Um...lumpy-ness.

[quitemercurial.livejournal.com]

A little over a year ago, when I had an annual exam, it seemed my breasts were lumpy but normal. My last annual was about a month ago, and the lady examining me at PlannedParenthood didn't say anything about my breasts. But, I don't think my breasts were all that lumpy then.

I restarted birth control last month, so I'm not sure if that could help make them lumpy...and my period week is supposed to start tomorrow. I only brought this up because I noticed while showering that my left breast seems different from my right. The left one is overall somewhat bigger than my right, and there is an area (around the sides and bottom of the nipple) that feels like it's filled with fluid or ... something. I don't know how to explain it much better than that. It hurts if pressure's put on it. There is also another bit above the nipple, in one "corner" (top right if you're looking at me, top left when I look down) that's hard, though it's not pea- or marble-sized; nothing is noticeable if just looking. My right breast has some of that fluid-y feeling in comparable areas, and there is another hard spot that kind of matches the left's hard spot, but my right one doesn't feel pain even with pressure applied, and its hard spot is softer than the left's.

Am I splitting hairs? Are they generally symmetrical? Do I have anything I should worry about, or are they just ... lumpy again?

If it helps any, I'm 19, was off OTC from November 2007 to last month, and have had one aunt that died from breast cancer (though no one else has had any cancer on either side of my family).

Comments

[nova-lies.livejournal.com]

I can't really help with the lumpyness, but I do think it's fairly common for your breasts to not be the same size. Sorry I can't help with more.

[quitemercurial.livejournal.com]

I figured; I just thought I'd mention it in case anyone wanted to know in relation to the lumpyness. Thanks for the comment. :]

[odetta-to-detta.livejournal.com]

It could be fibrocystic breast disease (http://www.lef.org/protocols/prtcl-145.shtml), which are non-cancerous. Are the lumps kind of oblong/oval shaped? When I was concerned with my breasts having lumps in them that hurt a bit and brought it up with my doctor, she felt them, said they were rather "crunchy" feeling, and explained to me about FBD, and also said that most lumps that are oval shaped tend to be benign.

That said, to be absolutely sure, you should maybe make another appointment with your doc, and actually point out that you're concerned with your breasts. Doctors don't notice every little thing, though they do their best, so it helps both of you to bring it up :)

[quitemercurial.livejournal.com]

Last year, I was told I had fibrocystic breasts, and the lumps tended to disappear or lessen during my period.

Hmm. I'd say the fluid-feeling part could be mapped out (lol, weird comparison, yes) as three oblong shapes, and the hardness feels to be an indefinite shape, but that hardness isn't really a lump, so.

I might, but maybe after my period. Someone suggested doing a breast self-exam afterwards, which I figure is because the lumps and all other feelings might go away (if only temporarily/in cycles). Hopefully my period comes during the period week (i.e. starting tomorrow) the OTC has planned because, without BCP, my period would actually be coming in one or two weeks' time.

[slobbergal.livejournal.com]

I get lumps too. I mentioned it to my doctor during an annual and was sent for a sonogram to check the lumps and was told it was non cancerous. Most lumps are. But if you wanna know just bring it up to your doctor.

[quitemercurial.livejournal.com]

Oh, that's good to know. Thanks.

[o0ataraxia0o.livejournal.com]

When doing a breast self-exam it's best to do it right after your period (or withdrawal bleed, what have you). Could the hard spots you're feeing on both sides actually be the bone underneath? Since your left breast is larger than your right, perhaps it is retaining more fluid and is therefor more sensitive? Just a random theory.
A lot of little lumpy things in the breast can be totally normal and harmless, but it would certainly be worthwhile to have a doc take a feel (especially if you're concerned). Have them show you how to do the exam and then keep up with it every month after your period so you have a good idea if anything changes.

[quitemercurial.livejournal.com]

Oh, okay. Thanks for the tip. I'll do that. :]

Hmm...I don't think they're that hard. It's some kind of texture, so I'm guessing it's tissue. Sadly, I don't know as much as I could about breasts in general, so I have no idea what specific tissue I'm feeling...but yeah, the hardness is hard, but it's definitely not bone hard.

Your random theory makes sense to me. I was mainly concerned about the fact that my left breast was actually feeling pain with a little pressure, while my right breast felt no pain even with stronger pressure. I guess the left one's just being sensitive? I also have felt a bit of dull pain on/off in my left armpit area, so maybe I also messed up a muscle and/or tendon while I was at it.

