Although breast size seems to be predetermined, there are many factors that can affect breast size.
Fluctuations in your monthly cycle aren't the only reason why your breasts grow and shrink, hurt or have other strange symptoms.
Many of the changes are related to hormone levels, but your breast size can also be affected by coffee consumption, weight changes, diet and physical activity.
We can say that your breasts can tell a lot about what is happening in your body and about your health.
What factors really affect breast size?Let's figure it out.
1. Genetics
While genetics isn't a death sentence, it certainly plays a big role in the size of your breasts.
Breast size is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Some people are predisposed to large breasts.In addition, if we gain weight, our breasts also grow.
Genes determine the basic parameters of the breast, but not the actual size.
For example, genetic predisposition affects the sagging, volume and shape of the breast.But breast size can change throughout life.
This doesn't mean that just because your mom and sister were a size 3, you will necessarily be the same size.However, the probability is much higher than for a woman born in a family where there were mainly the first breast sizes.
2. Education
In general, you are unlikely to notice any changes in your breasts, even if you do vigorous physical activity by lifting weights.The point is that the mammary gland sits on top of the pectoral muscle, without being part of it.
Many people believe that you can endlessly pump the muscles located under the chest and this will not affect its shape and size in any way.
Although the exercises themselves do not enlarge the breasts, training the pectoral muscles can create the illusion of larger, firmer breasts.
Push-ups, bench press, chest flies are the main exercises that strengthen the pectoral muscles.
- Do 3 sets of 20 push-ups at the beginning and the same number at the end of the workout.Use this complex at least 3 times a week.
- Chest flies are another useful chest exercise.Take dumbbells (or water bottles) in your hands, sit on a bench with a slight incline, keep your feet on the floor.Extend your arms out to the sides (arms should be slightly bent) at chest height, then bring them back.Do 3 sets of 15 reps three times a week.
3. Intimacy
The pleasure we experience during intimacy also temporarily increases breast size.
When we are excited, our heart rate increases, which increases blood flow to various parts of our body, including the chest.This makes the breasts appear fuller and larger, although this effect is fleeting and can vary between women from barely noticeable to more noticeable.
In any case, you should not expect much from physical intimacy alone.Once you are back on track, your breasts will also return to their normal size.
4. Phytoestrogen products
.png)
Experts say that certain foods have the ability to affect a woman's breast size.
During the transition period, the level of the hormone estrogen in girls increases, which leads to breast development.At the end of the transition period, the hormone levels normalize and the breasts remain almost the same size for life.
Since the hormone estrogen promotes breast growth, products containing an estrogen analog, when ingested, can also affect breast size.
Phytoestrogens are plant-derived chemicals that attach to estrogen receptors in cells and behave like this hormone.
Phytoestrogens include: tofu, green soybeans, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and flaxseed.Carrots and beets also contain phytoestrogens, but it is recommended that they be consumed in moderation, as the side effects of eating large amounts of foods rich in phytoestrogens are not yet fully known.
5. Your weight
Breasts are made up of supporting tissue, mammary glands, and ducts, and the percentage of each varies from woman to woman.
For example, some women have more supportive tissue than fat and vice versa.If your breasts contain a decent amount of fat, you will notice changes in your breast size as you lose or gain weight.
Most likely, the difference will be insignificant if you lose or gain a few pounds, but it will become more noticeable with large fluctuations in weight.
6. Phases of the menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle can be roughly divided into two halves: from the first day of menstruation and before ovulation - the follicular phase and after ovulation - the luteal phase.
.png)
During the follicular phase, especially on the 5th - 7th day after the onset of menstruation, low levels of estrogen and progesterone are observed and breast volume is the smallest.Since your breasts aren't as affected by hormones during this time, this is the most accurate indicator of how your breasts really are.
As hormone levels rise during ovulation, blood flow to the breasts increases and they become fuller, rounder and more sensitive.
In a study of more than 200 premenopausal women who had mammograms, breast density and size were greater during the luteal phase of the cycle.
If you notice anything unusual about your breasts, watch out for changes at different points in your cycle, as it may simply be due to hormone fluctuations.If the condition persists, consult a doctor.
7. Spider bites
It is unknown why, but for some reason spiders like breasts.Some spider bites can cause inflammation, which can make a woman think she has breast cancer.
In fact, it is most likely a reaction to a spider bite, which can be reduced with antihistamines and anti-inflammatory medications.In any case, if you suspect a spider bite, you should consult a doctor.
