Why is one mammary gland larger than the other? One breast is larger than the other - how to correct asymmetry? Video: causes of breast asymmetry and ways to correct it

Slight asymmetry of the mammary glands is a physiological phenomenon that is observed quite often. Many women have one breast a little smaller than the other, but visually this difference is not noticeable.

It’s another matter when the difference in size becomes noticeable to others and becomes the reason for a woman’s lack of confidence in her own attractiveness.

Today, this problem can be corrected through a number of corrective measures.

General points

Breasts begin to form from the moment the first menstruation appears. This process continues until the birth of the first child.

Physiological imbalance at a young age is explained by the influence of hormones during puberty, as well as genetic predisposition.

The development of the mammary glands occurs under the influence of estrogens; female hormones are responsible for the growth of glandular breast tissue. Progesterone affects the development of the milk ducts and alveoli.

In girls aged 9-16 years, the glands swell and a fatty layer appears in them. The areolas become pigmented, and when you feel the area near the nipple, you can find small lumps - this is glandular tissue. From it the mammary gland is subsequently formed.

Hormonal changes in the body are accompanied by other phenomena: pain, heaviness in the mammary glands, which is considered normal.

During adolescence, the appearance of disproportion is not a deviation. Over time, both mammary glands will become the same size, so neither the girl nor her parents need to worry prematurely.

Between the ages of 16 and 26 years, the formation of the mammary glands is completed. With the onset of pregnancy, breast growth resumes and fat accumulates in it. The mammary glands retain their shape until the reproductive function fades.

Congenital factors

A woman's beauty is directly influenced by correct posture. Slouching causes the mammary glands to lose their shape and droop.

The role of scoliosis in the development of pathology is great. Rotation of the vertebrae and deformation of the chest causes changes in the circumference, shape and volume of one of the glands.

Advice! If the cause of the anomaly is poor posture, you should visit an orthopedist. A set of exercises, massage, and swimming will help correct the situation and restore the correct position of the spine and mammary glands.

There are birth defects:

1. Hypoplasia– underdevelopment of one of the glands;
2. Hyperplasia one breast against the background of underdevelopment of the other;
3. Complete absence of the gland;
4. Uneven ptosis(omission);
5. Violation of the shape of the gland, for example, one has the appearance of an elongated tube, and the other has a hemispherical shape.

Congenital anomalies develop during intrauterine life in the second month of pregnancy.

Only plastic surgery will help correct the situation. But, initially you should visit a mammologist and determine further treatment tactics.

With the onset of pregnancy, the deviation worsens, the difference between the glands becomes more noticeable, so you should not postpone a visit to the doctor.

Acquired asymmetry

Various injuries play a large role in the formation of the defect. It happens that the damage was received in early childhood and was safely forgotten about.

But, with the onset of adolescence or pregnancy, the gland tissues “remember” the injury. Oxygen and nutrients do not reach this area in sufficient quantities, which affects its development.

One of the reasons for the disproportion may be inept installation of implants. The consequence of surgery is displacement or lowering of the endoprosthesis, which is visible to the naked eye.

A complication of the operation can be capsular contracture - the growth of fibrous tissue around the prosthesis, which compresses and deforms it, as a result, the shape and size of the gland changes.

The cause of the disproportion may be age-related involution of the breast, when the fat layer and glandular tissue disappear. These processes occur unevenly, which leads to the fact that one breast becomes smaller than the other.

Pregnancy

With the onset of an “interesting position,” the breast undergoes significant changes:

• swells and becomes 1-2 sizes larger;
• a venous network appears on the skin;
• pain and heaviness may appear;
• nipples become more sensitive, areolas become pigmented;
• in the last trimester, colostrum may be released;
• Skin stretch marks, unfortunately, often accompany pregnancy.

Note! A dangerous misconception among women is the belief that breast tumors go away spontaneously during pregnancy.

Hormonal imbalances can provoke a pathological process, especially since diagnosis during pregnancy is difficult.

If the following signs appear, you should consult a doctor:

• development of asymmetry;
• brown or pink discharge from the nipples;
• swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit;
• constant pain;
• lumps inside the breast;
• inflammation (redness, sores on the skin and nipples).

If dangerous symptoms appear, you should undergo an examination to clarify the situation.

There is no need to be scared right away if you find a lump in one of the glands. Most likely, the changes are caused by pregnancy itself, a cyst or mastopathy. A visit to a gynecologist and mammologist will dispel doubts.

During the period of bearing a baby, a shift in hormonal levels occurs, which causes unevenness. The resulting aesthetic defect usually disappears on its own after childbirth.

If the asymmetry persists, the child should be given the smaller breast more often. More milk will heat up in it and it will gradually increase.

