Your boobs will go through changes throughout your life.
From when you start growing them, to when you are pregnant, to when you get older, you aren’t going to have the exact same breasts forever.
If you pay enough attention to them, however, they could actually be trying to tell you things about your health.
1. Why they’re growing in size
Breast size increases usually due to weight gain. Your boobs are made from mostly fat cells, as well as glandular tissues. Other factors such as pregnancy, breastfeeding, birth control pills and even hormonal changes related to your menstrual cycle can make them grow.
2. They’re shrinking
What goes up must come down. Including your boobs, sometimes. Because they’re made of fatty tissues, if you’re losing weight, they can tend to shrink. A little bit of shrinking may also indicate you’re at the end of your monthly cycle and the swelling has decreased. If the loss of boob size is dramatic and there’s no obvious reason, you should see a doctor.
3. You Have Ovulated
Women generally ovulate around day 14 of their menstrual cycles, and your body will give you some specific signs about what is going on each month. A common sign of ovulation is sore breasts, especially on the side beneath your armpit, in the second half of your cycle.
This is caused by progesterone, the hormone you produce after ovulation, and can be used to help track fertility. While you can’t pinpoint the exact day of ovulation through sore boobs alone, it can give you some confirmation that your body is doing what it is supposed to do.
4. It’s time for a new bra
If you’re wearing an ill-fitting bra or one that doesn’t offer good support, you can experience breast problems, including breast pain. Good fitting bras won’t ride up your back, fit too loosely, squish your boobs or cut into your shoulders.
5. Your hormones are out of whack
Not only is boob pan a sign of ovulation, you can also experience it when you are pregnant or perimenopausal as it happens when your body is flooded with estrogen. It’s worth seeing a doctor.
6. You should get your thyroid checked
7. You might have arthritis
It sounds weird, but a burning pain in your breasts or in the breastbone area are a sign that you might have costochrondritis, a form of arthritis. The pain can feel like an injury or even a heart attack, and it is usually chronic. The condition is linked to having bad posture.
8. If they start growing hair
If you start finding a few stray hairs on your breasts, you should get yourself checked out – it might mean your testosterone levels are rising, most likely because you have PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome) where your ovaries produce excessive amounts of male hormones.
9. Something life-threatening
There are a few times when changes in your boobs might mean you have something more life-threatening going on, such as breast cancer. If you experience any of these symptoms, you need to see a doctor ASAP: an all over internal feeling of itchiness, discharge from or crusting of your nipples if you aren’t breastfeeding or pregnant, sudden nipple inversion, changes in the texture of the skin on your breasts, asymmetrical lumps or bumps.
If you’re experiencing weird things regarding your breast, it’s best to have yourself get checked.
If you become concerned about any symptoms please seek immediate medical attention.
We have some hotlines and suggested websites for further information and advice https://www.stayathomemum.com.au/my-kids/babies/important-hotlines-websites/
SAHM takes no responsibility for any illness, injury or death caused by misuse of this information. All information provided is correct at time of publication.
