Breast size tends to have a strong influence over a person’s self-esteem, whether positive or negative. Having overly large breasts, for example, can cause back and neck pain, make it difficult to find clothes that fit well, and draw unwanted attention from others. Those suffering from enlarged breasts often wonder what has caused their large breasts in the first place, and if they have any control over their size.
At Richmond Aesthetic Surgery, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Neil J. Zemmel works with individuals from throughout Richmond and beyond who are seeking relief from the physical and emotional challenges of overly large breasts. Understanding the root causes can help you make more informed decisions about your health and treatment options, including whether the breast reduction procedure may be right for you.
Common Reasons for Overly Large Breasts
1. Genetics
Breast size is often inherited. If one or both sides of your family have a history of larger breast tissue, you may be genetically predisposed to fuller breasts—regardless of your body weight or lifestyle.
2. Hormonal Changes
Hormones play a central role in breast development. Estrogen triggers breast growth during puberty and pregnancy, while fluctuations related to birth control, menstruation, or hormone therapy can also affect breast size. Breastfeeding and milk production can temporarily enlarge the breasts as well.
3. Weight Gain
Breasts are made up of both fatty and glandular tissue. As your body fat increases, the fatty component of your breasts may enlarge too. While weight loss can reduce some breast volume, it’s not always enough to significantly change the size or shape, especially when dense glandular tissue is present.
4. Medication and Drug Use
Certain prescription medications and recreational drugs can stimulate breast tissue growth. In men, gynecomastia—a condition causing enlarged male breasts—can be caused by anabolic steroids, marijuana, anti-androgens, or some antidepressants.
Can You Prevent Large Breasts?
In most cases having a large breast size cannot be prevented or treated without surgery, due to factors like genetics or hormones. However, by maintaining a healthy lifestyle with diet and regular exercise, you can help reduce your risk of experiencing additional growth from weight gain in the future.
Learn About Breast Reduction in Richmond, VA
If you are struggling with back pain, shoulder grooves from bra straps, skin irritation, or emotional distress caused by large breasts, breast reduction surgery may provide lasting relief. Contact Richmond Aesthetic Surgery to schedule a consultation with our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Neil J. Zemmel. You may be a good candidate for the breast reduction procedure, and our team can help you understand the best options for your condition.
No foods or eating plans have been clinically shown to enlarge breasts. However, other options, such as chest development exercises and posture improvement, may help.
Gaining weight may increase the size of your breasts and the rest of your body. However, if this is not the result you’re looking for, several strategies other than diet may help your breasts appear larger.
Keep reading to learn more about effective strategies for enlarging or accentuating the appearance of your breasts. We’ll also examine some strategies that don’t work for breast enlargement.
| Strategies that work | Strategies that don’t work |
| chest development exercises | eating certain foods |
| posture improvement | breast enlargement creams or lotions |
| a professionally fitted bra | massage |
| breast augmentation surgery | supplements |
| enlargement pumps |
Try chest development exercises
Exercise won’t make breasts fuller. However, the right exercises can be very effective for developing the pectoral muscles underneath your breasts, as well as your back and shoulder muscles. This can help your breasts appear larger, higher, and firmer.
Some exercises to try include:
- wall presses
- pushups
- chest press extensions
- Cobra Pose
Work on your posture
There’s no downside to having excellent posture. While good posture won’t physically make your breasts larger, it can enhance their appearance by making them look perkier.
Good posture also supports balance, strength, and flexibility. It also helps strengthen the stomach and back muscles.
Exercises that help improve posture include:
- Child’s Pose
- plank exercise
- Cat-Cow Pose
Look for a new bra
Many women are wearing the wrong bra size. In fact, researchTrusted Source indicates that 70% of women wear bras that are too small, and 10% wear bras that are too large.
A too-tight bra may flatten breasts, making them appear smaller. A bra that’s too large won’t support breasts, making them sag.
It’s also detrimental to wear a bra that’s too old. Bras stretch in the wash, and after many washes, they may no longer fit according to the size on the label.
Your go-to bra may need to be replaced with one that fits correctly. While a well-fitting bra can’t increase your breast size, it can promote and accentuate your breasts, making them look their best, no matter their size.
Consider getting professionally fitted the next time you go bra shopping.
Consider breast augmentation surgery
While it’s not a “natural” option, breast augmentation surgery is another strategy to consider.
Breast augmentation surgery is an elective cosmetic procedure that can enlarge or reshape your breasts. Doctors either transfer fat from other areas of your body or insert breast implants made of saline or silicone behind your breast tissue or chest muscle.
The procedure is performed under general anesthesia and carries some risk, including scarring, infection, implant rupture, breast pain, and wrinkling of the skin around the implant.
