If the right breast is larger. Why are breasts different sizes?

“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 it (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 armpits.

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.

Mothers can detect a difference between the breasts at any age of the child - at a month, at six months, and closer to a year. Of course, the younger the baby is, the easier it is to return the breasts to the same size, but even if you have had one breast noticeably larger than the other for several months, you can still change the organization of feeding so that the size begins to even out.

Why are the breasts different?

The main reason that the breasts have become different is unequal stimulation. It turns out that one breast receives a request for more milk, and the other for less. Here are the situations in which this can happen:

• 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.

Depending on the reason, the mother’s actions to equalize the sizes will vary slightly.

How to equalize breast size?

So, we found the probable cause. It is probably already clear that now the main change in the organization of feeding should be aimed at reducing stimulation of the larger breast and increasing stimulation of the smaller one. This is not difficult to do when the asymmetry is caused by night feedings on one side or predominant feeding from one breast due to convenience for the mother. Specifically, it is enough to change the following:

• 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.

As a result of these actions, you will end up with the smaller breast being empty all the time, and the baby actively stimulating it to produce milk, while the larger breast should not be completely emptied, which will entail a slight decrease in milk production in this breast. Thus, gradually in the smaller breast the amount of milk will increase, and its size will become larger; but in larger breasts, on the contrary, there will be less milk and the size will decrease. As soon as the size is equal, try to ensure that the baby sucks on both breasts approximately equally during the day.

Special situations

You probably noticed that we have not dealt with all the causes of breast asymmetry. The fact is that in other situations everything will not be so simple.

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

Your breasts are still the same size, and you don’t want them to become different sizes? Then pay attention to the following points:

• 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.

Finally, if any of your questions are not answered by this article, please call us and ask! We will be happy to help you.

“Why is one breast larger than the other?” - how often girls who have started puberty ask a similar question to their mothers, sisters, older friends or just friends.

Puberty in girls occurs from 8-9 to 17-18 years. From about 10 years of age, the formation and growth of the mammary glands begins, but the penultimate stage of breast formation ends only at the age of 16-17, and the final size of the mammary gland can only be determined after breastfeeding. During this time, breasts can grow quickly or practically stop growing. In addition, the enlargement of the mammary glands may not occur proportionately. For a while, one breast may be larger than the other, and over time they may switch places. All this is within normal limits and there is no cause for concern.

It happens when puberty seems to have ended, but upon closer examination you can notice a difference in breast size. And this is also not a reason to worry at all.

Nothing in our body is symmetrical. If you look closely, our palms, feet, and eyes are different. Don't believe it? In order to check this you need to take your photo. Preferably a portrait photo. Take a mirror and place it exactly in the middle of your face, at an angle of 90 degrees. First, look at what happens when the left half of the face is reflected in the mirror, then turn the mirror and look at the reflection of the right half. How? Are you impressed? So, if the difference between the left and right breasts is slightly noticeable and does not cause you any inconvenience, then the problem called “one breast is larger than the other” can be crossed off the list of current ones.

What to do if one breast becomes larger than the other during pregnancy and/or lactation?

The question that one breast is larger than the other is also often encountered during pregnancy or breastfeeding. And in this case, there is no need to worry. The reason is simple - lactation, that is, the production of breast milk by our mammary glands, which is necessary for feeding the baby. And the fact that one gland produces more milk than the other is quite natural.

When you are breastfeeding, the solution may be to put your baby on the smaller breast more often and for longer. Or pumping. Breastfeeding experts say that the more milk a baby eats, the more milk comes in. Try adjusting the process yourself. Look, everything will work out.

If this simple method cannot solve the problem, you should consult a doctor. There are also so-called “breastfeeding specialists” who will advise you not only on the difference in breast size, but also give practical advice on breastfeeding. Since the reason that one breast is larger than the other can also be hidden in improper attachment to the breast.

What else could be the reason that one breast is much larger than the other?

