Editing Breast (section)

=== Hormone replacement therapy ===
[[File:Transsexual HRT induced developed breasts.jpg|thumb|upright|A transgender woman with HRT-induced developed breasts.]]
[[Hormone replacement therapy]], including [[gender-affirming hormone therapy]], stimulates the growth of glandular and adipose tissue through estrogen supplementation.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=De |first1=Blok Christel |last2=Klaver |first2=Maartje |last3=Nota |first3=Nienke |last4=Dekker |first4=Marieke |last5=Den |first5=Heijer Martin |date=2016-05-13 |title=Breast development in male-to-female transgender patients after one year cross-sex hormonal treatment |url=https://www.endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/0041/ea0041gp146 |journal=Endocrine Abstracts |language=en |volume=41 |doi=10.1530/endoabs.41.GP146 |issn=1470-3947}}</ref>

In menopausal women, HRT helps restore breast volume and skin elasticity diminished by declining estrogen levels, typically using oral or transdermal estradiol.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Postmenopausal Hormone Therapy: An Endocrine Society Scientific Statement |date=2010 |pmc=6287288 |last1=Santen |first1=R. J. |last2=Allred |first2=D. C. |last3=Ardoin |first3=S. P. |last4=Archer |first4=D. F. |last5=Boyd |first5=N. |last6=Braunstein |first6=G. D. |last7=Burger |first7=H. G. |last8=Colditz |first8=G. A. |last9=Davis |first9=S. R. |last10=Gambacciani |first10=M. |last11=Gower |first11=B. A. |last12=Henderson |first12=V. W. |last13=Jarjour |first13=W. N. |last14=Karas |first14=R. H. |last15=Kleerekoper |first15=M. |last16=Lobo |first16=R. A. |last17=Manson |first17=J. E. |last18=Marsden |first18=J. |last19=Martin |first19=K. A. |last20=Martin |first20=L. |last21=Pinkerton |first21=J. V. |last22=Rubinow |first22=D. R. |last23=Teede |first23=H. |last24=Thiboutot |first24=D. M. |last25=Utian |first25=W. H. |author26=Endocrine Society |journal=The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism |volume=95 |issue=7 Suppl 1 |pages=s1–s66 |doi=10.1210/jc.2009-2509 |pmid=20566620 }}</ref>

In gender-affirming hormone therapy, breast development is induced through feminizing HRT, often combining estrogen with anti-androgens to suppress testosterone. Maximum growth is usually achieved after 2–3 years.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Information on Estrogen Hormone Therapy {{!}} Gender Affirming Health Program |url=https://transcare.ucsf.edu/article/information-estrogen-hormone-therapy |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=transcare.ucsf.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Practical Guidelines for Transgender Hormone Treatment {{!}} Endocrinology, Diabetes, Nutrition & Weight Management |url=https://www.bumc.bu.edu/endo/clinics/transgender-medicine/guidelines/ |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=www.bumc.bu.edu}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Transgender and Gender Diverse Hormone Therapy |url=https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/-/media/center-for-transgender-health/documents/tgd-gaht-quick-guide.ashx |website=hopkinsmedicine.org}}</ref>

Factors such as age, genetics, and hormone dosage influence outcomes.