Breast-feeding

During lactation, one breast may differ in size from the other. The process of milk synthesis directly depends on the needs of the child. For example, if the baby has eaten 100 ml, then the same amount will be formed by the next feeding.

Sometimes the mother gives the baby only one breast, which leads to a natural decrease in the amount of milk in the other breast.

The reasons why disproportion develops during breastfeeding are as follows:

1. One breast has an anatomical defect, for example, inverted nipple. Therefore, it is more convenient for the baby to grab the other breast with his mouth.
2. If there are pathological abnormalities– mastopathy, benign tumors, previous injuries. This leads to the fact that the sinuses are not completely filled with milk, and lactation is suppressed over time.
3. Cracked nipples cause pain in women, she spares the sore area, preferring to feed the baby with the other breast.
4. Inflammation of the gland or lactostasis causes a painful enlargement of the glands, dense areas form inside it, which does not allow the child to fully empty the breast.
5. Baby prefers one breast, for example, it is more convenient for him to grasp the nipple.

Important! To avoid an aesthetic defect, organize feeding the baby alternately with both breasts. If the baby did not use the second gland, express the remainder. This will ensure an even flow of milk to the glands.

Mastopathy and tumors

If the asymmetry is not related to pregnancy and childbirth and does not go away for a long time, it’s time to sound the alarm. The reason may be:

• mastopathy (diffuse or nodular form);
• benign tumors;
• mammary cancer.

Any woman should conduct a monthly breast self-examination to identify the pathological process in the early stages.

If there is the slightest suspicion, you should visit an oncologist and undergo an examination:

• mammography;
• Ultrasound of the mammary glands;
• puncture – if a mass process is suspected;
• MRI of the gland.

The most important thing is to make sure that the process is of good quality. Further conservative or surgical treatment is carried out, which is determined by the doctor.

After surgery to remove a tumor or fibrous node, asymmetry may appear, which is corrected by plastic surgery.

In some cases, the asymmetry of the glands is caused by a woman’s hormonal imbalance, which occurs during stress, nervous tension, sudden weight loss, and chronic insomnia.

Stabilization of hormone levels occurs when returning to a normal daily routine, proper nutrition, and restoration of mental balance.

If a woman is diagnosed with endocrine diseases, she should take medications prescribed by her doctor.

Correction methods

The choice of method is directly related to the reason that led to the violation of symmetry. Some defects can be corrected exclusively by surgical intervention.

Diet, exercise, and massage usually do not help restore shape lost during pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Here are the methods of mammoplasty that are actively used at present.

Mastopexy

Surgery for prolapse (ptosis) of one or both glands. The chest is raised to a higher position.

Access can be made through the areola (periareolar mastopexy), T-shaped, vertical or anchor method.

The duration of the intervention is 2-3 hours. After mastopexy, a scar remains, which becomes invisible after a few months.

Using threads for correction

The procedure is performed without anesthesia and with minimal complications, however, it is not suitable for all women. Threads help restore shape if you have a second or third bust size.

The technique is used for sagging, sagging breasts after sudden weight loss, feeding a child, and with age-related changes, however, it does not help get rid of the defect in full breasts.

Installation of implants

The operation is indicated for hypoplasia, when one breast is underdeveloped compared to the other.

During the intervention, silicone prostheses are installed to correct the defect. An incision can be made underneath the gland, in the nipple area and under the armpits.

Lipolifting

Restoration of shape and volume is carried out with adipose tissue taken from other parts of the patient’s body. Typically, fat from the abdomen, buttocks and thighs is used.

Lipolifting helps to enlarge breasts by 1-1.5 sizes. Due to the use of one’s own tissues, there is no rejection or allergic reactions after the intervention.

Reduction mammoplasty

Helps reduce hypertrophied mammary glands, get rid of excess skin and fatty tissue. During the operation, the nipple area is slightly raised. Access is carried out in a T-shaped, vertical or anchor way.

Note! If one breast is underdeveloped and the other is too large, a combination of reduction plastic surgery and endoprosthetics in one operation is allowed.

Change in size, shape of nipples and areolas

Plastic surgery is used for inverted or excessively convex nipples, their asymmetrical location, uneven contours, and excessive pigmentation of the areola area.

Correction is carried out both through surgery and non-invasive methods (micropigmentation).

Defect in teenage girls

Uneven breast development during adolescence is a common phenomenon. The difference in size is due to fluctuations in hormones; sometimes injuries received in childhood make themselves felt. Typically, the mammary glands acquire symmetry towards the end of puberty.

Breast development is also affected by gynecological diseases and hormonal imbalances during adolescence. Experts believe that an imbalance of estrogen and progesterone is one of the leading factors in the appearance of breast asymmetry.

Important! During puberty, protect the breasts from impacts and other mechanical injuries. Any damage can lead to the appearance of cysts and hematomas in the future.