Breast cancer does not appear overnight, so if you suddenly notice redness, swelling and inflammation, it could be an insect bite.
8. Lavender oil
Lavender oil, which is often added to soaps, shampoos and laundry detergents, may cause abnormal breast growth, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
For example, in girls with premature breast development before age 8, symptoms of breast development stopped after they stopped using products containing lavender oil.
Lavender oil and tea tree oil are known to mimic the properties of estrogen and block testosterone.Scientists believe that these essential oils have anti-androgenic properties, which explains breast development.
9. Pregnancy and lactation
.png)
During pregnancy, your breasts also undergo changes that prepare your body to nurse your baby.The blood vessels, ducts and lobules involved in milk production dilate and grow.This process leads to more tenderness, weight and increase in breast size.You may also notice that your areolas and nipples are getting bigger.
A pregnant woman's breasts can grow several sizes due to hormonal changes and even more during breastfeeding.
Immediately after childbirth, the level of the hormone prolactin increases in a woman's body, due to which the breasts begin to produce milk and swell even more.As a rule, the breasts return to their normal size 3-6 months after the end of breastfeeding.
If a woman has many children, the effect may be more significant and the size and shape of the breasts will be different after numerous deliveries and breastfeeding.
10. Contraception
Birth control not only prevents pregnancy, it also helps regulate your menstrual cycle.Hormonal methods such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices can, in fact, affect breast size.
When oral contraceptives first came out, the estrogen content in them was very high, so women's breasts became significantly larger.
Modern products contain only one-fifth of the hormones that were originally there, so the effect is not as noticeable.However, it is completely normal if you notice a slight enlargement of your breasts when you first start using hormone treatments.This is mainly due to the fact that estrogen leads to more fluid retention in the body.
11. Your age
Your breasts probably won't be the same as they were when you were 16.Most women's breasts sag over time and this is normal.This is mainly due to loss of elasticity and stretching of the ligaments.
Although breast changes are a normal process, sudden enlargement, changes in the shape and density of the breasts should alert you and be a reason to consult a doctor.
12. Good posture
.png)
It seems pretty obvious, but this is another reason why you should stop slouching.With good posture, each breast will look firm and toned.
When you have a strong muscular corset, your back is well supported, there is no bending forward, your shoulders are not closed, your chest looks bigger, since it does not fall in, but protrudes.
How to fix your posture
First of all, you need to be constantly aware of how you hold your body.The habit of lying down is not so easy to get rid of, but the more often you think about your posture, the better it will become.
- Your weight should rest primarily on the balls of your feet.
- Your knees are slightly bent and your feet are shoulder-width apart.
- Straighten your shoulders, arms hanging freely at the sides of your body.
- Tighten your stomach.
- The head should be positioned so that the ears are at shoulder level.You don't need to tilt your head forward, back or to the side.
- Shift your weight from your toes to your heels or from one foot to the other if you have to stand for a long time.
13. Caffeine
Did you know that your coffee habit can affect your breasts?Researchers from Lund and Malmö universities in Sweden found that drinking too much coffee can lead to smaller breasts.
If you don't drink more than one or two cups of coffee a day, this is unlikely to affect your breast size.However, women who consumed more than three cups of coffee a day had breasts that were, on average, 17 percent smaller than those who did not drink coffee.
Scientists say almost half of women have a genetic mutation that links coffee consumption to breast size.
This may be due to the fact that coffee affects the female sex hormone estrogen.However, coffee also has its benefits.For example, researchers have found that it reduces the risk of breast cancer.
14. Breast implants
If you have breast implants, you probably won't wonder if your breasts are growing.However, the placement of breast implants can cause some of the breast tissue to atrophy.
This is because the implants put pressure on the breast tissue, which will cause it to deteriorate over time.
And by the way, if you have breast implants, it's harder to notice changes in the breast tissue, so you should have your breasts checked regularly by your doctor.
15. Menopause
Breasts are hormone-dependent tissue, so it would be reasonable to assume that they would become smaller with the onset of menopause due to the decline in estrogen levels.However, this is not entirely true.
On average, women gain half a kilo per year after menopause.This is due to a decrease in physical activity and a decrease in lean muscle mass, as well as a shift in hormones that causes more fat to accumulate in the abdominal area.
Unfortunately, a weight gain of more than 9 kg increases the risk of breast cancer by 18%.
Additionally, Cooper's ligaments, a connective tissue that acts like an inner bra, stretch over time.
Because of this, with age, the breasts become softer and begin to sag.