Are Your Big Breasts Causing You Problems?

Having large breasts is not, in itself, a medical problem. Plenty of women have naturally larger breasts and experience no particular difficulties because of them.

For others, however, the size and weight of their breasts can begin to affect everyday life in ways they may simply have learned to put up with. Persistent neck and shoulder pain, uncomfortable bra straps, sore skin beneath the breasts or avoiding certain types of exercise can gradually become part of normal life.

If that sounds familiar, it is worth considering whether the size and weight of your breasts may be contributing.

It does not necessarily mean that breast reduction surgery is the answer. Pain can have many causes, and surgery should never be approached lightly. But understanding the possible connection is a useful first step.

1. You regularly have pain in your neck, shoulders or upper back

One of the most common problems associated with very large or heavy breasts is discomfort across the neck, shoulders and upper back.

The additional weight at the front of the body can place strain on the muscles supporting the upper body. For some women, this becomes a persistent ache rather than an occasional problem.

You might particularly notice discomfort:

towards the end of the day
after standing or walking for long periods
during or after exercise
when you have been unable to wear a sufficiently supportive bra

However, back, neck and shoulder pain can have many other causes. It is important not to assume that breast size is responsible for every ache or pain.

BAAPS notes that symptoms such as back, neck and shoulder discomfort can be associated with large breasts, although other musculoskeletal causes should also be considered.

2. Your bra straps leave deep grooves in your shoulders

A supportive bra has to carry a considerable amount of weight when breasts are particularly large.

You may find that straps dig into your shoulders or leave deep red marks and indentations by the end of the day. Wider straps and professional bra fitting can help, but some women find that even a properly fitted bra remains uncomfortable because of the weight it has to support.

Persistent shoulder grooving is one of the recognised problems associated with very large breasts.

3. The skin underneath your breasts is frequently sore

The fold beneath a large breast can become warm and moist, particularly in warmer weather or when exercising.

This can lead to:

redness
chafing
itching
soreness
recurrent rashes or skin irritation

Keeping the area cool and dry can help, but frequent irritation can become uncomfortable and frustrating.

If you develop a persistent rash, broken skin or signs of infection, speak to your GP rather than assuming it is simply something you have to live with.

4. Exercise is uncomfortable because of your breasts

This is one of the issues patients sometimes minimise.

You may want to exercise, but running hurts. A high-impact class feels uncomfortable. Swimming or gym clothes are difficult to find. Or you find yourself holding your breasts when moving quickly because even a supportive sports bra does not provide enough support.

Over time, that can affect far more than sport.

Perhaps you avoid running for a bus. You choose activities according to how much movement will be involved. Or you have stopped doing something you previously enjoyed because it simply is not comfortable anymore.

Difficulty taking part in sport and exercise is recognised as one of the problems that can be associated with very large breasts.

5. Finding clothes that fit has become a constant problem

Large breasts can make buying clothes surprisingly complicated.

A dress may fit perfectly everywhere apart from the bust. A shirt that fits across the chest may feel much too large elsewhere. You might avoid particular necklines, fitted clothing or buttoned tops because they simply do not sit comfortably.

For some women this is a minor inconvenience. For others, it becomes something they have to think about every time they get dressed.

It is also one of those difficulties that can be hard to explain to somebody who has never experienced it.

6. You feel you are constantly adjusting, supporting or accommodating your breasts

Sometimes it is not one major symptom but lots of small adjustments.

You may regularly reposition your bra straps. You might lift your breasts to relieve pressure underneath them, alter your sleeping position because lying comfortably is difficult, or find yourself thinking about support and clothing before deciding what to do.

Individually, those things may seem insignificant.

Collectively, they can tell you quite a lot about how much your breast size is affecting your day-to-day comfort.

7. You feel self-conscious about the size of your breasts

There is an important distinction between disliking part of your appearance and experiencing genuine distress because of it.

Some women with very large breasts describe feeling conspicuous or receiving unwanted attention because of their chest. Others deliberately dress to disguise their breasts or feel uncomfortable in situations where their shape is more noticeable.

There is nothing inherently wrong with having large breasts, and nobody should feel that they need surgery simply because their body does not conform to a particular ideal.

