No, touching breasts by a male does not directly cause them to grow bigger. This is a common misconception. While breasts may temporarily change size due to sexual arousal, this is not a result of being touched, but rather a physiological response to hormonal changes.
Understanding Breast Changes
Several factors can affect breast size and appearance:
- Hormonal Changes: Breast size is primarily determined by hormones, particularly estrogen. Fluctuations in hormone levels during puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause significantly impact breast size and shape. [Source: Numerous medical websites including Nemours, Mayo Clinic, and others cited in references.]
- Sexual Arousal: As noted in multiple sources (Quora, Nov 20, 2015, and others), breasts may experience temporary swelling and increased nipple erection during sexual arousal. This is a temporary change due to increased blood flow, not a permanent growth.
- Benign Breast Conditions: Conditions like fibrocystic breast changes can cause lumps and swelling that may be tender to the touch. [Source: Cancer Research UK] These changes are not caused by touch but are related to hormonal fluctuations and other underlying factors.
- Gynecomastia: In males, gynecomastia refers to the enlargement of breast tissue. This condition is not caused by touch but by hormonal imbalances or other medical factors. [Source: Cleveland Clinic, Breast Cancer Now, MedlinePlus]
- Breast Cancer (Rare in Males): While rare, breast cancer can occur in men. A lump or change in breast tissue should be evaluated by a medical professional. [Source: Mayo Clinic, Breastcancer.org, NHS inform]
It's crucial to distinguish between temporary changes due to arousal or benign conditions and permanent growth. Claims suggesting that physical manipulation increases breast size are inaccurate.
