Although breast size seems predetermined, there are many factors that can affect breast size.
Fluctuations in your monthly cycle aren't the only reason your breasts get bigger and smaller, sore, or have other strange symptoms.
Many of the changes are related to hormone levels, but breast size 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 find out.
1. Genetics
While genetics is not a death sentence, it certainly plays a big role in what size breasts you will have.
Breast size is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Some people have a predisposition to large breasts.Also, if we gain weight, our breasts also get bigger.
Genes determine the basic parameters of the breasts, but not the actual size.
For example, genetic predisposition affects the sagging, volume and shape of the breasts.But breast size can change throughout life.
This does not 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 are 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, the mammary gland is located on top of the pectoral muscle, not 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 increase the size of the breasts, training the pectoral muscles can create the illusion of larger and firmer breasts.
Push-ups, bench press, chest 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 flyes 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 out to the sides (arms should be slightly bent) to chest level and then bring them back.Do 3 sets of 15 reps three times a week.
3. Intimacy
The pleasure we feel during intimacy also temporarily increases the size of the breasts.
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 fleeting and can vary for women from barely noticeable to more impressive.
In any case, you shouldn't expect much from physical proximity alone.Once you get back on track, your breasts will also return to their normal size.
4. Phytoestrogen products
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Experts claim that certain foods have the ability to affect 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, the hormone levels normalize and the breasts remain almost the same size for life.
Because 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, green soybeans, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and flaxseeds.Carrots and beets also contain phytoestrogens, but it is recommended that they be consumed 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 decent amount of fat, you will notice changes in your bust size when you lose weight or gain weight.
Most likely, the difference will be minor if you lose or gain a few pounds, 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 the 5-7th day after the onset of menstruation, low levels of estrogen and progesterone are observed, and breast volume is at its 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 in your breasts, keep an eye out for changes at different times of your cycle, as it may simply be due to hormonal fluctuations.If the condition persists, 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 a sore lump, which can make a woman think she has breast cancer.
In fact, this 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, 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, may 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 the growth of breasts.
9. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
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During pregnancy, your breasts also undergo changes that prepare your body to nurse your baby.The blood vessels, ducts and lobules involved in milk production expand and grow.This process leads to more tenderness, heaviness and enlargement of the breasts.You may also notice that your areolas and nipples get bigger.
A pregnant woman's breasts can become several sizes due to hormonal changes and even more during breastfeeding.
Soon after childbirth, the level of the hormone prolactin in the woman's body increases, 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 many births and breastfeedings.
10. Contraception
Birth control not only prevents pregnancy, it also helps regulate your menstrual cycle.Hormonal methods, such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices, can actually affect breast size.
When oral contraceptives first appeared, their estrogen content was very high, which caused women's breasts to become significantly larger.
Modern products contain only one fifth of the hormones that were originally present, so the effect is not as noticeable.However, it is completely normal if you notice a slight enlargement of your breasts 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 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 loss of elasticity and stretched ligaments.
Although changes in the breasts 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 posture
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It seems pretty obvious, but it's yet another reason why you should stop slouching.With good posture, each breast will look firm and firm.
When you have a strong muscular corset, your back is well supported, there is no forward bending, your shoulders are not closed, your breasts look bigger because they do not fall in, but come forward.
How to correct your posture
First of all, you must constantly be aware of how you hold 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.
- Your knees are slightly bent and your feet shoulder-width apart.
- Straighten your shoulders, arms hang freely at the sides of the 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 long periods of 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 will hardly affect your bust size.However, women who consumed more than three cups of coffee daily 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 advantages.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, the presence of breast implants can lead to atrophy of part of the breast tissue.
This is because the implants put pressure on the breast tissue, which will cause it to break down over time.
And by the way, if you have breast implants, it's harder to notice any changes in the breast tissue, so you should have your breasts checked by your doctor regularly.
15. Menopause
Breasts are hormone-dependent tissue, so it would be logical to assume that they would become smaller with the onset of menopause due to a decrease in 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 change in hormones that causes more fat to accumulate in the abdominal area.
Unfortunately, gaining more than 9 kilograms increases the risk of developing breast cancer by 18 percent.
Also, 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.