Although breast size appears to be predetermined, many factors can affect breast size.
Fluctuations in your monthly cycle aren't the only reason your breasts are getting bigger and smaller, sore, or have other weird symptoms.
Most of the 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 tell 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
While genetics isn't a death sentence, it certainly plays a big role in how big your breasts will be.
Breast size is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Some people tend to have large breasts.In addition, when we gain weight, our breasts also grow.
Genes determine the basic parameters of the breast, but not its 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 of this is much higher than in the case of a woman who was born into a family where the first breast sizes were predominant.
2. Training
In general, you are unlikely to notice any changes in your breasts, even if you do vigorous physical activity such as lifting weights.The fact is that the mammary gland is located on top of the pectoral muscle, not part of it.
Many people believe that the muscles under the chest can be pumped up indefinitely, and this will not affect its shape and size in any way.
Although the exercises themselves do not increase the size of the breasts, training the pectoral muscles can create the illusion of larger, firmer breasts.
Push-ups, bench press, chest fly are the main exercises that strengthen the pectoral muscles.
- Do 3 sets of 20 push-ups at the beginning of the workout and the same at the end of the workout.Use this complex at least 3 times a week.
- The chest fly is another useful exercise for the chest.Take a dumbbell (or bottle of water) in your hand, sit on a bench with a slight incline, and keep your feet on the floor.Extend your arms out to the sides (arms slightly bent) to chest level, then bring them back.Do 3 sets of 15 reps 3 times a week.
3. Intimacy
The pleasure experienced during intimacy also temporarily increases the size of the breast.
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 temporary and can vary from barely noticeable to more impressive in women.
In any case, you shouldn't expect much from physical intimacy alone.Once you are back on the field, your breasts will also return to their normal size.
4. Phytoestrogen products
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Experts say that certain foods can affect the size of a woman's breasts.
During the transition period, the level of the hormone estrogen increases in girls, which leads to breast growth.At the end of the transition period, the hormone level normalizes and the breasts remain almost the same size for life.
Since the hormone estrogen promotes breast growth, products containing estrogen analogs may also affect breast size if ingested.
Phytoestrogens are plant-derived 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 consumption in moderation is recommended, as the side effects of consuming large amounts of phytoestrogen-rich foods are not yet fully understood.
5. Your weight
Breasts are made up of supporting tissue, mammary glands and ducts, and the proportions of these vary from woman to woman.
For example, some women have more supportive tissue than fat, and vice versa.If your breasts contain the right amount of fat, you will notice changes in your breast size as you lose or gain weight.
The difference will probably be insignificant if you lose or gain a few kilograms, but it will become more noticeable if your weight fluctuates more.
6. Phases of the menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle can roughly be divided into two parts: from the first day of menstruation and before ovulation - the follicular phase, and after ovulation - the luteal phase.
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In the follicular phase, especially on days 5-7 after the start of menstruation.low levels of estrogen and progesterone are observed and breast volume is the smallest.Since your breasts are not as affected by hormones during this period, this is the most accurate indicator of how your breasts will look.
As hormones 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 in your breasts, watch for changes at different points in your cycle, as this could simply be a result of hormone fluctuations.If the condition persists, consult a doctor.
7. Spider bite
It is not known why, but for some reason spiders like breasts.Some spider bites can cause an inflamed lump that 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, see 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 detergents, may cause abnormal breast growth, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.
For example, girls who developed early breast development before the age of 8 had symptoms of breast growth disappear 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 growth.
9. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
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During pregnancy, your breasts also go through changes that prepare your body to breastfeed your baby.The blood vessels, ducts and lobes involved in milk production dilate and grow.This process leads to increased sensitivity, heaviness and increased breast size.You may also notice that your areolas and nipples are enlarged.
Due to hormonal changes, the breasts of an expectant mother can grow to several sizes, even more during breastfeeding.
Shortly after giving birth, the level of the hormone prolactin increases in a woman's body, as a result of which the breasts begin to produce milk and swell even more.As a general rule, the breasts return to their normal size 3-6 months after breastfeeding ends.
If a woman has several children, the effect can be more significant and the size and shape of the breasts will be different after many births and breastfeedings.
10. Contraception
Birth control not only prevents pregnancy, but also helps regulate the menstrual cycle.Hormonal methods such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices can actually affect breast size.
When oral contraceptives first appeared, they were very high in estrogen, causing women's breasts to grow significantly.
Modern products contain only a fifth of the hormones originally present, so the effect is not as noticeable.However, it is completely normal to experience slight breast enlargement 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 look like they did when you were 16.Most women's breasts lose their firmness over time, and this is normal.This is primarily due to loss of elasticity and stretching of the ligaments.
Although changes in the breasts are a normal process, sudden enlargement, changes in the shape and density of the breast should alert you and warrant you to see a doctor.
12. Good posture
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It seems pretty obvious, but it's another reason you should stop squatting.With good posture, each breast looks firm and toned.
With a strong muscular corset, your back is well supported, there is no forward bending, your shoulders do not close, your chest appears larger, as it does not fall in, but sticks out.
How to correct your posture
First of all, you need to be constantly aware of how you hold your body.It is not so easy to get rid of the habit of slouching, but the more often you think about your posture, the better it will be.
- 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 hang freely at the sides of the body.
- Squeeze your stomach.
- The head should be positioned so that the ears are at shoulder height.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 Sweden's Lund and Malmö Universities have found that excessive coffee consumption can lead to smaller breasts.
If you drink no more than one or two cups of coffee a day, it probably won't affect your breast size.However, women who drank more than three cups of coffee a day had, on average, 17 percent smaller breasts than those who did not drink coffee.
According to scientists, almost half of women have a genetic mutation that links coffee consumption to breast size.
This may be because coffee affects the female sex hormone estrogen.However, coffee also has its benefits.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 be surprised that your breasts are getting bigger.However, the use of breast implants can cause the atrophy of part of the breast tissue.
This is because the implants put pressure on the breast tissue, which causes it to deteriorate over time.
And by the way, if you have breast implants, it's harder to notice changes in your breast tissue, so you should have your breasts checked by your doctor regularly.
15. Menopause
The breast is a hormone-dependent tissue, so it would be logical to assume that with the onset of menopause, they will become smaller due to the decrease in estrogen levels.However, this is not entirely true.
Women gain an average of 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 a shift in hormones, which causes more fat to accumulate in the abdominal area.
Unfortunately, a weight gain of more than 9 kilograms increases the risk of developing breast cancer by 18 percent.
Also, Cooper's ligaments, a connective tissue that acts as an inner bra, stretch over time.
Because of this, as we age, the breasts become softer and begin to sag.