Exposure to high and low temperatures causes the development of juvenile (bone) cysts. The skin of the mammary glands is very delicate and thin, so burns and injuries greatly alter the breasts.

Defects in the skin can cause the formation of keloid scars, which change the appearance of the gland and lead to asymmetry.

Prevention

• feed the baby milk from both breasts throughout the day;
• During night feeding, offer smaller breasts;
• express milk evenly from both glands;
• if the child falls asleep while sucking on the breast, apply it specifically to the small mammary gland;
• Avoid stagnation; pumping and massage will help you with this.

Price

The cost of plastic correction depends on the level of the clinic and the qualifications of the doctor, the type of intervention, and the choice of anesthesia method.

On average, a consultation with a plastic surgeon will cost you 500-1500 rubles.

Mastopexy – 60-100 thousand rubles.

Endoprosthetics – 110-25 thousand rubles.

Lipolifting – from 60 thousand rubles per area.

Reconstruction of nipples and areola – from 55 thousand rubles.

Reduction mammoplasty – from 150 thousand rubles.

One of the methods for correcting breast asymmetry is described in detail in the video.

Is it not by chance that we wrote the word “much” in the title of the article? After all, it is a well-known fact that in nature there are no absolutely identical things. Man, being a part of nature, is no exception. Upon careful examination, you can see that all paired parts of our body: eyes, ears, hands, feet, are more or less different from each other.

The same applies to the chest. Those. if the difference between the left breast and the right is not great and most will not notice the difference, then there is no need to worry about their dissimilarity. If the left breast is much larger than the right, or the right is larger than the left, then the concerns and worries are somewhat more justified.

The problem of asymmetrical breasts is indeed serious, since in addition to the purely aesthetic side, it can lead to a threat to a woman’s health!

Why does it happen that the left breast is much larger than the right?

The roots of this phenomenon have long been studied and classified by specialists, who identify the following possible causes of breast asymmetry:

1. Congenital asymmetry of the mammary glands.

The cause of congenital asymmetry of the mammary glands is still unknown.

Uneven development of the left and right breasts during puberty leads to differences in the growth of one breast relative to the other. But, as a rule, by the age of 18-20, this difference becomes minimal. If by the age of 20 the asymmetry remains, then, unfortunately, it is unlikely to even out naturally. Over the years, for example, after pregnancy, the situation can only get worse.

2. Acquired breast asymmetry.

Prerequisites for deformation of the mammary glands may be:

• Mechanical injury.

Very often, the fact of an injury received in early childhood is forgotten over time, and the problem that has arisen over the years is “written off” as a congenital pathology.

• Tumor

A tumor is a fairly serious problem, accompanied by the growth of pathological tissue inside the breast and requiring immediate active action. As a result, one breast begins to increase in size.

• Pregnancy

The most common cause of breast asymmetry is pregnancy.

Of course, the reason lies not in the pregnancy itself, but in the mechanisms of lactation. With different stimulation of the mammary glands, an unequal amount of milk accumulates in them, hence the difference in size.

The reasons for this may be different:

• The process of expressing milk in one breast is more productive than in the other.
• Night feeding is carried out with only one breast
• The baby can suckle at the breast in different ways: the right one is good, the left one is not. The explanation could be, for example, a difference in the shape of the nipples.
• Suppression of lactation in one of the breasts
• Perhaps one breast is less milky, which may be due to trauma or mastopathy in the past.
• The presence of cracks in the nipples, as a result of which the nursing mother deliberately does not attach the baby to the breast.

Unusual opinion of experts

There is another rather interesting opinion that explains the difference in breast size. Some doctors believe that the left breast becomes larger than the right (or vice versa) occurs due to the size of the pectoral muscles. They argue that differences in breast size can be caused by frequent irritation and stressful situations.

Is it really?

With constant dissatisfaction with life, neuroses and stressful situations, a person is much more likely to experience congestion in the gallbladder and liver. The first thing that suffers from this is the muscles in the chest area. As a result, the supply and nutrition of the mammary gland on one side is disrupted. And as a consequence of this, the mammary gland either grows very slowly or its growth stops altogether.

What to do if one breast is smaller (lower) than the other?

If the difference in size is so small that it is barely noticeable, there is nothing you need to do except live and enjoy life. As a rule, men do not notice such a difference at all.

If, after complete formation, one breast has become noticeably smaller than the other, the fears are justified - this is a reason to contact a breast surgeon.

A visit to a specialist is especially necessary in cases where everything was normal, and there was a change in the size of one breast at a certain age. This may be the cause of both hormonal imbalance in the body and the possible development of a tumor.

How to equalize breast size?

To give your breasts the desired proportions, it is necessary to determine the reasons why one breast has become smaller than the other.

