Hormones 2016

Breast Development
patches twice a week). Below that dosage I feel unmotivated and lethargic,
as if "there’s something missing from my life" and generally unwell and
unhappy. But at my optimum dosage I’m happy and productive, and life is
good.
Anyway, back to breast growth, as I said mine changed when I moved from
tablets to patches, and again when I achieved my optimum dosage. On each
of the last two occasions I had a growth spurt, and they grew slightly. But,
you must have some body fat on you, if you’re as skinny as a rake and with
your ribs being very easily seen, then you won’t have much fat to build your
breasts!
If you have had an orchiectomy or breast implants, then breast growth may
have a spurt as well. It is also possible that you’re breast growth may not
have ended when you have breast implants, which could account for the
growth seen post-operatively.
Most transwomen will not have fully developed breasts, and this is normal.
Most will be "Tanner III" or perhaps "Tanner IV". And the available
evidence suggests that breast development is insufficient for the majority
of transwomen and that the type and dosage of hormonal therapy seems to
not have an important role on the final breast size.
"Our knowledge concerning the natural history and effects of different cross-sex
hormone therapies on breast development in transwomen is extremely sparse and
based on low quality of evidence. Current evidence does not provide evidence that
progestogens enhance breast development in transwomen. Neither do they prove the
absence of such an effect. This prevents us from drawing any firm conclusion at this
moment and demonstrates the need for further research to clarify these important
clinical questions" (Wierckx, L Gooren, and T’sjoen, 2014).
Earlier research in 2012 suggests that 60% of transsexual women request a
mammoplasty, and that depression was noted in approximately 30% of their
subjects (Seal et al., 2012).
For the transgendered woman, breast development will vary greatly, as it
does with the genetic female population. However, breast development will
typically be less than what is experienced in the genetic female population.
With the transgendered woman, breast tissue growth is basically promoted
by oestrogens and anti-androgens. Under most circumstances, breast
development exceeding a B cup is rare. Development will take at least 2
years to reach maximum size.
• Before your breasts start to grow, your chest will be flat and your
nipples may be small.
• Then, small bumps (called buds) will start under your nipples, after
about two to three months of hormone therapy.
• These buds may feel tender or sensitive at first, but this will stop as
time passes.
• Your nipples and the area around them (the areola) may change in
colour and your nipples will sometimes get hard and stick out.
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