VBH, or virginal breast hypertrophy, is a rare condition where the breasts grow at an abnormally rapid rate. The condition also goes by a more general term, juvenile macromastia or juvenile gigantomastia. With VBH, the breasts grow to an abnormally large size, sometimes as large as 20 lbs. each.
Cause
There are two hormones responsible for breast growth in puberty, estrogen and progesterone. Estrogen controls the growth of the ducts and progesterone controls the growth of the glandular buds. In a woman with VBH, the body over responds to the hormone stimulation and the breast grow to an abnormally large size.
Symptoms
The most obvious symptom of VBH is the abnormal size and growth pattern of the breasts accompanied by red, itchy lesions and pain. While each woman's body varies, and the growth rate for the breasts varies, girls with VBH generally develop abnormally fast breast growth shortly after their first menstrual period. Some women may experience steady breast growth and the breasts may reach an unusual size over several years. Others may experience sudden growth spurts, causing severe physical discomfort. Estrogen also controls growth of the clitoris and nipples and VBH may cause abnormal growth of these tissues as well.
Effects
VBH causes a number of unpleasant health problems, all related to the size and weight of the breasts. The abnormally large size and weight of the breasts puts strain on the neck and shoulders causing chronic back and neck pain and headaches. Pressure from heavy bra straps can compress nerves in the brachial plexus, causing numbness in the arms and fingers. Sweat often becomes trapped in the folds of the breasts, causing rashes and irritation.
Treatment
VBH is linked to the natural release of hormones, and there is no known cure or method of prevention. The only effective treatment is breast reduction surgery to make the breasts proportional to the rest of the body. While breast reduction surgery is usually considered an elective cosmetic procedure, because VBH is a medical condition, it may be covered by some health insurance plans.