The alarm should be sounded when all stages of breast formation have ended, and the difference in the sizes of the left and right breasts is significant. It happens that at a fairly mature age, in the absence of previously significant asymmetry, a woman notices that one breast has suddenly become larger than the other. The reasons may vary from hormonal imbalance to, God forbid, a tumor.

In this case, only a mammologist (breast specialist) can explain the cause and help solve the problem. Moreover, in any case, it is better not to delay going to him. There is no need to be afraid; most likely, he will prescribe an ultrasound of the mammary glands and a consultation with an endocrinologist who will check the presence and proper production of hormones in your body.

Most girls' breasts are not symmetrical. If the difference is small, then it does not cause discomfort. With a significant difference in shape and size, the girl feels, at a minimum, embarrassment from the aesthetic appearance. A change in breast symmetry can be observed at different periods of a woman’s life. Let's figure out what is normal and in what situations you should visit a doctor.

What types of asymmetry are there?

Diagnosed breast asymmetry can be of the following types:

1. Hyperplasia of one mammary gland: a hypertrophied state of enlargement of one gland in relation to the normal second.
2. : asymmetrical enlargement of both glands.
3. Hypoplasia of one mammary gland: underdevelopment of one gland with normal shape and size of the second.
4. Hypoplasia of two glands: underdevelopment of the entire breast to varying degrees, possibly combined with breast ptosis - ptosis.
5. Hypoplasia of one gland and hyperplasia of the other: asymmetry with underdevelopment of one breast and enlargement of the other.
6. Unilateral underdevelopment of the chest area, mammary gland and pectoral muscles.

Why is one breast larger than the other?

There are only 2 causes of asymmetry: congenital and acquired.

Main reasons

The most common reasons are:

1. Hormonal imbalance during puberty.
2. Pregnancy and lactation period.
3. Trauma and mechanical damage.
4. Neoplasms.

Congenital factors

Congenital breast anomaly leads to either micromastia, that is, reduced size, or hypermastia, an enlargement of the mammary gland.

If there is asymmetry, pay attention to posture. The degree of curvature of the spinal column can determine the appearance of the mammary glands. For example, breasts may appear to be different sizes, but with a bent back. When your posture is straightened, your chest becomes symmetrical. This is due to the fact that with scoliosis, asymmetry of the entire body occurs and the two breasts may be at different levels. Therefore, even mammary glands that are completely identical in shape and size look different.

If breast asymmetry is not only visual, then this is due to improper development and growth of the mammary glands during puberty. Hormonal imbalances and gynecological diseases can significantly affect the proper formation of female breasts.

By the age of 17-20, the breasts are fully formed. In this case, a slight difference may be observed, which is normal. If by the age of 20 asymmetry of the mammary glands is noticeable, then you need to visit a doctor. The mammologist will examine the breasts and conduct diagnostics. Afterwards, you may need the help of a plastic surgeon. If the strong difference in the mammary glands is ignored, then during pregnancy it becomes more noticeable.

Acquired asymmetry factors

Breasts may have asymmetry for acquired reasons:

1. Trauma and mechanical damage: Even trauma in childhood can have an impact many years later during breast development.
2. Neoplasms: with unhealthy tissue growth, when a neoplasm is formed, the breasts change both in size and shape.
3. Pregnancy and lactation: asymmetry after these stages is not the norm.
4. Hormonal disorders.
5. Inflammatory diseases of the breast and reproductive system.
6. Blocked milk ducts.
7. Age asymmetry.

In the case of an acquired cause for the formation of a difference in the mammary glands, you should definitely visit a mammologist.

Impact of pregnancy and lactation

During pregnancy, women notice changes in their breasts. A hormonal shift occurs, which leads to swelling of the mammary glands.

Next comes the process of lactation. In this case, uneven feeding occurs when a woman prefers to feed with one breast. During feeding, asymmetry can be combated by artificially expressing milk from the breast that is less used when breastfeeding the baby.

With the correct course of the lactation period, signs of asymmetry disappear after the end of the feeding period.

If one breast is larger than the other in a little girl

Various reasons can cause breast asymmetry in girls. It depends on the age of the child.