First of all, it is necessary to exclude oncology, and only then consider other possible prerequisites for asymmetry.

If you suspect a tumor, you must urgently consult a doctor: a gynecologist or mammologist and undergo the necessary tests. Based on the results of the analyses, specialists will develop an individual action plan.

If the difference in size appears as a result of pregnancy, then in this case competent organization of the feeding process is necessary.

In case of injury, congenital asymmetry, or a difference in breast size after completion of lactation, there is only one solution - plastic surgery.

In this case, the girl has the opportunity to choose the direction of the surgeon’s work: either enlarge the smaller breast or reduce the larger one.

A wide variety of sizes and shapes of breast implants allows you to achieve almost perfect symmetry.

If the reason for the difference in breast size is pregnancy and breastfeeding, then in this case it is more advisable to undergo breast lift surgery, which allows you to return the breasts to their previous attractive shape.

In a word, today if one breast is smaller or lower than the other, and it does not matter whether it is the left breast or the right, then this is not a problem. An experienced plastic surgeon, a modern clinic and compliance with all the surgeon’s recommendations are three steps to becoming the owner of absolutely symmetrical breasts.

When one breast is larger than the other, it causes a kind of aesthetic discomfort in women. Many young girls go to the doctor with this problem. As a rule, such problems do not have a pathological basis. A woman's bust is a paired organ. Like everything else in the body, breasts are not symmetrical. Therefore, a slight difference in size is considered normal. But when the pathology is clearly expressed, that is, one mammary gland is much larger than the other, you need to look for the cause of this deviation.

Causes

A mammologist will help you understand why your breasts grow disproportionately. In medicine, all women's problems are divided into 2 forms:

• acquired;
• congenital.

Congenital pathology is caused by the girl’s hormonal background. According to medical observations, breast growth begins at approximately 9 years of age. At this time, the girl’s body begins to gradually transform and become an adult. Reproductive functions mature. The volume of breasts that a woman will ultimately have is influenced by hormones produced by the ovaries.

According to experts, it is the ratio of progesterone and estrogen in a teenager’s body that determines the volume of the mammary glands.

If a diagnosis was made in a timely manner and a violation was detected, then with adequate treatment in more than half of the patients, the size of the left breast becomes equal to the right. Proportionality is achieved at approximately 19 years of age. If this does not happen, the problem continues to be treated further.

A woman's breast is a rather vulnerable organ. If it is injured, the blood supply to this area may be disrupted. This process during puberty can lead to the fact that one organ continues to grow, while the other stops developing.

The reasons for the acquired pathology, due to which one breast has become larger than the other, may be as follows:

• pregnancy;
• mastopathy;
• the presence of tumors of various etiologies;
• the result of mechanical impact on the mammary gland.

An increase in the size of one organ may be temporary. Most often, the reasons are trivial - a chest injury or an insect bite. In both circumstances, swelling appears, which gives additional volume to the affected organ.

Violation of breast symmetry during pregnancy

In fact, pregnancy has no direct effect on breast growth. The breasts begin to enlarge precisely because of the lactation process.

Milk in the female breast is formed in the alveoli, which are formed from glandular tissue. This is where milk production occurs. It moves through the milk ducts and reaches the milk sinuses, where it accumulates in anticipation of pumping. Around the ducts and alveoli there are fatty and connective tissues. When the glands become full, they increase in size. Accordingly, the breast itself begins to increase in volume.

The amount of milk a woman produces is regulated by the hormones prolactin and oxytocin. The production of hormones itself occurs as a result of feeding the baby when the baby suckles.

The reasons for significantly enlarged only one breast during breastfeeding may be the following:

1. Presence of nipple damage. If one breast has been injured, in most cases the woman, who does not want to experience pain while feeding the baby, tries to feed the baby with a healthy organ. This leads to the fact that in one breast milk production is constantly stimulated, and in the other it is suppressed.
2. Presence of mammary gland pathologies. For example, mastopathy of one gland reduces the process of lactation in it.
3. Incorrect feeding. If a woman has enough milk, she can feed only one breast and express the other. In the case when alternation does not occur, the process of milk discharge is carried out differently, which can lead to asymmetry of the mammary glands.
4. Inflammatory processes. They can occur due to insufficient hygienic care, due to milk residues in the ducts after feeding (leading to blockage) or under the influence of pathogenic microorganisms that can get into microcracks in the nipples.

Breasts of different sizes caused by pathological reasons will not only create visual discomfort. Under such circumstances, symptoms of pain or other signs of illness may occur.

Mastopathy and other neoplasms

If one breast is larger than the other and the cause is not congenital or occurred during breastfeeding, the woman should seek help from an oncologist or mammologist.

