Puberty breast pain feels like tenderness, soreness, itching, or a dull ache as small, firm lumps (breast buds) form under the nipples, often described as sensitive to the touch, itchy, or tight. It can be sharp, throbbing, or just uncomfortable, and often affects one breast more than the other initially, as the body starts growing and skin stretches.
Buds appear, and breast and nipple are raised. The dark area of skin around the nipple (the areola) gets larger. Breasts are slightly larger, with glandular breast tissue present. The areola and nipple become raised and form a second mound above the rest of the breast.
It affects most women at some time in their lives. The degree of soreness, and where and how it is felt, differs for each woman. It might be sharp, stabbing, dull, throbbing or aching. It might be felt in all or part of the breasts, one breast or both.
Normal Breast Buds with Onset of Puberty (age 8 or older)
Sometimes, they are even normal in 7 year olds. Importance: the entire breast develops from the breast bud, taking 2 or 3 years to completion. The first menstrual period (menarche) usually occurs 2 years after breast buds appear.
Hormonal fluctuations are the number one reason women have breast pain. Breasts become sore three to five days prior to the beginning of a menstrual period and stop hurting after it starts. This is due to a rise in estrogen and progesterone right before your period.
It can unevenly affect both breasts. Hormone replacement therapy can also be a cause of breast pain, either as the developing breasts begin to grow or as the hormone changes continue to shift.
Breast Conditions in Young Women
As your breast buds grow, you may notice tingling, aching or itching in your chest. Your nipples may swell or become tender. This is all normal. After your periods begin, the changing hormones may make your breasts feel tender, painful or sore a week or so before your period starts.
Generally, the first major signs of puberty are getting taller and the beginning of breast development. Rapid changes in a girl's height happen later. Pubic hair often appears next, followed by the beginning of menstrual periods, full breast maturity, and the release of eggs from the ovary every month (ovulation).
But their adrenal glands are maturing and their ovaries are growing. In Stage 2, physical changes begin. Between the ages of 8 and 13, girls typically experience: Budding breasts and enlargement of areolas (pigmented area around their nipple).
You should worry about breast pain if it's accompanied by a new lump, skin changes (dimpling, redness, rash), nipple changes (inversion, discharge, scaling), swelling, or pain that's severe, persistent (not linked to your cycle), or interferes with daily activities, as these can signal issues like infection, inflammation, or, rarely, cancer, warranting an immediate doctor visit.
The "three-finger test" for breasts refers to the technique used in a breast self-exam (BSE) where you use the pads of your three middle fingers (index, middle, ring) to feel for lumps or changes, applying light, medium, and firm pressure to cover all breast tissue and the armpit, moving in circular or vertical patterns to detect new lumps or thickening. This method, often done while lying down or showering, helps you become familiar with your normal breast texture, but it's a supplement to, not a replacement for, regular clinical exams and mammograms for early detection.
Typically, breast development begins around age 8 to 13, with the most rapid growth occurring during early adolescence. By the age of 15 to 17, most girls have reached their adult breast size, although some may continue to experience minor changes into their early twenties.
Pubic Hair: While breast development is the first physical change in most girls, around 15 percent of girls will experience pubic hair growth before breast budding. Pubic hair is coarse hair that grows in the genital area, covering the labia major and extending to the inner thighs.
During Puberty Girls Grow Fast and Early
Unlike boys, their fastest rate of growth occurs early in puberty. They also gain more fat than boys in preparation for their menstrual cycle. They go from gaining about 5 pounds a year before puberty, to 12-23 pounds during puberty as shown below.
How do you know when the first menstrual period will start?
Puberty is the body's natural process of sexual maturation. Puberty's trigger lies in a small part of the brain called the hypothalamus, a gland that secretes gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH).
The signs of puberty include:
Many young women experience pain as their breasts grow and this is nothing to worry about. Breasts develop as the hormones estrogen and progesterone are released at puberty. These hormones make the breast tissue grow. As it does, the surrounding skin may stretch, which is one reason breasts can hurt when they grow.
Armpit hair is self-explanatory. Any amount will do. At this point, a girl will probably start her periods within 3-6 months, if she hasn't already. It also occurs right after the growth spurt of adolescence.
Breast buds are small disc-shaped rubbery lumps felt under the nipple. They are always normal. Nothing else looks like them. Breast buds have no risk of turning into cancer.
Puberty. Breasts start to get bigger around the time puberty begins and often feel sore. Most females start puberty when they're 8–13 years old, and they typically start getting breasts around age 10 or 11. At first you might notice a small button-like lump beneath the nipple area.
Small breasts are usually due to genetics, hormones, and body fat, but can also be affected by weight loss, age (menopause), or pregnancy, with factors like clothing fit influencing appearance; if you have sudden changes or concerns, a doctor can rule out conditions like micromastia or hypothyroidism.
Buds appear, and breast and nipple are raised. The dark area of skin around the nipple (the areola) gets larger. Breasts are slightly larger, with glandular breast tissue present. The areola and nipple become raised and form a second mound above the rest of the breast.