From puberty, menstruation, pregnancy, breastfeeding, to menopause, the shape of a woman's breasts can change. In general, these changes are natural, although some consider them abnormal. Therefore, consider the following explanation of changes in breast shape.The position of the female breast is located in front of the chest muscles. The breast itself is composed of several tissues, such as fat, connective tissue, blood vessels, and mammary glands. This mammary gland plays an important role in producing breast milk. Basically, the size and shape of each woman's breasts are different. This difference is usually influenced by the amount of fat and hormonal changes that occur along with the normal life cycle.
Development of Breast Shapes
The following are the stages of changes in breast shape that occur during the life cycle, starting from puberty to reaching menopause:
- Breast shape at pubertyWhen a woman enters puberty, her body will produce and release the hormone estrogen. The release of this hormone makes the breast shape that previously looked like a boy's, will begin to grow and develop. This change in shape occurs because the hormone estrogen stimulates the mammary glands in the breast.
- Shape ptits onmhope mmenstruationThe production of the hormones estrogen and progesterone will increase when you have your first menstrual cycle. The increase in these two hormones triggers the growth and development of tissue in the breast. At this stage, the breasts will appear larger and denser. This change in breast shape occurs in preparation for a possible pregnancy. However, if pregnancy does not occur, the breasts will return to their normal size.
- Breast shape during pregnancyDuring pregnancy, changes in levels of pregnancy hormones, such as the hormones progesterone, estrogen, and prolactin, cause changes in the shape of the breasts in preparation for breastfeeding. The mammary glands will be stimulated to produce milk in the period leading up to delivery. These changes can sometimes make pregnant women feel uncomfortable. To relieve these complaints, several steps for breast care during pregnancy can be done.
- Breast shape during breastfeeding
In addition, the nipple will also enlarge and the color of the areola becomes darker. After a period of breastfeeding, breast tissue will shrink back and return to the shape of the breast before you gave birth.
Some women may experience sagging of their breasts after breastfeeding. To overcome this, there are several ways to tighten the breasts after breastfeeding that can be done.
- Breast shape during menopauseBreast atrophy or shrinkage occurs when women are 40 to 50 years old, when they reach menopause. Breast reduction occurs when the hormone estrogen decreases. As a result, the mammary glands and breast tissue lose their elasticity so that they become loose. In addition to sagging, other changes in the breasts that can occur when entering menopause are the appearance of breasts stretch marks, widening of the distance between the breasts, and the appearance of the breasts becomes flatter. Some people consider breastfeeding to be one of the factors that make the breasts sag. However, actually decreased breasts are caused by various other factors, such as drastic weight changes, too much strenuous physical activity, and smoking habits.
Unbalanced shape changes in both breasts can cause breast asymmetry. Breast asymmetry is a condition in which one breast is larger than the other. Although not a worrying condition, you still have to be aware of the accompanying symptoms. Especially, if one of the breasts suddenly becomes bigger.
In general, changes in breast shape are natural and harmless. But with age, the risk of developing certain breast diseases increases. For that, do breast self-examination (BSE) and breast examination to the doctor regularly, to be aware and detect early if there are abnormalities.