If during the first diagnosis, which is carried out by palpation, the doctor discovers a lump in the gland, the girl will need to undergo a number of additional studies. They will be aimed at determining the benign quality of the process, as well as identifying the main cause of the development of the pathology.

If the test results do not confirm the presence of cancer, the principle of treatment will be based on normalizing the production of hormones. It should be taken into account that disturbances in the functioning of the reproductive organs can also affect the growth of the mammary glands during puberty.

During treatment, the girl must follow all the doctor’s recommendations and undergo all scheduled examinations. All drugs used during the therapeutic course are prescribed individually for each patient. Uncontrolled use of medications can lead to the development of quite serious pathologies.

Surgical intervention

In cases where breast size cannot be adjusted using conservative methods, a woman can correct the cosmetic defect with plastic surgery. It may be performed to reduce a larger organ to the size of a smaller one. A woman can also solve her problem by installing implants.

Plastic surgery for breast augmentation gives girls a chance not only to cope with asymmetry. Installing implants, if desired by the patient, allows you to create a huge bust.

It should be taken into account that artificial breasts may not be available to everyone, since the presence of tumor processes is a contraindication to plastic surgery.

When diagnosing oncology, initially all attempts are made to get rid of the disease in a conservative way. When treatment fails or the patient's condition worsens, specialists may recommend surgery.

If the asymmetry is insignificant and does not have a pathological basis, the woman is advised not to resort to radical methods of correcting her bust. It should be remembered that any interference in a normal physiological process can negatively affect the entire body. You can hide a minor defect in the difference in breast size using special shapewear.

Video

Our video will tell you about the reasons for breast asymmetry during breastfeeding.

“I looked into the eyes, but saw only breasts...”

Dmitry Pasternak

Nature does not like strict boundaries. In creating man, she bypassed the issue of asymmetry. There are no people with equal body proportions; paired organs of the body are unequal in size and appearance. This also applies to the female bust. In 80% of women, the differences are not visually visible.

But the remaining 20% ​​of the fair half are afraid to look at themselves in the mirror. The mammary glands are so disproportionate that it goes beyond one’s own perception, which leads to depression and psychological problems.

Why is one breast larger than the other? Did nature give you a bug? Is there an error in your system, or a pronounced asymmetry – a sign of serious pathologies or health problems? Let's figure it out.

Types of asymmetry

Pathogenetics identifies bust disproportions caused by increased growth (hyperplasia) and poor development (hypoplasia). Disproportions in the development of the mammary glands are divided into the following stages:

1. Mild disproportion. The asymmetry between the breasts is practically invisible. This degree is not subject to medical intervention. Specially selected underwear corrects the dissonance.
2. Second degree. The mammary glands vary by 1/3 in size.
3. Difficult stage. If one breast is 2 or more times larger than the other. The proportion of the body is significantly disturbed.

In the practice of plastic surgery, different breasts are found in numerous variations (the glands differ in the degree of prolapse of one part, the location of the areola and nipple). Based on the geometric shapes of the bust in the female body, the following types of asymmetry are divided:

• Marked asymmetry of the areolas and nipples (appearance, direction of growth, location or volume).
• Hypertrophy (when one gland has the shape of an elongated tube, and the other is hemispherical).
• Normal development of one breast and enlargement of the second (the second breast droops).
• Uneven ptosis (drooping). Either the right or left breast is affected.
• Underdevelopment of one gland with hyperplasia (overgrowth) of the other.
• Bilateral hyperplasia of both mammary glands.
• Dystrophy of one mammary gland.
• Hypoplasia (underdevelopment) of the bust.

Severe disproportion spoils life. It becomes impossible to wear elegant underwear, a woman is embarrassed to appear on the beach, in the pool, or in the sauna. Imbalance becomes a serious obstacle in intimate life. Where to look for the culprit who makes such “jokes” on a woman?

Reasons for the size difference

Asymmetry of the mammary glands is explained by the influence of hormones during puberty and genetic changes in the female body. The formation of the bust ends by the age of 21 (in 3 out of 10 women, development continues until the age of 25-30).

The impetus for the growth of the mammary glands is given by the hormone estrogen. The age at which breasts grow determines their final shape. During development, the bust is formed unevenly; imbalances during this period are the norm.

There are four factors that influence the size and proportions of the glands - genetics, unfavorable periods, pregnancy, lactation.

Congenital anomalies

Glandular malformations are diagnosed in early childhood. These include anomalies in position, visual appearance, number of glands, and nipples. When creating a female bust, genes can “make mistakes” in 2-3% of pathological cases. This occurs during the embryonic development of the fetus at the 6th week of pregnancy (the time of the formation of the milk ducts). At 7-8 weeks, nipples and areolas appear.

