17-04-2018, 02:08 PM
Hi, new here J
I’ve been reading the messages on this board for a couple of weeks and it’s comforting to know we’re all together in this frustration and determination! I’ve always been small-breasted but for the past few years have been convinced that I’m underdeveloped due to a hormonal imbalance – I also have acne that started when I was 11/12 and still persists now at 27. I am so fed up of both having a face full of acne and the chest of a teenager – I feel like I’m stuck in puberty and it really affects my confidence and self-esteem, as I’m sure lots on here can relate to. It affects my relationships and it’s just frustrating more than anything because I know if I can just find the answer to this imbalance I could have a clear skin and a normal-sized chest. The most frustrating thing is that a couple of years ago when I was off the pill my breasts actually grew to a C cup for 6 months and then deflated again! L My skin was also clear during this time! I’ve since tried coming off the pill again but nothing happened and my acne became too bad so I had to go back on. I’m now off again and it’s really getting me down trying to find a solution and not being able to. I’ve been reading so much about it and nothing seems to make sense. If anyone can shed light on any aspect I’d be so grateful!
Age: 27
Puberty: 9(!) this is when I developed breasts and pubic hair.. you can imagine my shock!
Period started: 11
Acne: Started at 11/12, I have oily skin in the morning and whiteheads which often turn into red bumps under the skin. I have rosacea so my nose and cheeks are always red. I have cystic acne on my chin (lumps under chin and scars) but I’ve also had it on my cheeks and nose.
Body shape: I’m petite and slim but not underweight. I have wide hips but a small frame around chest/ribcage/skinny arms etc. I don’t feel my hips/bum are in proportion with my upper half, though it’s not really noticeable as I’m slim. If it makes any difference I’m 5 ft 5 ½ and about 8 stone (fluctuates from 8 stone 2 to 8 stone 6). Breasts are in Tanner Stage 4 with no separate mound under the nipple and large, puffy pink nipples. I feel they have a good frame but just aren’t filled out/no fat, especially on top. They are slightly triangular but not tuberous. Bit of a ski slope at the top of the breast.
Cycle: When not on the pill, my acne clears during my period and flares up around ovulation. Once I’ve ovulated it calms down. It gets bad the few days leading up to my period and then clears and is the best all month during my period. When my breasts grew the other year, I had terrible period pain/cramps that I’d never had before. This lasted a few months while my breasts were bigger and then went away when they shrunk or when I went back on the pill. This makes me suspect ED?
Other hormonal factors: I don’t have hirsutism but I do get dark hairs around my nipples. I have acne and oily skin/whiteheads. I don’t carry any fat around my stomach or abdomen. Starting puberty so early (developing early then stopping). Currently I have high cortisol as well as high prolactin. My testosterone reading off the pill was 1 (I assume normal?). I have been tested for PCOS and been told I don’t have it. Can high prolactin and high cortisol stunt growth or shrink breasts to this extent?
Hormonal testing/info: I paid for some private blood tests for estrogen and progesterone which have been normal, though they were tested on the same day and I was told that it didn’t matter where in my cycle I was... So they may not be right. My last progesterone test was low but I was having a withdrawal bleed at the time so I can’t say as to its accuracy (though I had acne and deflated breasts at the time so thought it may still highlight something). When on Vitex I had clearer skin but no growth. I also got headaches around ovulation which is a sign of ED, but it makes no sense if Vitex boosts progesterone?
Current Programme: (tell me if this is overloading my body with too much! I may not take them all every day)
PM – 500mg x1 (not sure about this due to ED symptoms but tests have been normal, though possibly not accurate. However, combined BCPs have helped slightly with skin and growth in the past but only slightly or short term)
MSM capsules – 750mg x2 with orange juice (been taking for nearly two weeks but no change so far)
Maca root capsules 2500mg (I bought the powder but the taste made me retch!) – for hormonal balance, slightly worried about getting a huge bum! I will probably just start off with just one a day as 2500mg seems a lot! But I don’t know, any advice?
Ashwaghanda – mainly for depression/anxiety and lowering stress/cortisol levels in case it helps
Massage: with Nip/Bust Fix cream. I just do circular motions mainly and pinching etc before bed but I’m going to look into proper methods.
On odd days I add in: (for my skin mainly)
Multivitamin tablet
Zinc tablet
I’ve thought about taking Agnus Castus (Vitex) again even though it did nothing for my boobs because my face is in such a state L Is it too much to add this in as well? I’ve ordered a natural progesterone cream online too but it still hasn’t arrived from the US. Should I add a protein shake?
I’m really sorry this is so long and or not laid out well, but I’m so upset about this and just reaching out to fellow sufferers in case anyone can spot any signs of what imbalance I may have or anything that may help me or changes to my programme – thanks so much J I’m glad to be finally posting here and joining in!
