Although breast size may seem predetermined, there are many factors that can affect breast size.
Monthly cycle fluctuations aren't the only reason your breasts get bigger and smaller, feel sore, or experience other strange symptoms.
Many of the changes are related to hormone levels, but 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 really influence breast size?Let's find out.
1. Genetics
While genetics is not a death sentence, it certainly plays a big role in the size of the breasts you will have.
Breast size is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Some people are predisposed to large breasts.Furthermore, if we gain weight, our breasts will also become larger.
Genes determine the basic parameters of the breast, but not the actual size.
For example, genetic predisposition affects sagging, volume and shape of the breasts.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 who was born into a family where there were predominantly early breast sizes.
2. Training
In general, you are unlikely to notice any changes in your breasts, even if you engage in intense physical activity such as weight lifting.It turns out that the mammary gland is located on top of the pectoral muscle, not part of it.
Many people believe that you can endlessly pump up the muscles located under the chest, and this will in no way affect their shape and size.
While the exercises themselves won't make your breasts bigger, training your pectoral muscles can create the illusion of larger, firmer breasts.
Push-ups, bench presses, chest 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 chest exercise.Take dumbbells (or water bottles) in your hands, sit on a slightly inclined bench, keep your feet on the floor.Extend your arms to the sides (your arms should be slightly bent) to chest height and then bring them back.Do 3 sets of 15 repetitions three times a week.
3. Intimacy
The pleasure we feel during intimacy also temporarily increases the size of our breasts.
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 between women, from barely noticeable to more impressive.
Either way, you shouldn't expect too 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 influence the size of a woman's breasts.
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 breasts remain almost the same size throughout life.
Since the hormone estrogen promotes breast growth, products containing an estrogen analogue, when ingested, can also affect breast size.
Phytoestrogens are plant-derived chemicals that bind to estrogen receptors in cells and behave like this hormone.
Phytoestrogens include: tofu, green soybeans, soybeans, sunflower seeds and flaxseed.Carrots and beets also contain phytoestrogens, but it is recommended that they be consumed in moderation, as the side effects of consuming large quantities 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 supporting tissue than fat and vice versa.If your breasts contain a fair 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 large weight fluctuations.
6. Phases of the menstrual cycle
The menstrual cycle can be 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, mainly from the 5th to the 7th day after the start of menstruation, low levels of estrogen and progesterone are observed, and breast volume is smaller.Because your breasts are not as affected by hormones during this time, 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 greatest 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 hormonal fluctuations.If the condition does not go away, see a doctor.
7. Spider bites
It is not known why, 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.Either way, if you suspect a spider bite, see a doctor.
Breast cancer doesn't appear overnight, so if you notice redness, swelling and inflammation suddenly, it could be an insect 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, 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 antiandrogenic properties, which explains breast growth.
9. Pregnancy and lactation
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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 greater sensitivity, heaviness and increased breast size.You may also notice that your areolas and nipples are getting larger.
A pregnant woman's breasts can grow several sizes due to hormonal changes and even more so during breastfeeding.
Shortly after giving birth, the level of the hormone prolactin increases in a woman's body, causing her breasts to begin producing milk and swell even more.As a rule, breasts return to normal size 3 to 6 months after breastfeeding ends.
If a woman has several children, the effect may be more significant, and the size and shape of the breasts will be different after several births and feedings.
10. Contraception
Birth control not only prevents pregnancy and helps regulate the menstrual cycle.Hormonal methods such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices can, in fact, affect breast size.
When oral contraceptives were released, the estrogen content in them was very high, which is why women's breasts became significantly larger.
Modern products contain only a fifth of the hormones originally present, so the effect is not as noticeable.However, it is completely normal to notice a slight increase in your breasts when you start using hormonal treatments.This is mainly due to the fact that estrogen leads to greater 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 the loss of elasticity and stretching of the ligaments.
Although breast changes 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
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It seems pretty obvious, but this is another reason why you need to stop slouching.With good posture, any breast will be firm and toned.
When you have a strong muscular corset, your back is well supported, there is no forward tilt, your shoulders are not closed, your chest appears larger as it does not fall, but protrudes.
How to correct your posture
Firstly, you need to be constantly aware of how you maintain your body.It's not that easy to get rid of the habit of slouching, but the more you think about your posture, the better it will become.
- Your weight should rest mainly on the balls of your feet.
- The knees are slightly bent and the feet are shoulder-width apart.
- Straighten your shoulders, arms hanging freely at your sides.
- Tighten your stomach.
- The head should be positioned so that the ears are at shoulder height.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 need to stand for a long time.
13. Caffeine
Did you know that a coffee habit can affect your breasts?Researchers at Lund University and Malmö University in Sweden have discovered 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 bust size.However, women who consumed more than three cups of coffee daily had breasts that were, on average, 17% smaller than those who didn't drink coffee.
Scientists say nearly 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 getting bigger.However, having breast implants can cause part of the breast tissue to atrophy.
This is because 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 take your breasts to the doctor regularly.
15. Menopause
Breasts are hormone-dependent tissues, 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 pound per year after menopause.This is due to a decrease in physical activity and a decrease in lean muscle mass, as well as a change in hormones that causes more fat to accumulate in the abdominal area.
Unfortunately, gaining more than 20 pounds of weight increases your risk of developing breast cancer by 18%.
Additionally, Cooper's ligaments, a connective tissue that acts like an internal bra, stretch over time.
Because of this, with age, breasts become softer and begin to sag.