Changes in the normal cycle of intrauterine breast development in a child are associated with the stress of a pregnant woman, the use of medications by the expectant mother, and the pathological course of pregnancy. Congenital anomalies include the following deformities:

• Polythelia. An increase in the number of nipples (this phenomenon is observed in 2% of women and 5.5% of men).
• Polymastia. The presence of one or more additional mammary glands. They are located along the milk line (the area from the armpits to the groin). Occurs in 1-2% of people.
• Amastia (agenesis). Lack of one or two mammary glands.
• Aplasia (Poland syndrome). Underdevelopment of the mammary glandular substance.
• Hypoplasia. Lack of volume, deficiency is sharply expressed in relation to other parts of the body.
• Tubularity of the breast. An anomaly in which the breasts are elongated into tubules (tubes) and do not have a hemispherical (normal) appearance. This deformation is called “mushroom” or “goat” breasts.

Acquired defects

Throughout life, a woman's breasts face dangers that threaten asymmetry and deformation of the glands. How does the bust develop?

Puberty (9-16 years). The first changes occur in the girl’s chest; the nipple area darkens, becomes rough and thickens. The fat layer gradually grows, which increases the volume. When palpating the nipple area, hard lumps and lumps are felt. This is the main “builder” of the mammary gland – glandular tissue.

During puberty, a girl's breasts develop asymmetrically, which makes the girl and parents worry. Especially if the growth of the glands is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness and pain syndromes. But such symptoms are normal, this is a physiological norm.

Early reproduction (16-26 years). The time when the mammary glands acquire their natural characteristics. The glandular structure and milk ducts are actively forming. A young bust differs from an adult in the light pink color of the nipples, a small amount of fat and elasticity.

Now the mammary glands are especially susceptible to injury. Any physical impact stimulates the appearance of cysts and hematomas. When hypothermia or overheating occurs, juvenile (bone) cysts form.

When a girl begins an intimate relationship, her bust changes. It increases and decreases slightly. Starting from the age of 20, the growth of the breast (glandular component) stops, and pregnancy gives a new impetus to its development. The mammary glands become fuller during this period due to the thickening of the fat layer. Its excess leads to sagging bust.

Maturity (26-42 years). The breast is formed and ready for its main mission - to feed the newborn. Now the glands become rough, hurt, and enlarge in the second half of the monthly cycle. Such symptoms are expressed in different ways: from mild malaise to severe pain symptoms. The painful syndrome is called “premenstrual tension syndrome” (PPS).

Adulthood is dangerous for the bust due to the development of compactions, the appearance of nodules and cavities. Visit your gynecologist regularly to prevent tumors from occurring.

Involution (42-56 years old). In a woman, the productivity of the functioning of the sex glands gradually fades, and menopause creeps up. The bust responds to aging by decreasing its glandular component. The glandular structure is replaced by fibrous (connective) and fatty, as a result of which the mammary glands increase in volume. Premenstrual symptoms fade, soon disappear, and the once luxurious breasts sag and shrink.

Decline (56-80 years). The bust continues to lose its magnificent appearance. After the cessation of menstruation and the onset of menopause, the mammary glands rapidly age and degrade.

Old age (over 80 years old). The sad stage turns an attractive bust into empty skin bags. At this time, there is a high risk of tumors appearing.

Throughout this difficult life stage, the mammary glands can become deformed and become asymmetrical. Protect this part of the body from shock, physical impact, and burns. Sensitive breast tissue forms keloid scars, which tighten the skin and lead to the reduction of one breast.

Risky situations

In women who enlarge their bust by installing an implant, the foreign body moves during life, leading to changes in the mammary gland. It is also possible to develop capsular contracture (formation of fibrous tissue in the area of ​​the prosthesis). The pathological process leads to compression and compaction of the implant, which deforms the mammary gland.

Throughout her life, a woman is subject to endocrine disorders (imbalance between the hormones progesterone and estrogen). The problem is identified by taking a blood test for hormones. The following factors indicate a “war” of hormones in the female body:

• Instability of the menstrual cycle (absence of menstruation, scant discharge or long, heavy menstruation).
• Disorders of the nervous system (anxiety, depression, irritability, outbursts of aggression).
• Sudden, causeless weight gain (it is impossible to get rid of extra pounds; neither diets nor hard training help).
• Decreased libido (reluctance to intimate intimacy, apathy towards a partner, sexual intercourse is accompanied by dryness, irritation of the vagina).
• Changes in the condition of hair and nails (with endocrine disorders, hair becomes thinner, hair falls out, nails become brittle, layered, and acquire a yellowish tint).
• Skin rashes (a constant companion of hormonal problems - acne, inflammation, difficult to treat).
• Sleep disorders (hormonal imbalance causes insomnia, restless, sensitive sleep).
• Problems of the reproductive organs (with endocrine disorders, a woman is not able to bear a child). Even if you manage to get pregnant, the pregnancy period is difficult, with the threat of miscarriage and fetal death.