Beth x
I’ve been reading the messages on this board for a couple of weeks and it’s comforting to know we’re all together in this frustration and determination! I’ve always been small-breasted but for the past few years have been convinced that I’m underdeveloped due to a hormonal imbalance – I also have acne that started when I was 11/12 and still persists now at 27. I am so fed up of both having a face full of acne and the chest of a teenager – I feel like I’m stuck in puberty and it really affects my confidence and self-esteem, as I’m sure lots on here can relate to. It affects my relationships and it’s just frustrating more than anything because I know if I can just find the answer to this imbalance I could have a clear skin and a normal-sized chest. The most frustrating thing is that a couple of years ago when I was off the pill my breasts actually grew to a C cup for 6 months and then deflated again! L My skin was also clear during this time! I’ve since tried coming off the pill again but nothing happened and my acne became too bad so I had to go back on. I’m now off again and it’s really getting me down trying to find a solution and not being able to. I’ve been reading so much about it and nothing seems to make sense. If anyone can shed light on any aspect I’d be so grateful!
Age: 27
Puberty: 9(!) this is when I developed breasts and pubic hair.. you can imagine my shock!
Period started: 11
Acne: Started at 11/12, I have oily skin in the morning and whiteheads which often turn into red bumps under the skin. I have rosacea so my nose and cheeks are always red. I have cystic acne on my chin (lumps under chin and scars) but I’ve also had it on my cheeks and nose.
Body shape: I’m petite and slim but not underweight. I have wide hips but a small frame around chest/ribcage/skinny arms etc. I don’t feel my hips/bum are in proportion with my upper half, though it’s not really noticeable as I’m slim. If it makes any difference I’m 5 ft 5 ½ and about 8 stone (fluctuates from 8 stone 2 to 8 stone 6). Breasts are in Tanner Stage 4 with no separate mound under the nipple and large, puffy pink nipples. I feel they have a good frame but just aren’t filled out/no fat, especially on top. They are slightly triangular but not tuberous. Bit of a ski slope at the top of the breast.
Cycle: When not on the pill, my acne clears during my period and flares up around ovulation. Once I’ve ovulated it calms down. It gets bad the few days leading up to my period and then clears and is the best all month during my period. When my breasts grew the other year, I had terrible period pain/cramps that I’d never had before. This lasted a few months while my breasts were bigger and then went away when they shrunk or when I went back on the pill. This makes me suspect ED?
Other hormonal factors: I don’t have hirsutism but I do get dark hairs around my nipples. I have acne and oily skin/whiteheads. I don’t carry any fat around my stomach or abdomen. Starting puberty so early (developing early then stopping). Currently I have high cortisol as well as high prolactin. My testosterone reading off the pill was 1 (I assume normal?). I have been tested for PCOS and been told I don’t have it. Can high prolactin and high cortisol stunt growth or shrink breasts to this extent?
Hormonal testing/info: I paid for some private blood tests for estrogen and progesterone which have been normal, though they were tested on the same day and I was told that it didn’t matter where in my cycle I was... So they may not be right. My last progesterone test was low but I was having a withdrawal bleed at the time so I can’t say as to its accuracy (though I had acne and deflated breasts at the time so thought it may still highlight something). When on Vitex I had clearer skin but no growth. I also got headaches around ovulation which is a sign of ED, but it makes no sense if Vitex boosts progesterone?
Current Programme: (tell me if this is overloading my body with too much! I may not take them all every day)
PM – 500mg x1 (not sure about this due to ED symptoms but tests have been normal, though possibly not accurate. However, combined BCPs have helped slightly with skin and growth in the past but only slightly or short term)
MSM capsules – 750mg x2 with orange juice (been taking for nearly two weeks but no change so far)
Maca root capsules 2500mg (I bought the powder but the taste made me retch!) – for hormonal balance, slightly worried about getting a huge bum! I will probably just start off with just one a day as 2500mg seems a lot! But I don’t know, any advice?
Ashwaghanda – mainly for depression/anxiety and lowering stress/cortisol levels in case it helps
Massage: with Nip/Bust Fix cream. I just do circular motions mainly and pinching etc before bed but I’m going to look into proper methods.
On odd days I add in: (for my skin mainly)
Multivitamin tablet
Zinc tablet
I’ve thought about taking Agnus Castus (Vitex) again even though it did nothing for my boobs because my face is in such a state L Is it too much to add this in as well? I’ve ordered a natural progesterone cream online too but it still hasn’t arrived from the US. Should I add a protein shake?
I’m really sorry this is so long and or not laid out well, but I’m so upset about this and just reaching out to fellow sufferers in case anyone can spot any signs of what imbalance I may have or anything that may help me or changes to my programme – thanks so much J I’m glad to be finally posting here and joining in!
Beth x