Here are three key points about breasts:
The breasts are one of the most important body parts for a woman. While they tend to differ in size, shape, and colour, most of these features are inherited genetically. A woman's breasts constantly change and develop throughout her life.
The breast tissue is made mostly of fat cells, glandular tissue, and ligaments that extend from the collarbone to the underarm and across the centre of the breast. There are glands in breasts called lobules that produce milk in women, which is fed to the newborn child. Age, eating habits and fitness level all tend to impact how breasts appear, which can give rise to saggy breasts.
It is natural for women's breasts to change their original shape and lose elasticity, and droop with age. Breast ptosis – the medical term for sagging breasts is one of the most common conditions treated by plastic surgeons. While not many might take an interest in enhancing the appearance of their breasts surgically, a few find it life-changing to later their bust condition.
The position of the nipples measures the stage of sagging breasts with the breast fold. There are three stages of sagging breast:
Although breasts, like any other body part, change. If they seem to sit lower on the chest with nipples pointing downwards and the top of the breast does not look as complete as it used to, then the woman is likely to suffer from sagging breasts. Below are some of the most common indicators of sagging breasts:
Age is one of the most common reasons behind sagging breasts. Irrespective of who the woman is and what she wears, by the mid-30s, a woman's breast starts to lose fatty tissue, reducing size and fullness.
The ligaments and connective tissues in a woman's breast give shape to her breasts and while oestrogen helps maintain its elasticity. With an increase in age, the amount of oestrogen in a woman's body decreases, leading to a negative effect on the elasticity of her skin, resulting in sagging breasts.
However, young women also experience sagging breasts, and there are many factors other than age that may cause sagging breasts. These include:
While ageing is inevitable, there are also other factors that put a woman at risk of having sagging breasts. Other risk factors of sagging breasts include:
Although sagging breasts is a condition that cannot be eliminated, there are some ways that can either reduce or slow the process of sagging breasts. Lifestyle affects the body, so it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some of the preventive measures for sagging breasts:
A general physician or plastic surgeon can diagnose sagging breasts by using a breast ptosis scale to grade the severity of sagging. They will be able to diagnose it by looking at the nipple position in regard to the inframammary crease.
The scale most commonly used to grade breast ptosis is the Regnault Ptosis Scale:
It is beyond anyone's feasibility to restore the exact original shape and size of the breast. However, certain measures can improve the breast lift and the overall strength of the bust. Some of the sagging breast treatments are:
Sagging breasts are very common problem and if the condition is not treated in time if can lead to health issues. Some of the risks and complications associated with the sagging breasts are:
The patient should immediately consult a doctor if the patient is experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms of sagging breasts:
As mentioned above, sagging breasts cannot be fully avoided, but the process can be slowed down to a certain degree. Some of the food items that can tighten the sagging breasts are:
A sagging breast happens for many reasons – whether it is pregnancy, age or lifestyle but breastfeeding and wearing or not wearing a bra are some of the factors you do not need to worry about. This condition happens to almost every woman and is nothing to be ashamed of.
We at HexaHealth can provide you with the much-needed support to understand the sagging of your breasts in detail. Our expert surgeons can guide you towards effectively slowing down the breasts' sagging. In specific cases, we also offer a seamless surgical experience to help you feel more confident.
Reach out to us with your questions, and our dedicated teams would love to take it forward with you!
The size and shape of the breasts can never be the same again, but there are measures to improve the lift and strength like- exercise and diet and nutrition etc. In order to regain firmness, the only solution is plastic surgery.
Ageing leading to hormonal changes, pregnancy, weight gain, or weight loss are some of the common causes of breast sagging.
Massaging and exercising the breasts can tighten the muscles around them, giving them a lift.
This is a complete myth. Wearing a bra or not wearing a bra has no relation to the sagging of breasts.
Exercising, having a balanced diet, posture, and providing proper support are some of the natural home remedies to lift breasts.
A drastic weight change may lead to saggy breasts.
Naturally, people start experiencing saggy breasts near menopause, i.e. 40-45.
There is no medical evidence that sleeping with a bra on prevents sagging or without it causes sagging.
Maintaining a healthy weight, wearing a comfortable, well-fitting bra, having a balanced diet, etc., are some things that can help in making breasts firmer.
After breastfeeding, both fatty tissue and connective tissue in the breast may shift. So, the breast may or may not return to pre-breastfeeding shape or size.
Breast sagging can be caused by a deficiency of vitamins B and C. Vitamins B and C help in producing elastin and collagen fibre, which help in maintaining firmness in breasts.
Doing an exercise like bench presses, push-ups, and dumbbell lateral raises can help in lifting sagging breasts.
Doing exercise, eating a balanced diet, quitting smoking, and wearing a supportive and comfortable bra are some of the things that can be done.
Maintain optimal weight, eat healthily, drink plenty of fluids and, if needed, get plastic surgery.
Apply sunscreen near your breasts, quit smoking, eat a balanced and healthy diet, get a hormonal test done, etc., to prevent sagging.
Don't smoke or quit smoking; find a comfortable and supportive bra, consider pregnancy carefully, etc., to take care of your saggy breasts.
Food items like milk, nuts, green vegetables, seafood, seeds, etc., help you in getting bigger breasts.
Almond oil, olive oil, coconut oil, lavender oil, emu oil, etc., are best for breast firming.
The breast should sit midway between the shoulder and elbow.
Marriage is not responsible for an increase in breast size. The possible explanation for this is pregnancy.
Breast development begins between the age of 8 and 13 years and is fully developed by 17 or 18 years.
The cost of surgical treatment methods for sagging breasts is variable, considering the type of hospital chosen, the severity of the condition, the technique recommended, the patient's medical condition based on age and other health factors, etc. Contact HexaHealth for price transparency.
Last Updated on: 17 October 2022
Dr Priyanka Sharma is a well-known Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeon associated with HealthPort Clinic in Delhi. She has 14 years of experience in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic surgery and worked as an expert Plastic,...View More
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