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Date: | Thu, 9 Feb 2006 11:53:15 -0700 |
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Pam asks:
<What impact would being a gymnast as a young woman have on later milk
production capability? This mom did not have her first menstrual cycle
until late
in her 15th year, and then they were always irregular and sometimes only
came
every few months and did not last long. She used to bind her breasts tight
to appear to have none. They were not that large to begin with. During
her
pregnancy, she did not need a larger cup size, though they did appear a bit
larger and her areola darkened. )
Secondary buds sprouting during fetal life are "attracted to invade" the
special mesenchymal fat pad in the underlying connective tissue, and even
develop a very small amount of glandular tissue (as shown by some babies
secreting "witches milk" after birth.)
If there were a smaller number of secondary buds, or if an insufficient fat
pad in the connective tissue were present during fetal life, it is my
understanding that this could lead to insufficient framework on which to
sprout further glandular tissue in puberty, when the hormonal changes with
each menstrual period, contribute to the continued development of the
glandular tissue. So if there were fewer menstrual cycles, (possibly
stemming from the changes that many female athletes experience due to
abundant exercise) this probably indicated a lesser stimulus during puberty
to develop the glandular tissue at a normal rate.
I do not know what effect that binding the breasts may or may not have had,
other than possibly restricting the circulation somewhat.
I am away from my references. Look for Russo, JH and Russo I. They are the
authors of many excellent articles on the ongoing development of breast
tissue and the varying amounts of which tissues the breast contains during
various stages in life. Google "Breast anatomy Russo" to find some of them.
(In the process I learned there is also a famous young Italian pianist by
the name of Irene Russo!)
Jean
**************
K. Jean Cotterman RNC, IBCLC
Dayton, OH USA
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