(NSFW) Am I too old for this type of "growth spurt?"?

Please don’t suggest that I see my doctor. I know that is the safest “go-to” answer for questions like this, but unless this is a potential warning sign for something life threatening, I’m just going to be honest and say it’s highly unlikely I’m going to call my doctor.

I didn’t even grow until I was 35. I went from an A cup to a C cup in just a few months. I don’t think it is unusual to start growing later in life. I have asked a few of my friends and they have said the same thing.

@chyna I’m already busty to begin with, though. I had no idea it was possible to “develop” after your teens.
Oh my gosh, please don’t let me grow two cup sizes.

It was a discussion at the dinner table one year at Christmas. Oldest brother says “When did Chyna get boobs?” Youngest brother says “I know, they are huge.” I say “Hello, I can hear you and it’s Christmas dinner, can we not talk about boobs?”

I was always flat chested. At around 50 I started to grow again and now I’m a more average 36B. So, yes, you can start growing later. I think that’s responsible for ‘old lady sagging.’ I remember my grandmother saying, “My bosom is getting bigger! But it’s too late now.” Of course, from where I started, there’s still nothing much to sag.

@lillycoyote I don’t consider asking other people if they’ve heard of something similar and it was perfectly normal, or say “yes, this happened to me and it turned out I had breast cancer!” to be not worrying or seeking medical advice from the wrong people.
I don’t run to the doctor for every odd thing or ache or pain that ever pops up, I think I would drive myself crazy if I did.

“See your doctor” is the obvious response. I just don’t assume it’s necessary, nor do I think it’s foolish not to run to my doctor for everything.

@ANef_is_Enuf I was just kind of razzing you. You automatically, completely dismissed the answer I would have given you because I believe it is the responsible answer to give under these circumstances. I don’t go running to the doctor for every little thing either. I actually should go to the doctor more often than I do. But you ended your details with “Should I be worried?” The only way to know that is to see a medical professional. All the rest of any of us can say is “No, I don’t think you should be worried because the exact same thing happened to me.” or “I don’t know if you should be worried or not” or “I think only a doctor can tell you whether or not this is something you should be worried about.” What other choices do we have? I suppose, though, I could have chosen not to answer your question at all. I believe, in retrospect, that would have been the right choice.

Uhh….can I have this problem, please?? (as someone who has mostly no boobs!)

@lillycoyote I just don’t think it’s necessary. If this is an uncommonly known symptom of a serious issue, then, I would take that information and use it appropriately.. by seeing my doctor.

If one, or two, or fifteen other jellies say “nah, that’s normal.” I’m not going to be concerned unless something more bizarre starts happening.

This is a question of curiosity, not me looking for a cure or a treatment or a diagnosis. That is why I prefer not to be referred to my doctor. I see a huge difference between something that seems a little odd and, say, throwing up blood.

O.K. I’m out of here.

Breasts getting bigger is common as women get older. Look at 19 year olds compared to 30 year olds. Their bodies are different. I know women who wanted bigger breasts when they were young, and now in their 40’s they wish they did not have so much, a combination of breast growth and throw in a little weight gain. I usually don’t hear breast tenderness complaints except during puberty, pregnancy, and hormone replacement, but maybe it is normal for some people and I just don’t know it.

I always tell teens who want to augment their breasts that by 25 they will most likely be bigger.

Do you have any discharge from your nipples?

@JLeslie no, nothing like that. Everything else seems normal. I feel a-ok in every other way, nothing out of the ordinary. My boobs are just.. achy. It feels a lot like they do before my period, but, it hasn’t been limited to that time frame lately.

@ANef_is_Enuf If it doesn’t let up maybe consider getting a hormone test. Have you started any new meds? Even herbal pills of some sort? Any sort of hormonal creams, like for vaginal dryness?

Oh, have you started working out? Exercising? Doing more physical work? The tenderness could actually be the muscles in the chest wall, depending on where exactly you are feeling it.

@JLeslie nope, nope. Nothing different. I exercise, but nothing new. If it doesn’t let up.. or if I start bursting at the seams I’ll talk to my doctor about having my hormones checked. Thanks.

@ANef_is_Enuf I never have breast tenderness, except when I was in puberty and when I have been pregnant, so maybe as I have gotten a little larger I am less likely to have discomfort. Women complain about mammograms being painful, I don’t get what the big deal is. Since you do get tender with your cycle, maybe you are more likely to feel some tenderness with normal changes? Hopefully some more people will answer.

Have you increased your caffeine intake? Certain foods can cause me to have the acheness (how the heck do you spell that??) you describe. I am not a coffee drinker but I love coke and if I drink too much I will get the pain. I have a friend who cannot eat chocolate. Also when I was younger, cyclical mastitis would cause the same feeling you describe.

@rooeytoo ohh, I have been drinking a lot of coffee, actually. I wonder.

Caffeine is a great guess.