Exercise and Your Breasts

Continued...

What determines breast size

After puberty all women have essentially the same amount of glandular tissue in their breasts. Differences in breast size are due mainly to fatty tissue and the response of the glandular tissue to hormones.

Lean athletes usually have smaller breasts because of their overall lower percentage of body fat. Increasing body weight may increase the fat in the breasts. Most athletes do not want large breasts, however.

Contrary to many popular advertisements, you cannot enlarge your breasts with topical creams or "breast development" exercise devices. Exercise can only develop the underlying pectoral muscles, not the breasts themselves.

Any woman who does want larger breasts should be aware of certain drawbacks associated with surgical breast augmentation, especially if she's athletic. The implants are either silicone or saline filled bags, which can rupture with a direct blow. They can leak silicone, or the tissue around them may become infected. Also, large breasts can adversely affect performance, especially for swimmers who will have extra drag in the water.

The mammary glands are very sensitive to female hormones. A woman may experience an increase in breast size premenstrually or with certain oral contraceptives. During pregnancy and lactation, all women's breasts enlarge. Use of androgens and anabolic steroids will decrease breast size.

Am I normal?

Women concerned about breast size should be aware that size does not affect sexual arousal or the ability to nurse children. Since all women have the same amount of glandular tissue, the breasts will respond appropriately for lactation no matter what their size.

Is it normal for one breast to be larger than the other?

Next | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Previous

Order Now!

Table of Contents

Foreword: Billie Jean King

Comments by Barb Harris
Editor in Chief,
Shape Magazine

General Health
Nutrition
Exercise
Common Medical Problems
Dental Health
Emergency!
Infectious Disease
Sexual Health
Emotional Well-Being
Eating Disorders
Alcohol & Other Drugs
Environmental Health
Prevention