Diseases pose a threat to the beauty of the bust; mastopathy (benign fibrocystic disease), which provokes the appearance of cysts and nodes, is especially dangerous. The appearance of asymmetry (according to doctors) is a direct indicator of a risk factor for a woman developing breast cancer.

The period of lactation is dangerous for the healthy condition of the breast. Inexperienced mothers, not knowing how to properly feed a child, wearing a tight bra, risk causing trouble for the mammary glands.

"Dangerous" breastfeeding

Breast asymmetry during the lactation period is a common phenomenon. In the mammary glands, breast milk accumulates unevenly, some breasts are more “greedy” for milk, others are lazier. The situation is aggravated by the mistakes of the young mother:

• Incomplete expression of milk in one of the mammary glands.
• Night feeding takes place only with the help of one mammary gland.
• The formation of cracks on one nipple and the reluctance of the mother to “disturb” the problem breast.
• It is more convenient for mother to feed the baby on one side of the breast. The “in demand” breast increases in size compared to the second one, because more milk comes to it.

Asymmetry appears in the case of previous breast diseases, and the unequal structure of the nipples also affects (the baby cannot fully suck from one breast; during feeding it does not empty, which provokes asymmetry). There are cases when one mammary gland is not filled with milk at all, this leads to its reduction.

Attention! Incorrect treatment of milk stagnation (applying vodka compresses, camphor preparations) leads to cessation of lactation. Camphor and alcohol are antagonists (depressants), they stop the work of the hormone oxytocin (the “supervisor” of breastfeeding).

Feeding rules

It is not difficult to align the mammary glands during breastfeeding. The baby should be placed on the smaller breast more often. If your baby is naughty, give him a larger breast for a while, but then switch back to a smaller one. If the milk-filled gland bothers you or is bursting, express the milk.

Before going to bed, let the baby suckle on the larger breast; as soon as the baby falls asleep, change the breast to a smaller one. During a period of prolonged sucking, the baby will empty it, causing an increased flow of milk and an enlargement of the gland.

Feed at night only with smaller breasts!

What to do in case of nipple injuries. To avoid excruciating pain, seek help and advice from a lactation coach. He will tell you the intricacies of breastfeeding and tell you how to massage the glands.

Basic Rules. Achieve more breast stimulation with a smaller volume. There will be an increase in its filling with milk and a gradual increase. The large mammary gland should not be completely emptied; it should be stimulated less. In this case, milk will arrive to her during lactation in reduced quantities, and the volume of the gland will decrease.

Once your breasts have a uniform appearance, make sure they empty evenly! The process of “balancing” the breasts is long, the problem will not be solved in 2-3 days. Prepare yourself to “fight” asymmetry in 2-3 months.

Special situations. There are cases when such methods do not work. This includes the baby’s inability to latch onto the nipple due to its irregular (retracted, flattened) shape. The use of special nipple covers helps mother and baby. As a result of congenital hypoplasia (overgrowth) of tissues, asymmetry is difficult to remove on your own. The baby can be fed with one breast; other methods will help restore the proportions.

Breast correction

What to do if one breast is larger than the other? Plastic surgery has developed successful methods for performing corrective surgeries designed to restore symmetry. The choice of method depends on the extent of the problem. Mammoplasty techniques are used both independently and in complex combination.

Endoprosthetics. This type of plastic surgery is recommended for women suffering from hypomastia (underdeveloped breasts). During the operation, a silicone implant is installed using three methods: an inconspicuous incision along the nipple-areola area, under the breast and in the armpit area.

Reduction mammoplasty. The operation is intended to reduce bust volume due to mastoptosis (breast sagging) and hypertrophy (enlargement of one gland). The procedure is carried out in a gentle way (a T-shaped incision is made around the areola, excess fat tissue is removed). The areola, together with the nipple and blood and nerve vessels, moves to a higher position.

Mastopexy. Surgery is recommended for ptosis (drooping) of the breast. Mammoplasty involves removing excess skin. Mastopexy is performed in four ways: anchor, periareolar, vertical and circular. The event is short-lived - the woman spends 1-2 hours under anesthesia.

The rehabilitation period lasts 1.5-2 months. Painful symptoms are felt after plastic surgery for 4-5 days, they are mild and easily tolerated. During the recovery period, it is forbidden to take a steam bath, sauna, or play sports. During rehabilitation, it is necessary to wear compression garments.

Such methods have proven effective (in 92-95% of cases, asymmetry can be removed after the first operation). The remaining percentage accounts for complex, advanced cases requiring repeated surgical intervention.

