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 get smaller and smaller, feel sore or have other strange symptoms.
Many of the changes are related to hormone levels, but the size of your breasts can also be affected by coffee consumption, changes in weight, diet and physical activity.
We can say that your breasts can tell a lot about what is happening in your body and with 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 large role in the size of the 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 fall, volume and shape of the breast.But breast size can change throughout life.
This does not mean that just because your mother and sister were a size 3, you will be the same size.However, the probability is much higher than for a woman who was born in a family where there were mostly 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 weight lifting.The thing is that the mammary gland is located on top of the pectoral muscle, not 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 and firmer breasts.
Push-ups, bench bench, chest fly are the main exercises that strengthen the chest 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 beneficial 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) at chest level and then bring them back.Do 3 sets of 15 repetitions 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 temporary and can vary in women from slightly noticeable to more impressive.
In any case, you shouldn't expect too much from physical intimacy alone.Once you're back on track, your breasts will also return to their normal size.
4. Phytoestrogen products
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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 growth.At the end of the transition period, hormone levels normalize and the breasts remain almost the same size throughout life.
Since the hormone estrogen promotes breast growth, products containing an estrogen analog, when ingested, may also affect breast size.
Phytoestrogens are plant-derived chemicals that bind to estrogen receptors in cells and behave like this hormone.
Phytoestrogens include: tofu, mung beans, soybeans, sunflower seeds and flax seeds.Carrots and beets also contain phytoestrogens, but it is recommended to consume them in moderation as 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 good 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 kilograms, 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 day 5 - 7 after the start of menstruation, low levels of estrogen and progesterone are observed, and the volume of the breast is the smallest.Since your breasts are not as affected by hormones during this period, 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 about your breasts, look for changes at different points in your cycle, as it could simply be due to hormone fluctuations.If the condition does not go away, 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 the 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 a bug bite.
8. Lavender oil
Lavender oil, which is often added to soaps, shampoos and laundry detergents, can cause abnormal breast growth, a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found.
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 breast growth.
9. Pregnancy and lactation
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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 sensitivity, heaviness and increased breast size.You may also notice that your areolas and nipples become larger.
A pregnant woman's breast can grow to some extent due to hormonal changes, and even more during breastfeeding.
Immediately after giving birth, 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 several children, the effect can be more significant, and the size and shape of the breasts will be different after multiple births and feedings.
10. Contraception
Birth control not only prevents pregnancy and 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, their estrogen content was very high, which is why women's breasts became noticeably larger.
Modern products contain only one-fifth of the hormones that were originally present, so the effect is not as noticeable.However, it is perfectly normal if you notice a slight enlargement of your breasts when you start using hormone treatments.This is mainly due to the fact that estrogen leads to greater fluid retention in the body.
11. Your age
Your breasts are likely not 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 the loss of elasticity and stretching of the ligaments.
Although changes in the breast are a normal process, sudden enlargement, changes in the shape and density of the breasts should alarm you and be a reason to consult a doctor.
12. Good attitude
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It seems obvious enough, but this is another reason why you should stop bending over.With good posture, any breast will look firm and toned.
When you have a strong muscular corset, your back is well supported, there is no forward bending, your shoulders are not closed, your chest looks bigger, as it does not fall, but protrudes.
How to correct your posture
First of all, you must constantly be aware of how you carry your body.The habit of slouching 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.
- The knees are slightly bent and the feet are shoulder-width apart.
- Straighten your shoulders, arms hanging loosely at the sides of your body.
- Tighten your stomach.
- The head should be positioned so that the ears are at shoulder level.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 a long time.
13. Caffeine
Did you know that your coffee habit can affect your breasts?Researchers from Lund and Malmö University in Sweden 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 is unlikely to affect your bust 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 developing 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 atrophy of some of the breast tissue.
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 any changes in your breast tissue, so you should have your breasts checked regularly by your doctor.
15. Menopause
Breasts are hormonally dependent tissue, so it would be logical to assume that they will become smaller with the onset of menopause due to decreased estrogen levels.However, this 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 a shift in hormones that causes more fat to accumulate in the abdominal area.
Unfortunately, gaining more than 9 kilograms of weight increases the risk of developing breast cancer by 18 percent.
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.