Asymmetry of the mammary glands before adolescence

Parents are alarmed when their little daughters have breast asymmetry.

In newborn babies, an enlargement of one or both glands may be associated with a sexual crisis. The pituitary system begins to work intensively. This phenomenon normally disappears by 2-3 weeks of life. In this case, the mammary glands may shrink and even out in shape, or remain the same, but without further enlargement. A rare exception is regression of the mammary glands at 8-10 months. This is not the norm, therefore, you need to visit a pediatrician.

During natural feeding, some of the hormones enter the child’s body, which affects the condition of the girl’s mammary glands. When breastfeeding is stopped, signs of asymmetry in the baby's breasts should disappear.

A change in the size of one or two mammary glands can be observed in girls aged 1-3 years, or 6-8 years. This phenomenon occurs during premature sexual development. This thelarche is isolated in nature. Other signs of puberty are not detected, such as hair growth in the armpits, pubis, distribution of adipose tissue according to the female type, menstruation, growth spurt. Mastalgia occurs with the development of adipose tissue of the gland ducts. The left mammary gland is growing more.

Premature thelarche brings discomfort to the child. It indicates the presence of abnormalities in the body. For example, temporary cystic changes in the ovaries, increased sensitivity to hormones, hypothyroidism, etc.

Monitoring by a pediatrician is required. In the absence of serious causes of pathology, the girl’s health is simply monitored.

Breast asymmetry in adolescence

Adolescence in girls is characterized by the acquisition of the forms of an adult woman. This process does not happen quickly, over several years.

A strong hormonal change occurs. In this case, the mammary glands most often develop unevenly. So, at the age of 11 to 15 years, the mammary glands can differ significantly in shape and size from each other. There is no reason to panic if lumps are not palpable in the chest, there is no pain or tingling, and there is no decrease in the girl’s appetite or weight.

Normally, this difference should decrease by 17-20 years. If this does not happen, you need to consult a mammologist for consultation and examination.

If one nipple is larger than the other

Nipple size or asymmetry is normal, even if they are different. This is an individual feature of the body. If your nipples have not become dramatically different, then there is no need to worry.

Changes in nipple size can occur during lactation. After stopping feeding, the nipple either returns to its previous shape or does not continue to grow.

If one nipple has suddenly become larger, this may indicate a hormonal imbalance. For example, such a side effect can occur from improper use of oral contraceptives. Also, an enlargement of one nipple is observed when one becomes overweight.

If, in addition to changes in size, swelling and lumps are observed in the breast near the nipple, then you need to visit a mammologist. When conducting a diagnosis, the doctor will either deny the presence of a neoplasm or confirm it.

What to do if one breast is larger than the other: correction methods

Before prescribing correction of breast asymmetry, the doctor must identify the cause. So, if the asymmetry is caused by feeding the baby, then lactation adjustment is possible. This will help avoid surgery.

If there are tumors that affect the size of the mammary gland, they are surgically excised. Other cases of differences in breast size and shape are corrected through plastic surgery.

Preparing for breast surgery

First of all, a consultation with a breast surgeon and/or a plastic surgeon is necessary. Next, the doctor listens to the patient’s preferences and the result she would like to see from the operation.

The next step is a breast examination. The doctor measures the size and explains the nuances that explain the asymmetry.

After discussing the operation, the patient's health is examined. It is necessary to go to specialists and take tests:

• examination by a mammologist;
• Breast ultrasound;
• mammography (mandatory for women over 45 years old);
• blood and urine tests;
• consultation with an anesthesiologist (in some cases carried out immediately before surgery).

10 days before the operation, you should stop taking medications containing lecithin and vitamin E. The evening before the operation, you should take a bath. A light dinner is allowed no later than 19 pm. On the day of the operation, eating and drinking, including water, is prohibited.

Endoprosthetics

It involves the addition of a silicone endoprosthesis to the mammary gland. Indications for this operation may be hypoplasia of one of the mammary glands. It is also possible to adjust the size of both mammary glands. So, a larger implant is inserted into a smaller mammary gland, and a smaller one into a larger breast. As a result, the size and shape of the glands are visually equal.

