When is this normal and when is it not?
Breast size is determined by heredity, the ratio of glandular and adipose tissue, hormonal levels and body weight. A woman with small but properly formed breasts is absolutely healthy, and the ability to feed a child depends not on volume, but on the amount of glandular tissue and correct attachment. The signs of true hypoplasia are different: a narrow base of the gland, an elongated tubular shape, a large protruding areola, the distance between the glands is wider than usual, pronounced asymmetry. Separately, tubular breast is distinguished - a variant of gland development disorder.
- A small volume with a normal structure is a variant of the norm
- Narrow base and tubular shape
- Large protruding areola
- Large distance between glands
- Pronounced asymmetry
- No breast enlargement during pregnancy
Reasons
Most often it is a matter of hereditary characteristics. Of the medical reasons, the first place is occupied by conditions associated with a lack of female sex hormones during puberty: delayed sexual development, ovarian dysfunction, some genetic syndromes. Chronic diseases, severe underweight, and eating disorders during adolescence, when the gland is developing, also have an impact. In adult women, a decrease in breast volume occurs after sudden weight loss, completion of lactation, and during menopause - this is not hypoplasia, but atrophy of glandular tissue.
- Hereditary characteristics
- Lack of estrogen during puberty
- Delayed puberty
- Genetic syndromes
- Severe underweight
- Sudden weight loss in adults
- Involution of the gland after lactation and menopause
Survey
They begin with an examination by a mammologist, who evaluates the shape, symmetry, condition of the areolas and the structure of the gland. Ultrasound of the mammary glands shows the ratio of glandular and adipose tissue and allows you to objectively assess the development of the gland, which is especially important in young women. If hypoplasia is combined with menstrual irregularities, absence or late onset of menstruation, underdevelopment of other secondary sexual characteristics, consultation with a gynecologist-endocrinologist and hormonal examination is necessary. Special attention is paid to cases where the breasts did not enlarge during pregnancy.
- Examination by a mammologist
- Ultrasound of the mammary glands
- Assessment of the menstrual cycle and sexual development
- Hormonal examination according to indications
- Consultation with a gynecologist-endocrinologist
- Genetic counseling in selected cases
Hypoplasia and breastfeeding
Most women with small breasts breastfeed without problems, because the volume is determined mainly by fatty tissue. Difficulties are possible with true underdevelopment of glandular tissue: if the breasts did not enlarge during pregnancy, do not become engorged after childbirth, and milk comes in sparingly. This is not a reason to immediately stop feeding. Early and frequent attachment, correct grip, consultation with a breastfeeding specialist, and pumping for stimulation help. If there is a lack of milk, the doctor selects a supplementary feeding regimen, maintaining breastfeeding to the extent possible.
- Small breasts usually do not interfere with breastfeeding
- An alarming sign - breasts do not grow during pregnancy
- Early and frequent application
- Correct chest grip
- Help from a lactation consultant
- Monitoring your child's weight gain
- Selection of supplementary feeding by a doctor if necessary
Correction options
If an endocrine cause is identified, treatment is carried out by a doctor of the appropriate profile, and in adolescence, timely therapy can affect the development of the gland. In adult women, there are no medicinal ways to increase breast volume: creams, supplements, massage and exercises do not increase glandular tissue, and advertising of such methods has no evidence base. Exercises for the pectoral muscles improve posture and appearance, but do not change the volume of the gland. The only way to significantly change the volume and shape is aesthetic surgery, which is discussed with a plastic surgeon after growth is complete.
- Treatment of identified endocrine cause
- Avoiding breast enlargement creams and supplements
- Exercise improves posture, but not gland size
- Selecting underwear and clothes as a simple solution
- Augmentation mammoplasty at the request of the woman
- Correction of tubular shape with severe deformity