Virginal breast hypertrophy

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Virginal breast hypertrophy (VBH) is a rare medical condition which causes excessive growth of the breasts during puberty.

The condition is caused by over-sensitivity to the female hormones, estrogen, and progesterone. The symptoms of VBH are hypertrophy (enlargement) of the breasts. VBH always starts at puberty, soon after the girl's first menstrual period.

Some doctors suggest that breast development (telarche) occurs before menstrual onset (menarche).^[1]

The degree of hypertrophy varies from woman to woman. In severe cases it is possible for women to have breasts that weigh well in excess of 20 lb. each. The heaviest breast was 67 lb. in a medical investigation.

With VBH, enlargement of the nipples usually also occurs, and the nipples can grow to an enormous size. In very severe cases of VBH, hypertrophy of the clitoris can also occur.

The excessive size and weight of the breasts can cause and be associated with other problems. It is common for women to complain of headaches, neck pain, upper and lower back pain, and numbness or tingling in the fingers. Because of the weight of the breasts, bra straps can cause indentation or grooving in the shoulders that can leave permanent scars from chronic irritation. Severe rashes beneath the breasts are common, particularly during periods of warm weather.

The breast growth is not constant and comes in "growth spurts". At times, women with VBH may have minimal or no breast growth and then experience a growth spurt where the breasts grow very rapidly in a short space of time. These growth spurts cause great physical discomfort, the main symptoms being red, itchy skin and sometimes a general ache in the breasts.

There is currently no medical cure for the condition other than breast reduction surgery.