Initial recovery from the procedure takes about 1 week. Long-term recovery can last from 4 to 6 weeks, although recovery times vary depending on the individual.
According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the cost of a breast augmentation surgery can range from $6,000 to $12,000.
Learn more about breast augmentation surgery here.
Eating certain foods
A quick internet search is bound to yield a ton of articles touting the ability of certain foods to increase breast size. However, none of these claims are backed by clinical evidence or legitimate science.
That includes dairy
Whether it comes from cows, goats, or other mammals, all dairy milk contains estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin. Since hormones affect breast size in humans, some people are under the impression that drinking lots of dairy milk is a good way to enlarge breasts.
This is a misconception. Drinking milk and eating dairy products won’t increase breast size.
According to a 2019 studyTrusted Source, dairy milk may affect breast cancer risk. Most dairy cows are pregnant, so their milk contains higher amounts of hormones. These hormones may raise levels of insulin-like growth factor 1, a growth hormone.
Some studiesTrusted Source show a modest association between higher levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 and breast, prostate, colorectal, and ovarian cancer. While these findings aren’t conclusive, you may wish to limit your intake of dairy milk if you’re concerned or have other risk factors for cancer.
However, other studies suggest there’s no increased risk for breast cancer if you consume dairy. If you do have a family history of breast cancer, it’s best to speak with your doctor to address any concerns.
Soy-based products won’t increase breast size either
If you’re swapping out dairy for soy in the hopes that it’ll increase breast size, don’t bother.
Soy milk and other soy-based products contain phytoestrogens. These are plant-based compounds that mimic estrogen’s effects on the body. For that reason, some people think that soy will help their breasts get bigger.
As is the case with dairy milk, this is a falsehood. There are no clinical studies and no evidence linking phytoestrogens to increased breast size.
Natural breast enhancement products
Many products on the internet promise to increase breast size. These include:
- lotions
- creams
- massages
- supplements
- enlargement pumps
There’s no clinical evidence indicating that any of these products or devices have any benefit for breast size.
Breast enlargement supplements
In addition to being useless for breast enlargement, supplements may also be unsafe. Be wary of so-called breast-enhancing supplements, as they contain herbs and ingredients that might cause serious interactions with medications you’re currently taking.
They also have no proven health benefits.
Breast enlargement creams
Some breast enhancement or enlargement creams may be beneficial for the skin, but they do nothing to increase breast size. No studies indicate that any cream, lotion, or topical treatment can enlarge breasts.
Some creams indicate on their label that they have approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This may be false advertising, so be sure to research the cream before you buy it.
Breast enlargement massages
Breast massage is great for stimulating blood flow, supporting lactation comfort, and detecting potentially malignant lumps. However, it’s completely useless for getting bigger breasts.
There’s no scientific data that breast enlargement is possible through self- or professional massage.
Breast enhancement pumps
Devices such as breast enhancement pumps use pressure and suction to pull on the breasts. This causes them to stretch and swell, which may make them appear larger, temporarily.
Breast enhancement pumps range from just a few dollars to several thousand. Some are even classified by the FDA as 510(k) class II medical devices. Despite this, there are no clinical trials indicating that any device, whether inexpensive or very expensive, will enlarge breasts.
Genetics largely determinesTrusted Source breast size. When women think about the size of their breasts, they often focus on breast volume or fullness. Other factors, such as chest circumference, also play a role in how large breasts appear.
Both breast volume and bone structure are physical characteristics that can run in families.
Breast size changes with weight and age
In addition to heredity, other factors go into determining breast size. These include weight and age:
- The way your breasts look when you’re a teenager is bound to be different than the way they’ll look later in life. Their size may increase or decrease, and some sagging is likely to occur.
- Cup size and torso circumference can change significantly with weight gain or loss. If you lose 20 pounds or more, your bra size is likely to go up or down.
Hormones and reproductive cycles affect breast size
Hormones and the reproductive cycle also affect breast size:
- Breast tissue starts to plump up with fat during puberty, when your ovaries start to produce estrogen.
- Your breasts may temporarily get bigger right before your period, when estrogen and progesterone enlarge the breast ducts and milk glands.
- Enlarged breasts are one of the first signs of pregnancy. Estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin work together to stimulate breast enlargement and milk production. Your breasts will continue to increase in size throughout pregnancy as they prepare for lactation.
- During menopause, a reduction in estrogen may cause your breasts to lose elasticity and shrink in size.
No food or diet plan has been clinically proven to increase breast size.
There are also no supplements, pumps, or creams that can make breasts larger.
The best natural way to enhance the look of your breasts is to do exercises that strengthen the chest, back, and shoulder area. Good posture also helps.