At What Age Are Breasts Fully Developed?

A common question asked regarding breast procedures is “are my breasts done growing?” and like most questions about the human body, there is no definite answer. However, there are a few common factors that determine when breasts are fully developed.

Breast development technically begins before birth, with the creation of the milk-duct system and continues internally throughout childhood as the breast tissue and mammary glands develop. During puberty, estrogen is released by the ovaries which is when girls typically start seeing their breasts appear and secretory glands are formed.

The growth of the milk-duct and gland system and accumulation of fatty tissue cause breast size to increase. Sometimes the menstrual cycle has an effect on breast size due to increased levels of hormones but as long as there is no pregnancy, they typically return to their normal size after menstruation.

Most women see their breasts done growing in their early 20s however, some doctors don’t consider breasts fully developed until a woman has given birth and produce milk. Pregnancy plays a different part with every woman as some experience a big difference in size and some women see little change.

While most women have the same size breasts most of their adult life, there is a chance breast size could change with menopause. The drop in hormones and shrinkage of mammary glands can leave breasts less dense or shapely and may even decrease in size.

So, while there is no definite answer when it comes to breast development, there are some generalizations you can make to determine what your final breast size will be. Of course, if you’re looking for larger, fuller, perkier or smaller breasts, Dr. Bernacki is here to get you the results you’re looking for. Schedule your consultation today or check out our Before and After Gallery!