 The size, shape and symmetry of a woman's breast are often closely tied to her feelings of self esteem and self image. Breasts that are too large for the body frame present the following problems –
Emotional aspects -
• Girls being teased at school, resulting in increased self consciousness.
• Women having difficulty finding clothes or brassieres that fit well and are comfortable.
• Finding that some men do not make eye contact when talking to them, instead tend to focus their eyes on their breasts.
• Feeling ‘top heavy'.
• Embarrassment with the bouncing breasts when running.
• Finding most aerobic exercise too uncomfortable, even in a sports bra.
• Too embarrassed to go swimming in public places.
Physical symptoms –
• Headaches or migraines.
• Neck aches and muscle spasm.
• Shoulder pain with ‘grooving' caused by the weight of the breasts on the bra straps.
• Dermatitis (intertrigo) in the lower fold of the breast, especially in hot weather or hot climates.
• Backache
• Dyspnoea (shortness of breath) – especially if asthmatic.
• Bra strap pressure on the brachial plexus (nerve) causing numbness in fingers or tingling of little fingers.
Poor posture develops –
• Shoulders are often pulled forwards in an attempt to mask the large size of the breasts.
• A hump (dowager's hump) develops at the base of the neck.
• A degree of scoliosis by the sheer weight on the neck and spine.
Local symptoms –
• Decreased sensation of nipples and areola may be present.
• Prone to inverted nipples.
• Difficulty in breast-feeding.
• Self examination more difficult, preventing the detection of small tumours.
• A mammogram examination is more difficult and requires more than the standard two films taken to include all the breast tissue.
Lifestyle changes –
• Inability to exercise because of self consciousness or physical discomfort can aid the onset of obesity.
• Poor body image can result.
• Sporting activities are often avoided, as are intimate relationships.
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