Enlarged breasts are not only caused by puberty. This condition can also be caused bycertain medical conditions. Recognize the differences and symptomshis, so that the breasts enlarge caused byabnormality in this organcan be detected by early.
Some normal conditions that can cause enlarged breasts are puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, use of birth control pills, and consumption of foods high in salt or caffeine.
In addition, enlarged breasts can also be caused by abnormal conditions, such as breast abscess, fibroadenoma, or breast cancer. If this is the case, breast enlargement needs to get a doctor's examination.
Causes of Enlarged Breasts that Need to be Watched
Enlarged breasts due to disease need to be watched out for. Although not all of them are dangerous, abnormal breast enlargement should still get an examination from a doctor. Some diseases that can cause enlarged breasts are:
1. Fibrocystic breasts
A lump in the breast can be a sign of fibrocystic disease of the breast. These lumps are not cancerous and affect more than 50% of women. Although not dangerous, this condition can be annoying because the lump can enlarge and be painful before menstruation and during menstruation.
2. Fibroadenoma
Fibroadenoma is a lump or tumor in the breast that is not cancerous. Fibroadenoma is generally experienced by women aged 20-50 years and is rarely experienced by women who have passed menopause. Although harmless, fibroadenomas still require further treatment, usually with surgery.
3. Breast abscess
Enlarged breasts can be caused by the formation of an abscess or collection of pus under the skin of the breast. This condition is generally caused by a bacterial infection.
A breast abscess can make the breast skin red, warm, and swollen. Patients with breast abscesses can also experience fever. The pus in this abscess needs to be drained. The doctor will suction it with a needle or make an incision in the abscess to drain the pus.
4. Breast infection
Breast infection or mastitis is a condition that is quite often experienced by breastfeeding mothers. This disease occurs when bacteria enter the breast through a sore on the nipple. This infection causes breast swelling and pain. Enlarged breasts due to infection are generally treated with antibiotics.
5. Breast cancer
The presence of a lump in the breast accompanied by discharge from the nipple even though you are not breastfeeding, the nipple is pulled inward, the skin becomes sunken or changes color can be a sign of breast cancer.
This condition needs to be confirmed by an examination from a doctor, namely by ultrasound, mammogram, and biopsy. So that breast cancer is not too late to be known and treated, women need to carry out early detection of breast cancer on a regular basis.
Not only women's breasts, men's breasts can also be enlarged. This condition is called gynecomastia. Gynecomastia is caused by changes in the hormones estrogen and testosterone that usually occur during puberty. In addition, gynecomastia can also be caused by hyperthyroidism, cirrhosis, and side effects of drugs.
Indeed, not all lumps or breast enlargement are dangerous, but you need to immediately see a doctor if breast enlargement occurs outside of the menstrual period, does not improve, or is accompanied by the symptoms mentioned above.