Wanting to increase breast size is a fairly common concern, but you need to be careful about taking supplements or medications that are marketed as breast growth solutions. Many supplements and over-the-counter medications are promoted as hormones for breast growth, but are these products safe and effective?
Read this article to find out whether it’s safe to take hormones for breast growth, and more.
How do hormones affect breast growth?
Breast development is a normal part of life for girls and women, and hormones play a very important role in this process. According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the first signs of breast growth happen when estradiol is released by the ovaries. Estradiol is the body’s natural form of estrogen.
These changes often happen simultaneously with the appearance of pubic and armpit hair, and they continue during a girl’s puberty and adolescence.
Does estrogen increase breast size?
Breast growth can happen as a side effect of some medications that contain estrogen, such as birth control pills. However, these medications aren’t prescribed solely for this purpose, and you shouldn’t self-medicate with hormonal medications.
According to the Mayo Clinic, unregulated natural and herbal remedies are often promoted for breast enhancement. These include plant-derived substances known as phytoestrogens, but the truth is that there isn’t any solid scientific evidence to support the use of phytoestrogens for breast growth.
Can I take estrogen to increase breast size?
According to Western New York Urology Associates, taking estrogen pills to make breasts grow isn’t safe or medically approved.
Although many over-the-counter supplements are marketed as hormones for breast growth, these substances haven’t been approved for this use and in many cases, they aren’t regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or other authorities.
It’s also important to keep in mind that in addition to being ineffective, these supplements could still have negative side effects or interact with other medications you’re taking. Many alleged breast growth supplements contain saw palmetto and wild yam, among other substances. These supplements can interact with many medications, especially blood thinners.
Is progesterone cream used for breast enhancement?
Progesterone creams are sometimes used as part of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) for menopausal or transgender women. Although progesterone can also affect breast growth, there’s no evidence to support claims that progesterone creams can increase breast size.
According to the National Center for Health Research, no breast enhancement product has been proven to work. Even if someone tells you that they experienced breast growth from one of these treatments, there are many factors that could play a role: weight gain, self-perception, or fluctuating hormone levels.
Hormonal medications can cause a wide range of side effects, and they’re not appropriate for everyone — especially if you have a personal or family history of certain disorders or types of cancer. You should always seek medical advice before starting a new medication or supplement.
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Sources
Normal Breast Development and Changes - hopkinsmedicine.org
Do breast enhancement supplements work? - mayoclinic.org
Breast Enhancement - wnyurology.com
Will Pills or Creams Increase Breast Size? - center4research.org