Although breast size seems to be predetermined, there are many factors that can affect breast size.
Monthly cycle fluctuations aren't the only reason why your breasts get bigger and smaller, feel sore or have other strange symptoms.
Many changes are related to hormone levels, but coffee consumption, weight changes, diet and physical activity can also affect your breast size.
We can say that your breasts can say a lot about what is happening in your body and your health.
What factors actually affect breast size?Let's figure it out.
1. Genetics
Although genetics is not a death sentence, it certainly plays a big role in what size breasts you will have.
Breast size is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Some people have a predisposition to large breasts.In addition, if we gain weight, our breasts also become larger.
Genes determine the basic parameters of the breast, but not the actual size.
For example, genetic predisposition affects the sagging of the breasts, their volume and shape.But breast size can change throughout life.
That doesn't mean that just because your mom and sister were a size 3, you'll necessarily be the same size.However, the probability is much higher than for a woman who was born in a family where there were predominantly the first breast sizes.
2. Training
In general, you are unlikely to notice any changes in your breasts, even if you engage in vigorous physical activity with weightlifting.The point is that the mammary gland is located on top of the pectoral muscle, not as 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 increase the size of the breasts, exercising the pectoral muscles can create the illusion of larger, firmer breasts.
Push-ups, bench press, chest flees are the main exercises that strengthen the chest muscles.
- Do 3 sets of 20 push-ups at the beginning and the same at the end of the training.Use this complex at least 3 times a week.
- Chest flies are another useful chest exercise.Take dumbbells (or bottles of water) in your hands, sit on a bench with a slight incline, keep your feet on the floor.Extend your arms out to the side (arms should be slightly bent) to chest level, 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 different parts of our body, including the chest.This makes the breasts appear fuller and larger, although this effect is transient and can vary among women from barely noticeable to more impressive.
In any case, we shouldn't expect much from physical intimacy alone.Once you get back on track, your breasts will also return to their normal size.
4. Phytoestrogen products
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Experts say that some foods have the ability to affect the size of a woman's breasts.
During the transitional period in girls, the level of the hormone estrogen increases, which leads to breast growth.At the end of the transitional period, the hormone level normalizes, and the breasts remain almost the same size for life.
Since the hormone estrogen promotes breast growth, products containing an estrogen analog, when ingested, may also affect breast size.
Phytoestrogens are plant-based chemicals that bind to estrogen receptors in cells and act like this hormone.
Phytoestrogens include: tofu, green soybeans, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and flaxseeds.Carrots and beets also contain phytoestrogens, but it is recommended that they be consumed in moderation because the side effects of consuming 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 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.
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During the follicular phase, especially on the 5th - 7th day after the start of menstruation, a low level of estrogen and progesterone is observed, and the volume of the breast is the smallest.Since your breasts are not affected as much by hormones during this period, this is the most accurate indicator of how your breasts actually look.
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, look out for changes at different stages of your cycle, as this could simply be due to hormonal fluctuations.If the condition persists, consult a doctor.
7. Spider bites
It is not known for what reason, but for some reason spiders like breasts.Some spider bites can cause an inflamed lump, 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 research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
For example, in girls with premature breast development before age 8, symptoms of breast growth 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 the growth of breasts.
9. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
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During pregnancy, your breasts also go through changes that prepare your body to nurse your baby.The blood vessels, ducts and lobules involved in milk production expand and grow.This process leads to increased sensitivity, heaviness and increased breast size.You may also notice that your areolas and nipples are getting bigger.
Pregnant women's breasts can grow several sizes due to hormonal changes, and even more during breastfeeding.
Shortly after childbirth, the level of the hormone prolactin increases in the 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 more children, the effect can be more significant, and the size and shape of the breasts will be different after numerous births and feedings.
10. Contraception
Birth control not only prevents pregnancy but also helps regulate your menstrual cycle.Hormonal methods such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices can actually affect breast size.
When oral contraceptives first came out, their estrogen content was very high, causing women's breasts to become significantly larger.
Modern products contain only a fifth of the hormones that were originally present, so the effect is not as noticeable.However, it is completely normal if you notice a slight increase in 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 lose firmness over time and this is normal.This is mainly due to loss of elasticity and stretching of ligaments.
Although breast changes are a normal process, a sudden increase, changes in the shape and density of the breast should alarm you and be a reason to consult a doctor.
12. Good posture
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It seems pretty obvious, but this is another reason why you need to 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 breasts look bigger, because they do not fall in, but stick out.
How to correct your posture
First of all, you have to be constantly aware of how you hold your body.Slouching habits are not so easy to break, but the more often you think about your posture, the better it will be.
- Your weight should primarily be on the bottoms of your feet.
- Your knees are slightly bent, and your feet are shoulder-width apart.
- Straighten your shoulders, arms hang freely at the sides of your body.
- Tighten your stomach.
- The head should be positioned so that the ears are at shoulder level.There is no need to tilt your head forward, backward or sideways.
- Shift your weight from your toes to your heels or from one foot to the other if you have to stand for long periods of time.
13. Caffeine
Did you know that your coffee habit can affect your breasts?Researchers from the University of Lund and Malmö in Sweden found that excessive coffee consumption can lead to smaller breasts.
If you don't drink more than one or two cups of coffee a day, it's unlikely to affect your breast size.However, women who drank 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 advantages.For example, researchers have found that it reduces the risk of developing breast cancer.
14. Breast implants
If you have breast implants, you probably won't wonder if your breasts are getting bigger.However, implantation in the breast can cause atrophy of part of the breast tissue.
This is because the implants put pressure on the breast tissue, which will cause it to decay over time.
By the way, if you have breast implants, it is more difficult to notice any changes in the breast tissue, so your breasts should be regularly checked by a doctor.
15. Menopause
Breasts are hormone-dependent tissue, so it would be logical to assume that with the onset of menopause, they will become smaller due to a decrease in estrogen levels.However, that is not entirely true.
On average, women gain half a kilogram a year after menopause.This is due to a decrease in physical activity and a decrease in lean muscle mass, as well as changes in hormones, which causes more fat to accumulate in the abdominal area.
Unfortunately, gaining more than 9 kilograms increases the risk of developing breast cancer by 18 percent.
Additionally, Cooper's ligaments, the connective tissue that acts as an inner bra, stretch over time.
Because of this, with age, the breasts become softer and begin to sag.