Endoprosthetics begins with tests and diagnostic procedures. Then the doctor carefully individually selects the implants according to shape and size.

Reduction plastic

Designed to reduce the size of the mammary gland. If a woman has smaller breasts as normal, then larger ones may undergo this operation.

In this case, part of the breast and skin is excised. A new, smaller breast is formed that is equal to the normal smaller breast. As a result, the chest is aligned.

Mastopexy

Used in cases of ptosis or sagging breasts. This can be either a congenital anomaly or the result of improper feeding during lactation, or a sudden loss of excess weight.

In this case, the breasts can not only be lowered, but also vary in shape and size. The breasts are corrected by tightening the skin. The mammary gland is not affected.

Before the operation, the doctor selects the method of breast excision and makes markings. The result is a breast that is the same natural size and has a round, normal shape.

Recovery period after surgery

After surgery, the body needs to adapt after anesthesia. During this period, you may feel dizzy and have headaches. Sometimes the doctor prohibits sleep after anesthesia to prevent complications.

Bandages must be applied to the chest and a holding bra must be worn. Then the doctor prescribes a course of dressing changes and a time for suture removal, if necessary. The doctor prescribes antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs to prevent complications from the operation.

After the sutures are removed, scars may appear for the first time. To reduce them, you can ask your doctor to prescribe special ointments. After 2 months, the scars are noticeable to a lesser extent, the bright color and bulge disappear. After six months they become almost completely invisible.

After the operation, a woman must see a mammologist at least once a year.

Differences in the size of the mammary glands are a common occurrence in women of different ages. A visit to a mammologist will help you understand the causes of this asymmetry. If the difference is very noticeable and confuses the owner, then plastic surgery is necessary. Can be used to eliminate asymmetry of surgery with or without endoprostheses. As a result, a woman gets beautiful, healthy breasts of ideal shape and size.

Quite often, young women turn to specialists with the problem of differences in the size of the mammary glands. Like any paired organ of the human body, breasts cannot be perfectly identical. However, if the difference is 1-2 sizes, a doctor’s intervention is required, since this pathology can negatively affect a woman’s health.

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Causes of differences in breast size

This condition is described in sufficient detail in the medical literature. Mammologists divide all problems of different volumes of mammary glands into congenital and acquired.

The congenital difference in the size of the mammary glands depends entirely on the hormonal maturation of the young girl. As you know, breast growth begins at the age of 8-10 years and is achieved through the stroma. The growth of the mammary gland parenchyma begins after the arrival of menstruation and ends after the first timely birth.

Ovarian hormones play a major role in the growth of mammary glands. Estrogens are responsible for the development of the cellular composition of female breast tissue, and progesterone affects the formation of a sufficient number of alveoli and milk ducts.

Experts believe that it is various hormonal factors that can lead to differences in the growth of the mammary glands. At the same time, pediatricians rarely pay attention to the ratio of estrogen and progesterone in a growing body, and girls with a similar pathology are mainly treated by a surgeon with a diagnosis of mastopathy.

With proper monitoring and appropriate treatment, in 70% of cases in young women, breasts become identical by the age of 18-19. If this does not happen, treatment should be continued, since problems with different sizes of mammary glands will only intensify during pregnancy, which may affect the feeding of the child.

The reasons for the acquired difference in breast size can be different:

• In the first place in the occurrence of asymmetry of the mammary glands is pregnancy.
• The most dangerous causes of differences in breast size are mastopathy and/or.
• Consequences of mechanical impact on the female breast. If there has been a trauma to the mammary glands, given the glandular nature of the breast tissue and massive blood supply, the consequences of the bruise will last for a long time and be accompanied by swelling, while the size of the injured organ will be significantly larger than that of a healthy mammary gland.

The breast is a rather dangerous organ from a traumatic point of view, and bruises received in childhood can negatively affect the growth of the mammary gland during puberty.

Breast asymmetry and pregnancy

The process of pregnancy and childbirth itself does not have any effect on the growth of the size of the mammary glands. For the formation of asymmetry of the mammary glands in a woman, the process of lactation and feeding the child is important.