But if your breasts are significantly affecting your confidence, comfort or the way you live, those feelings are worth discussing.

How do you know whether your breasts are actually causing the problem?

There is no single test.

One useful question is whether you experience a pattern of problems rather than one isolated symptom.

For example, somebody experiencing shoulder pain alone may have any number of underlying causes. Someone experiencing shoulder pain alongside deep bra-strap grooves, recurring irritation beneath the breasts and difficulty exercising because of breast weight has a clearer pattern to discuss with a doctor or plastic surgeon.

It is still important to consider other explanations rather than assuming breast reduction will automatically solve every problem.

That is one reason a proper consultation matters.

Can losing weight reduce breast size?

Sometimes.

Breasts contain both fatty and glandular tissue, and weight loss can reduce breast volume in some women. In others it makes considerably less difference.

Where someone is above a healthy weight, achieving a stable weight before considering surgery can also be important for both safety and the predictability of the eventual result.

But breast size is influenced by more than body weight alone. Genetics, hormones, age and the proportion of glandular tissue within the breast all play a part.

BAAPS explains that weight loss can reduce breast size for some patients, but it does not necessarily produce a significant change for everyone.

Is there anything you can try before considering surgery?

Yes, and breast reduction should not automatically be the first step.

Depending on the problems you are experiencing, it may be worth trying:

a professional bra fitting
a specialist high-support sports bra
physiotherapy for back, shoulder or neck pain
adjustments to exercise
reaching and maintaining a stable weight where appropriate
speaking to your GP about persistent pain or skin irritation

Sometimes these measures make a significant difference.

Sometimes they do not.

If your breasts continue to cause considerable physical or emotional difficulties despite trying more conservative measures, you may decide you would like to understand the surgical options.

When might breast reduction surgery be worth considering?

Breast reduction surgery removes excess breast tissue, fat and skin before reshaping the remaining breast.

For women whose symptoms are genuinely related to the size and weight of their breasts, reducing that weight may help with problems such as neck, back and shoulder discomfort, skin irritation and difficulty exercising.

It is important, however, to have realistic expectations.

Breast reduction is major surgery. It involves permanent scars and carries risks, and it cannot guarantee that problems such as back pain will disappear completely.

The decision therefore needs to be based on your individual circumstances rather than simply your bra size.

You can read more about what the operation involves on Mr Wilson’s breast reduction surgery page.

Is there a breast size that is considered “too big”?

No.

There is no particular cup size at which breasts suddenly become medically too large.

Bra sizing is also surprisingly inconsistent between brands, so cup size on its own tells us relatively little.

What matters more is the relationship between your breasts and your individual frame, together with the effect they are having on you.

Two women wearing the same bra size may have completely different experiences. One may be perfectly comfortable while the other has significant physical symptoms.

A consultation should therefore be about you, rather than achieving or avoiding a particular number or cup size.

What happens at a breast reduction consultation?

A consultation gives you the opportunity to talk properly about what is bothering you rather than simply deciding whether you “qualify” for an operation.

Mr Wilson will ask about the problems you are experiencing, your general health and medical history, and what you hope might change.

He will also examine your breasts and discuss whether breast reduction is likely to be appropriate, what sort of result may realistically be achievable and the scars and risks involved.

You should come away with enough information to think about your decision carefully. There should never be pressure to proceed.

You do not have to simply put up with it

Many women live with problems associated with large breasts for years because they assume there is nothing that can be done or worry that raising the subject will make them seem vain.

There is nothing vain about wanting to understand why you are uncomfortable.

Equally, discovering that your breasts may be contributing to your symptoms does not mean you need to have surgery.

The first step is simply understanding the problem. From there, you can consider the options available and decide what feels right for you.

Breast reduction consultations with Mr Sherif Wilson

Mr Sherif Wilson offers breast reduction consultations for women who are experiencing physical discomfort, practical difficulties or concerns about the size and weight of their breasts.

During your consultation, Mr Wilson will listen to the problems you are experiencing and give you a straightforward assessment of whether breast reduction may help. He will explain the procedure, likely result, scars, recovery and risks so that you can make an informed decision without pressure.

To arrange a consultation, please use the contact form or call 0117 980 4092.