Although breast size seems to be predetermined, there are many factors that can influence breast size.
Monthly cycle fluctuations aren't the only reason why your breasts are getting bigger, feeling sore, or having other strange symptoms.
Many of the changes are related to hormone levels, but your breast size can also be affected by coffee consumption, weight changes, diet and physical activity.
It can be said that your breasts can say a lot about what's going on in your body and your health.
What factors really affect breast size?Let's find it.
1. Genetics
While genetics isn't a death sentence, it certainly plays a big role in determining your breast size.
Breast size is a combination of genetic and environmental factors.Some people tend to have large breasts.In addition, if we gain weight, our breasts will also get bigger.
Genes determine the basic parameters of the breast, not the 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 mom and sister are a size 3, you're necessarily the same size.However, the probability is much higher than for a woman born into a family with mostly first-sized breasts.
2. Training
In general, you are unlikely to notice any changes in your breasts, even when you engage in intense physical activities like lifting weights.The problem is that the mammary gland is located above the pectoral muscle and not part of it.
Many people believe that you can endlessly pump up the muscles located under the chest and this will not affect its shape and size.
Although 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 help strengthen the chest muscles.
- Do 3 sets of 20 push-ups at the start and the same number at the end of the workout.Use this complex at least 3 times a week.
- Chest fly is another useful exercise for the chest.Hold dumbbells (or water bottle) in hand, sit on a slightly tilted chair, feet on the floor.Extend your arms to the sides (arms should be slightly bent) at chest level, then bring them back.Do 3 sets of 15 reps each, three times a week.
3. Intimacy
The pleasure we experience during intimacy also temporarily increases breast size.
When we are aroused, our heart rate increases, increasing blood flow to various parts of the body, including the chest.This makes the breasts look fuller and larger, although this effect is transient and can vary from woman to woman, from barely noticeable to more dramatic.
In any case, you should not expect 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 certain foods have the ability to affect women's breast size.
During the transition period, estrogen hormone levels in girls increase, leading to breast development.At the end of the transition period, hormone levels normalize and breasts stay nearly the same size for life.
Because the hormone estrogen promotes breast growth, products containing estrogen analogs when ingested may also affect breast size.
Phytoestrogens are plant-based chemicals that attach to estrogen receptors in cells and act like this hormone.
Phytoestrogens include: tofu, green soybeans, soybeans, sunflower seeds and flaxseeds.Carrots and beets also contain phytoestrogens, but they are recommended to be consumed in moderation because the side effects of consuming large amounts of phytoestrogen-rich foods are not fully known.
5. Your weight
Breasts are made up of supporting tissue, mammary glands, and milk ducts, and the proportion 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 moderate amount of fat, you will notice a change in bust 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 when the weight fluctuates widely.
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 days 5-7 after the start of menstruation, estrogen and progesterone levels are low, and breast volume is smallest.Because your breasts are not affected much by hormones during this period, this is the most accurate indication of your breasts' true shape.
As hormone levels increase 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 undergoing 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 in your cycle, as it could simply be due to hormone fluctuations.If the condition does not go away, consult your doctor.
7. Spider bites
I don't know why, but for some reason, spiders like breasts.Some spider bites can cause inflammatory lumps, making women think they have breast cancer.
In fact, this 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
A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism found that lavender oil, often added to soaps, shampoos and laundry detergents, may cause abnormal breast development.
For example, in girls who developed premature breasts before age 8, symptoms of breast development stopped after they stopped using products containing lavender oil.
Lavender oil and tea tree oil are known to have properties that mimic estrogen and block testosterone.Scientists believe that these essential oils have anti-androgen properties, which explains breast growth.
9. Pregnancy and breastfeeding
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During pregnancy, your breasts also undergo changes to prepare your body for breastfeeding.Blood vessels, ducts, and lobules involved in milk production dilate and grow.This process results in greater sensitivity, heaviness, and increased breast size.You may also notice your areola and nipples getting larger.
Pregnant women's breasts can grow in many sizes due to hormonal changes, and even more so when breastfeeding.
Immediately after childbirth, the level of the hormone prolactin in the female body increases, as a result of which the breasts begin to secrete milk and swell more.As a rule, breasts return to normal size 3-6 months after the end of breastfeeding.
If a woman has multiple children, the effect may be more pronounced, and the size and shape of the breasts will vary after multiple births and breastfeeding.
10. Contraception
Birth control not only prevents pregnancy and helps regulate your menstrual cycle.In fact, hormonal methods like birth control pills and intrauterine devices can affect breast size.
When birth control pills were first introduced, the estrogen content in them was very high, which is why women's breasts became significantly larger.
Modern products only contain 1/5 of the original hormone, so the effect is not so obvious.However, it's completely normal if you notice your breasts are a bit enlarged when you first start using hormone treatments.This is mainly because estrogen leads to more water retention in the body.
11. Your age
Your breasts probably won't be the same as they were when you were 16 years old.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 breast changes are a normal process, sudden breast enlargement and changes in breast shape and density should alert you and be a reason to consult a doctor.
12. Good posture
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It seems pretty obvious, but here's another reason why you need to stop slouching.With good posture, any breasts will look firm and firm.
When you have a strong muscle corset, your back is well supported, it doesn't curve forward, the shoulders don't close in, the bust looks bigger because it's not pulled in but sticks out.
How to correct your posture
First of all, you need to be constantly aware of how to maintain your body.The habit of slouching is not easy to break, but the more often you think about your posture, the better it will become.
- Your weight should mainly rest on the ball of your foot.
- Your knees are slightly bent and your legs are shoulder-width apart.
- Straighten your shoulders and let your arms hang freely on either side of your body.
- Tighten your abdomen.
- The head should be placed 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 long periods of time.
13. Caffeine
Did you know that drinking coffee can affect your breasts?Researchers from Lund and Malmö Universities in Sweden have found that consuming too much coffee can cause smaller breasts.
If you drink no more than one or two cups of coffee a day, this is unlikely to affect your bust size.However, women who drank more than 3 cups of coffee a day had breasts that were on average 17% smaller than those who did not drink coffee.
Scientists say nearly 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 whether your breasts are getting bigger or not.However, breast implants can cause some breast tissue to atrophy.
This is because the implants put pressure on the breast tissue, causing it to deteriorate over time.
And by the way, if you have breast implants, you're less likely to notice any changes in your breast tissue, so you should have your doctor check your breasts regularly.
15. Menopause
Breasts are hormone-dependent tissue, so it is reasonable to assume that they will become smaller with the onset of menopause due to reduced estrogen levels.However, this is not entirely true.
On average, women gain half a kilogram each year after menopause.This is due to decreased physical activity and lean muscle mass, as well as hormonal changes that cause more fat to accumulate in the abdominal area.
Unfortunately, gaining more than 9 kg 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.