Although breast size seems to be predetermined, many factors can affect breast size.
Monthly cycle fluctuations aren't the only reason your breasts grow and shrink, feel sore, or have other strange symptoms.
Many 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 say a lot about what is happening in your body and your health.
What factors actually influence breast size?Let's see that.
1. Genetics
While genetics isn't a death sentence, it certainly plays a big role in your breast size.
Breast size is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Some people have a predisposition to large breasts.Additionally, if we gain weight, our breasts also become larger.
Genes determine the basic parameters of the breast, but not its actual size.
For example, genetic predisposition affects breast sagging, volume and shape.But breast size can change throughout life.
This doesn't mean that just because your mother and sister were a size 3, you will necessarily be the same size.However, the probability is much higher than for a woman born into a family where the first breast size was predominant.
2. Training
In general, you are unlikely to notice any changes in your breasts, even if you engage in strenuous physical activity with weight training.The fact is that the mammary gland is located above the pectoral muscle and is not part of it.
Many people think that you can infinitely pump up the muscles located under the chest, and this will not affect its shape and size.
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, pectoral flyes 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 exercise for the chest.Take dumbbells (or water bottles) in your hands, sit on a slightly inclined bench, keep your feet on the floor.Extend your arms out to the sides (arms should be slightly bent) to chest level, then bring them back.Do 3 sets of 15 repetitions three times a week.
3. Privacy
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 impressive.
In any case, you 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
.png)
Experts say that certain foods have the ability to influence the size of a woman's breasts.
During the transition period, the level of estrogen in girls increases, which leads to breast growth.At the end of the transition period, hormone levels normalize and breasts remain almost the same size for life.
Since the hormone estrogen promotes breast growth, products containing an estrogen analogue, when ingested, can also affect breast size.
Phytoestrogens are plant-based chemicals that attach to estrogen receptors in cells and behave like this hormone.
Phytoestrogens include: tofu, green soybeans, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and flaxseeds.Carrots and beets also contain phytoestrogens, but it is recommended to consume them in moderation as the side effects of consuming large amounts of phytoestrogen-rich foods are not yet fully known.
5. Your weight
Breasts are made up of supporting tissues, mammary glands, and ducts, and the percentage of each varies from woman to woman.
For example, some women have more supporting tissue than fat, and vice versa.If your breasts contain a decent amount of fat, you will notice changes in your bust 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 significant weight fluctuations.
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 between the 5th and 7th day after the start of menstruation, low levels of estrogen and progesterone are observed and breast volume is lowest.Since your breasts are not as affected by hormones during this time, this is the most accurate indicator of what your breasts actually look like.
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 in your breasts, watch for changes at different times during your cycle, as it may simply be due to hormonal fluctuations.If the problem persists, consult a doctor.
7. Spider bites
It's not clear 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 alleviated with antihistamines and anti-inflammatory medications.In any case, if you suspect a spider bite, you should consult a doctor.
Breast cancer doesn't 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, breast growth symptoms 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 would explain breast growth.
9. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
.png)
During pregnancy, your breasts also undergo changes that prepare your body to breastfeed your baby.The blood vessels, ducts and lobules involved in milk production dilate and grow.This process leads to greater tenderness, heaviness and an increase in size of the breasts.You may also notice that your areolas and nipples are getting bigger.
A pregnant woman's breasts can enlarge several sizes due to hormonal changes, and even more so during breastfeeding.
Shortly after giving birth, the level of the hormone prolactin increases in the woman's body, causing the breasts to begin to produce milk and swell even more.Typically, breasts return to their normal size 3 to 6 months after breastfeeding ends.
If a woman has several children, the effect may be greater and the size and shape of the breasts will be different after many births and feedings.
10. Contraception
Contraception not only prevents pregnancy and helps regulate your menstrual cycle.Hormonal methods such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices can indeed affect breast size.
When oral contraceptives first appeared, their estrogen content was very high, which explains why women's breasts became significantly larger.
Modern products contain only a fifth of the hormones originally present, so the effect is not so noticeable.However, it is completely normal for you to notice a slight enlargement of your breasts during the first hormonal treatments.This is mainly because estrogen causes greater water retention in the body.
11. Your age
Your breasts will probably not be the same as 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 the ligaments.
Although changes in the breasts 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)
This seems pretty obvious, but it's another reason why you need to stop slouching.With good posture, any chest will appear firm and toned.
When you have a muscular and strong corset, your back is well supported, there is no forward bend, your shoulders are not closed, your chest appears larger, since it does not fall but protrudes.
How to correct your posture
First of all, you need to be constantly aware of how you are holding your body.It's not so easy to get rid of the habit of slouching, but the more often you think about your posture, it will improve.
- 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.There is no need to tilt your head forward, backward 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 consumption can affect your breasts?Researchers from Lund and Malmö University in Sweden found that excessive coffee consumption could 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 per day had breasts on average 17% smaller than those who didn't drink coffee.
Scientists say 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 wonder if your breasts are getting bigger.However, having breast implants can cause some of the breast tissue to atrophy.
This is because implants put pressure on the breast tissue, which will cause it to deteriorate over time.
By the way, if you have breast implants, it is more difficult to notice changes in the breast tissue.You should therefore have your breasts examined regularly by your doctor.
15. Menopause
Breasts are hormone-dependent tissues, so it would be logical to assume that they will shrink with the onset of menopause due to a decrease 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 lean muscle mass, as well as a change in hormones that leads to increased fat accumulation in the abdominal area.
Unfortunately, gaining more than 9 kilograms of weight increases the risk of developing breast cancer by 18%.
Additionally, Cooper's ligaments, a connective tissue that acts like an internal bra, stretch over time.
For this reason, with age, the breasts become softer and begin to sag.