipples come in a whole range of colors, from light pink to brownish black. The color of your nipples usually corresponds to your skin color. Got dark skin? You've probably got darker nipples. As your breasts develop, your nipples and areolae (the area around the nipples) also get darker.
Inverted: A lot of girls and women have nipples that are inverted — they're like slits instead of buttons. Guess what? This, too, is normal. Sometimes only one nipple is inverted. Sometimes they invert or correct themselves during development. Inverted nipples work just fine and don't mean you can't breast-feed later if you choose to.
Hair: As you've probably noticed, puberty means hair starts cropping up in unexpected places, including your breasts. It's totally normal to have some hair growing around the outside of your areolae. You can leave it alone, or, if it really bothers you, you can remove it with tweezers.
Erections: Boing! Like the penis and the clitoris, nipples get erect. Cold, friction, sexual excitement, and even nerves can cause your nipples to become hard and sort of pop out. If this embarrasses you, sometimes rubbing your nipples can make the erection go away. Or, if you're really self-conscious, you can cover them with your arms or a sweater, or wear a bra that has a lining or pads.
Development
Everyone's breasts develop at a different rate. You can start as early as eight years old or as late as 16. Most girls' breasts develop between the ages of nine and 14. They can grow slowly or quickly regardless of when they start to develop.
If you get your period and your breasts and nipples are totally undeveloped, you should see your doctor to just make sure that everything is on track.
Soreness: It's normal for breasts to feel sore or tender as they develop. This discomfort will go away as growth slows down.
Stretch Marks: Many girls get stretch marks on their breasts. This is because our skin can't always keep up with the growth happening beneath it. Stretch marks may start out pink or red and raised, but will eventually fade and be much less noticeable.
Sexuality
Breasts can give you a lot of sexual pleasure. They are basically "freebies," since you can't get pregnant or catch sexually transmitted infection by going to "second base." Most girls' breasts and nipples are sensitive to stroking, touching, and kissing. Looking at, feeling, and kissing breasts, turns on a lot of people. Some partners are clumsy in the way they handle breasts and need to be told or shown how to do it in a pleasing way. Some women, of course, aren't crazy about having their breasts touched, and this is normal, too.
