Breasts
Hear this word Breasts
Also known as: Boobs or boobies, jugs, tits or titties, tatas, hooters, bosom, milkers
Image description: A person's chest from below the neck to the waist.
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What Is It?
Breasts are the glands on the chest. Breasts have nipples and darker circular areas called areolas.
Breasts come in all different sizes. For people assigned female at birth, their breasts may begin to grow during puberty.
Some people’s breasts can produce milk to feed a baby after it is born. This milk comes out of small tubes in the nipple called ducts.
For some people, it feels good when their breasts or nipples are touched during sexual activities.
An Example
Nala is 14 and is going through puberty. Nala notices that their breasts are growing. Nala feels some discomfort in their breasts when they are running or playing sports. Nala talks to an adult they trust about what could be done. Together they talk about options like wearing a sports bra. Nala thinks a sports bra will help to feel more comfortable when playing sports.
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- A health care provider can teach you how to do a breast self-exam. This is a procedure to check for changes in the breast area or for lumps that are not supposed to be there. These checks help people to become more familiar with their breasts and to learn what is normal for them.
- Health care providers usually do a breast exam for patients as part of a regular check up to check for anything serious such as cancer.
- If you notice any changes in your breast that concern you, including lumps or changes in how the skin looks, make sure to see a health care provider immediately so they can check for anything serious.
- Breasts come in all different sizes and that is okay! Breasts usually finish growing around age 20, and it’s common for one breast to be slightly larger than the other.
- Breasts may naturally change a little bit around a person’s menstrual period. Some people’s breasts increase in size or feel a bit sore or sensitive right before their period. After their period, the size and feeling of their breasts returns to normal.
Think about
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What have you learned about breasts?
- Breasts are a natural part of the human body.
- Breasts come in different shapes and sizes and this is natural.
- People can do breast exams to learn what feels typical for their breast. A health care provider may all do a breast exam during a health care appointment such as a yearly checkup.
What questions do you have about breasts?
To learn more about breasts or other parts of the body, visit the Resource Hub or explore other parts of Your Sexual Health Toolkit.
Write down or record an audio note with any questions you have to ask someone you trust.