The anatomical structure of the mammary gland is characterized by the presence of a large number of alveoli formed by glands that secrete milk. The milk ducts carry milk from the alveoli into the lacteal sinuses, where it is stored before feeding. All these ducts and alveoli are surrounded by connective and fatty tissue. It is these tissues that give the mammary gland its shape and determine its size.

The amount of milk produced depends on the hormones oxytocin and prolactin, and the release of these substances is directly related to the stimulation of the nipple and areola during feeding of the baby. Here are some reasons for different development of mammary glands during feeding:

• The presence of cracks and abrasions on the nipple of one of the breasts. This pathology causes pain, and the woman feeds only healthy breasts, which leads to its growth.
• The young mother has a history of various breast diseases. Injuries and mastopathy can lead to decreased lactation, which will affect the size of the diseased breast.
• Poor preparation of a woman for the feeding process. A woman feeds at night with only one breast, the process of pumping from different mammary glands proceeds differently, the child gives preference to one of the breasts due to a history of nipple trauma - all this can lead to abnormal growth of the mammary glands.

During pregnancy, there are no special rules to prevent the development of breast asymmetry. You just need to fulfill all the requirements for proper feeding of the baby, pumping and maintaining breast hygiene.

It is important to feed the baby equally from both breasts: if the baby has enough milk from one breast, the woman should carefully express the other breast, since the inhibitor contained in the milk can lead to the cessation of milk secretion from this breast.

Carrying out daily toileting of the mammary glands and the whole body is a necessary condition for preventing inflammatory diseases of the mammary gland. If a nursing mother experiences manifestations of lactostasis or lactation mastitis, she should immediately seek help from a specialist. Timely treatment of inflammatory processes in the mammary gland during feeding will help to avoid big troubles with a woman’s health.

Difference in breast size as a manifestation of mastopathy or tumors

If the difference in breast size is not related to breastfeeding and has not resolved by the time of the first birth, the woman should seek advice from an oncologist or mammologist. Various benign processes of the mammary glands can lead to an increase in the size of one of the breasts. This may include:

• nodular mastopathy;
• benign tumors of the mammary glands.

The main thing in this case is to determine the quality of the process. If, after mammography, ultrasound and puncture biopsy of the breast, specialists conclude that there are no symptoms of breast cancer, the woman can limit herself to non-drug treatment. This includes, first of all, the normalization of sexual and reproductive function. Stimulation of the smaller mammary gland will promote the production of hormones and, accordingly, the growth of this organ.

A special role is given to diet correction. The patient should exclude from the diet foods that cause gastrointestinal disorders and lead to the development of metabolic and hormonal disorders in the body. Recommended daily consumption:

• fish,
• seafood;
• wholemeal bread;
• dried apricots;
• raisins;
• various vitamin and mineral food supplements.

If a process in the mammary gland requires special drug treatment, doctors suggest using the following regimen:

• hepatoprotectors to normalize metabolic processes in the body;
• psychotropic drugs to relieve various phobias associated with breast disease;
• vitamin complexes;
• homeopathic medicines to normalize a woman’s hormonal levels (especially mastodione and clamina).

Operative solution to the problem of different mammary glands

If drug therapy is not successful, the problem of breast asymmetry can be solved. There are enough techniques that allow women to enlarge one breast using or reduce the size of a larger breast.

Such operations can be recommended for women who have suffered trauma to the mammary glands or have had different breasts since birth. If imbalances have formed after feeding a child, modern plastic surgery suggests combining breast augmentation surgery with a simultaneous breast lift.

Any cosmetic intervention on the mammary glands is possible only after consultation with an oncologist. Breast augmentation surgery in the presence of mastopathy or benign tumors is often a trigger for the degeneration of a benign process into an oncological disease. Any woman wants to look aesthetically perfect, and different sizes of mammary glands do not add to her attractiveness. The main thing is not to miss really serious problems with your breasts in the pursuit of beauty and ideal.