I was thinking about that as I was at work. :] I might do the self-exam weekly if only to know my body better and feel out what is normal and what is not.

[jessalyn.livejournal.com]

I brought up lumpyness to my doctor and he told me "They are nothing to worry about." I guess he's been doing it for so long he knows the type of lumps to feel for... I certainly do not, but I've had the lumps for quite awhile so now I've not really worried about them an accepted that I have lumpy boobies =p

Also, my breasts are slightly not the same size. Bodies are not perfect :)

[lacrimaeveneris.livejournal.com]

Bodies are not perfect

I beg to differ! Just 'cause they aren't symmetrical doesn't make them not perfect! :)

(Note: I'm not yelling at you at all, just so you know. ^_^)

[jessalyn.livejournal.com]

I'm looking at more of a scientific stand point.

[lacrimaeveneris.livejournal.com]

Ah, then very true.

Sorry, I think I got a little VP-happy or something.

[quitemercurial.livejournal.com]

Don't have to be sorry. I found your comment nice, and it made me smile. :] So thanks.

[quitemercurial.livejournal.com]

I like your icon. XD

Yeah, I've been told not to worry about it before...I'm not sure why the lumpyness stood out to me now, though. It may be that I didn't notice it last month or something. :/ I guess I noticed because my left breast is sensitive today? It might be fibrocystic-ness, which I've dealt with before.

This is true. I just thought I'd mention it in case that tidbit of information were important to anyone. Plus, the size difference isn't all that noticeable, so. (I'm relieved the breasts fit in the same bra.)

[malonwic.livejournal.com]

I did this too. I was worried about my newly developed lumpiness -- though I'm not sure how new they were since I keep forgetting to boob check every month -- because breast cancer runs in the family, and she just told me I "have naturally lumpy boobs".

Then I named them Lumpy, and Less Lumpy. :)

[quitemercurial.livejournal.com]

So one of yours tends to be lumpier than the other? My left one seems to be more, perhaps because it's a bit bigger.

[nz-taniwha.livejournal.com]

I have very lumpy breasts, according to my doctor. That's just me, and that's the way it is.
Might be worth going to the doc for a check though, to put the worries from your mind.

I went to the doc last year because I had a discharge coming from my left nipple, which I knew wasn't normal...my doc felt my breasts and said they were very lumpy, but that in itself wasn't anything to worry about. I had an ultrasound to try to identify whatever was causing the discharge, and there were so many lumps in my breasts that the ultrasound nurse stopped noting them down after a while! But she said they were just lumps of fluid, and came up as solid black on the ultrasound, so nothing to worry about.

So it's very likely that lumpy breasts are just the way you are, and nothing to be concerned with. If there's anything else, though, that is of concern, like redness around the nipple or discharge, or a specific small spot which is very hard, then get thee to a doctor right away. But you're very young to have anything seriously wrong with your breasts (I'm sure it's possible, just not likely) so if you go for a check you can stop worrying :-)

[nz-taniwha.livejournal.com]

Oh, my discharge? The doctors have diagnosed this http://www.umm.edu/imagepages/17077.htm

I'm having it removed on April 21. Eeeep!....

[quitemercurial.livejournal.com]

That...looks kind of gnarly. DX

Oh, that's getting fairly close. I wish you the best!

[nz-taniwha.livejournal.com]

Thanks :-) I've never had any health issues before so in a way, as it seems a fairly routine sort of operation, it's kind of exciting and interesting!

[quitemercurial.livejournal.com]

I think I read elsewhere in this comm that many women under the age of 30 tend to have lumpy breasts.

I actually feel like these comments gave me peace, haha. Granted, I will at least do a self-exam after my period (maybe also during, just to gain body knowledge) and see if my breasts have changed any. Since I've had fibrocystic breasts before, that might be what I have now. If I'm still worried for whatever reasons, of course, I'll go to a gyno ASAP.

You're probably right; I've just been known to be a little too paranoid about my health. On top of my age, I'm vegetarian, so I'm on a naturally low-fat diet. My job also gives me plenty of exercise in the form of walking and going up/down stairs every hour of my 8-hour shifts. I've always been in fairly good health and have no real family history of, well, anything, so I probably shouldn't be extremely worried...I just like to get other opinions and experiences to doublecheck and make sure I'm not putting myself in any kind of danger, you know?

Thank you for everything in your comment. :]