Breast ptosis, or sagging breast, is a very common and frequent condition. Breasts, like any other part of a woman’s body, change over time. Your breasts may appear lower than your chest, and may point downwards, and the tops of your breasts may not be as full as they used to be when you were younger. As you age, it’s normal for your breasts to sag and droop.
The severity of breast ptosis is measured by the position of the nipple in relation to the breast fold. A nipple that is above the crease line is considered normal. If your nipple is flat with the fold, it is first-degree ptosis. Second degree ptosis is when the nipple is below the crease, and third degree ptosis is when the nipple points downward.
There are many myths about what causes sagging breasts, including breastfeeding and wearing a bra.
Breastfeeding
Breastfeeding causing saggy breasts is one of the most common myths out there. Misconceptions have caused women to choose not to breastfeed to avoid changing the shape of their breasts. In fact, research finds that after being given an educational intervention about what actually causes sagging breasts, women feel more confident about breastfeeding.
So, although pregnancy can cause breast changes, there has been no research to show a link between breastfeeding and sagging breasts. In other words, whether you’re breastfeeding or not, the stretching of Cooper’s ligaments that occurs during pregnancy actually causes them to sag and droop.
Wearing a Bra
Whether you wear a bra doesn’t cause or prevent your breasts from sagging. However, there are still many women who do not wear a bra of the right size. Research has found that ill-fitting bras can cause the following:
- Increased pressure on your shoulders from tight bra straps.
- Pain in the neck or back due to lack of sufficient support.
- Limited arm movement
- Weakness in your arms
So, while your bra won’t do much for sagging breasts, make sure you’re wearing the right size.
Can You Prevent Sagging Breasts?
Many industries capitalize on breast insecurity by selling special lotions, creams, and bras that they say can help women prevent sagging breasts. However, there are few actual repair options available. For example, you can fix sagging breasts with a breast lift, which is a common procedure.
However, sagging breasts are not related to significant health problems, so they do not require treatment. However, some people with sagging breasts may experience breast-related pain, usually because of the size of the breasts, not because of their sagging.
Nothing can prevent breasts from sagging. However, a person may choose to undergo surgery, especially if they experience debilitating back and shoulder pain due to larger breasts.
People can choose breast reduction surgery if they wish to reduce the size of their breasts, or a breast lift, also known as a mastopexy, is available to change the shape of the breasts but not their volume. Some people also receive breast implants during breast lift surgery.
There are risks in every surgery. Aesthetic surgery has a low incidence of significant complications (less than 1%).11 However, many minor complications may occur, including asymmetry, deformity, and recurrent sagging.
If a person feels treatment will improve their quality of life, if they experience back or shoulder pain due to the size of their breasts, it is a valid option.