Indications/contraindications for plastic surgery

Mammoplasty is performed in the following cases:

When a woman is unhappy with her breasts. These include underdevelopment of the glands, the presence of breasts that are too small compared to the constitution of the body, and asymmetry. The job of a plastic surgeon is to select and install an implant.

After breast removal surgery(missing right breast or left). The gland is removed in case of malignant formations. This requires installing a prosthesis and recreating the size and appearance of the mammary gland.

Women who have lost volume of the mammary glands after pregnancy, lactation, or sudden weight loss. Plastic surgeons perform two operations simultaneously (requiring implant installation and breast lift).

With any method of breast correction, there are a number of indications for which plastic surgery is contraindicated. These include:

• Diabetes.
• Diseases of the heart, lungs.
• Low blood clotting rates.
• Problems in the activity of the endocrine system.

If a woman is prone to forming keloid scars, plastic surgery is permitted, but is carried out with caution. After plastic surgery, it is undesirable to become pregnant for six months.

A set of exercises for a beautiful bust

There is no muscle tissue in the mammary glands themselves. But it is in the lower part of the bust. A training complex has been developed aimed at strengthening the pectoral muscles, which give the bust strength and elasticity.

1. Pressure. Stand facing the wall, rest your hands on it at the level of the solar plexus. Press firmly on the wall as if you want to move it. Once you feel maximum tension, hold for 10-12 seconds. Take a break and repeat the exercise 10 times.
2. Clutch. Stand straight with your arms raised, elbows bent, at chest level. Interlace your fingers and tense your pectoral muscles, trying to spread your arms to your sides. After resting, repeat 8 times.
3. Squeezing. Place both palms in front of you and press them against each other for 5 seconds. Repeat 12 times.
4. Swimming. Position yourself close to the wall, tighten your pectoral muscles. Make circular movements along the plane of the wall surface, as if you were swimming breaststroke in a pool. Repeat 100 times.
5. Push ups. Push-ups can be done in the usual way, from the floor. If you find it difficult, use gentle push-ups with bent knees. You should perform 5 push-ups in 3 repetitions.

The most important thing is not to lose heart. Modern medicine will always come to the rescue and solve any problems. All mammoplasty techniques have been proven and give excellent results. It is important to follow the recommendations of doctors and take care of the reconstructed breast.

Among the various questions of nursing mothers, the question of different breast sizes and different amounts of milk in the right and left breasts is quite common.

Why are the breasts different?

• The baby sucks one breast correctly, but not the other;
• Mom pumps, and from the very beginning one breast pumped better than the other;
• the mother generally feeds more with one breast, because it is more convenient for her - for example, she wears it in a sling at one breast all the time;
• Mom always feeds only one breast at night;
• in one of the breasts, lactation was suppressed - for example, by a long-term compress with camphor.

How to equalize breast size?

• always start feeding with the smaller breast, then give the larger one, after the larger one again the smaller one;
• for all short applications, give less;
• if the baby likes to sleep while sucking the breast, or falls asleep at the breast for a long time, try to have him suckle on a smaller breast during such periods;
• Try to feed primarily from the smaller breast at night.
• If you feel discomfort from filling in your larger breast, place your baby on it - but not for long, until the discomfort disappears.

Special situations

The baby is sucking on one breast incorrectly.
In this case, the sizes can be equalized only if the mother teaches the baby to suck correctly on the smaller breast. Even if you have a flat or inverted nipple on this breast, in most cases the baby will still be able to suckle correctly on this breast if it is presented in a certain way. A consultant can help you with this. Once you have mastered proper latching on your special breast, you can begin to stimulate the smaller breast to produce milk - as described above.

Mom pumps, and she always manages to pump more from one breast.
This situation also requires consultation with a specialist. Here you need to figure out why the mother is pumping and whether she needs it. In many cases, mothers would be glad to stop pumping, but do not know how to do this without harming the breast. The consultant will help with this. Together with the mother, he will create a program to reduce pumping - taking into account the fact that breasts differ in size and milk production. Plus the actions already listed above to change breast stimulation.

Lactation was suppressed in one breast, or mom had surgery on one chest.
Unfortunately, in this case there is no guarantee that in the end the breasts will be completely equal in size. One way or another, you can try to increase stimulation of the smaller breast, but if this does not bear any fruit, do not despair - the baby can be fed from one breast. When you finish breastfeeding, try to do it as smoothly as possible - then your milk breasts will most likely return to their pre-pregnancy size and become equal to the smaller ones.

Prevention of breast asymmetry

• Feed both breasts evenly throughout the day;
• At night, try to feed your baby with one breast or the other;
• Make sure your baby is sucking correctly on both breasts;
• in case of chest congestion, avoid camphor compresses, seek qualified help in a timely manner;
• If you must pump, try to express the same amount from both breasts.