Why are my breasts hard and painful?

Incredible facts

Although breast size seems to be predetermined, there are many factors that can affect breast size.

Monthly cycle fluctuations aren't the only reason why your breasts get bigger or smaller, feel sore, or have other strange symptoms.

Many of the changes are related to hormone levels, but your breast size can also be affected by coffee consumption, weight changes, diet and physical activity.

Genetics

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Although genetics is not a death sentence, it certainly plays a big role in what breast size you will have.

Breast size is a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Some people have a predisposition to large breasts. In addition, if we gain weight, our breasts also become larger.

Genes determine the basic parameters of the breast, but not the actual size.

For example, genetic predisposition affects breast sagging, volume and shape.

But breast size can change throughout life.

This doesn't mean that just because your mom and sister were size 3, you will necessarily be the same size. However, the probability is much higher than for a woman who was born into a family where there were predominantly first breast sizes.

Workout

In general, you are unlikely to notice any changes in your breasts, even if you engage in intense physical activity with weight lifting. The thing is that the mammary gland is located on top of the pectoral muscle, not being part of it.

Breasts are mostly fat

, and if a woman gains weight, her breasts may also become larger. Many representatives of the fair sex complain that when losing weight, the breasts lose weight first. This is due to the fact that fat tissue is burned during exercise.

Many people believe that you can endlessly pump up the muscles located under the chest, and this will not affect its shape and size in any way.

Although the exercises themselves do not enlarge the breasts, training the pectoral muscles can create the illusion of larger and firmer breasts.

Push-ups, bench press, chest flyes are the main exercises that strengthen the pectoral muscles.

• Do 3 sets of 20 push-ups
  at the beginning and the same number at the end of the workout. Use this complex at least 3 times a week.

• Chest flyes
  are another useful chest exercise. Take dumbbells (or bottles of water) in your hands, sit on a bench slightly inclined, keep your feet on the floor. Extend your arms to the sides (arms should be slightly bent) to chest level, and then bring them back. Do 3 sets of 15 repetitions three times a week.

Why do breasts lose firmness?

Infections Any inflammatory processes in the female genital organs disrupt the production of hormones by the ovaries. The mammary gland immediately reacts to the imbalance that has arisen: nodes appear in it, it swells before menstruation and begins to hurt. The doctor diagnoses “mastopathy”. Sexually transmitted infections also push breast cells toward dangerous changes. They seem to be dozing in the body for a long time, but this dormancy is apparent. Therefore, a visit to the gynecologist and timely tests are not boring, “on-duty” recommendations, but a vital necessity. Abortion Abortion is harmful to the breast. Immediately after fertilization, hormonal changes begin, the purpose of which is to prepare the body for childbirth and the breasts for feeding. After an abortion, breast cells must urgently return to their “pre-pregnancy” state. Not everyone can do this. Some of them may follow a curved path of tumor growth, giving rise to large and small benign nodules. Late first pregnancy It has been proven that women who become pregnant for the first time after 30 are more likely to develop breast cancer. Probably, many years of exposure to bad ecology (for example, with toxic substances that we, city dwellers, inhale every day, whether we like it or not) does not leave its mark on the breasts: the cells lose the ability to adequately meet the hormonal storm called “pregnancy.” Long-term use of oral contraceptives Most studies conducted according to all the rules of medical science claim that oral contraceptives do not increase the risk of breast cancer. At the same time, it is reliably known that long-term (more than 4 years) use of these drugs before the first pregnancy can provoke tumor growth. So for those who have not yet given birth, it makes sense to think about other methods of contraception and not abuse birth control pills. Injuries In terms of its consequences, a chest injury in a woman is comparable only to a blow to the groin in a man. At the site of a hematoma (that is, a bruise), a cyst may form - a cavity filled with fluid. No one knows what this cyst will turn into in the future. Radiation Doctors say that exposure to any radiation before the age of 30 can push the development of breast cancer. But what about x-ray examinations, which are prescribed to us at least once a year? The dose we receive during routine examinations in the X-ray room is considered safe. However, the radiologist is obliged to indicate this radiation dose in the chart each time so as not to exceed the maximum threshold during further studies. Sunlight The skin of the chest area is thin and easily vulnerable, so the best time for tanning is morning and evening. If you want to sunbathe at noon, protect your breasts: lubricate them with sunscreen. Diet A sure way to disfigure your own breasts is to lose ten kilograms in a week, as advertising for weight loss products promises, and after finishing taking the drug, quickly gain back your previous weight. Tea or coffee? Since the main cause of unwanted breast development is hormonal imbalance, and some foods reduce androgen levels and increase estrogen levels, the Committee on Diet, Nutrition and Cancer of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States recommends avoiding fatty, canned and smoked foods, preferring grains, citrus and carotene-rich vegetables (for example, cabbage). According to some reports, soreness of the mammary glands before menstruation is provoked by products containing methylxanthines (for example, coffee). Replace your morning coffee with a cup of green tea - and your breasts before menstruation will not be so sensitive. What helps? Sex Breasts react to troubles in your personal life very sensitively. She likes caresses, during which she tenses up and slightly enlarges. She is not against orgasm, when the hormones she needs like air enter her blood. But long-term abstinence is not at all beneficial for her. Pregnancy A normal pregnancy that occurs when it is supposed to, that is, before 30, is the key to healthy breasts. It is believed that prolonged breastfeeding inevitably turns the breasts into “spaniel ears.” This is wrong. Major changes in breast shape occur during pregnancy and can be prevented. To do this, choose a comfortable bra that will comfortably accommodate your growing breasts, and use modern stretch mark creams. Long-term breastfeeding Breasts are very beautiful and very sexy. However, its main purpose is to feed a little person. If the mammary gland has not completed this task, if its cells have never produced milk or produced it for too short a time, not very favorable changes occur in the metabolism inside the cell. Comfortable bra Wearing a transparent blouse without a bra is a risky and, in general, unnecessary step, since even small breasts without a bra sag faster and lose their attractiveness. Comfortable underwear is absolutely necessary for sports: this is the only way to protect your chest from the shock it receives while running and jumping. Simple exercises The chest rests on a kind of muscle cushion, which is formed by the pectoralis major and minor muscles. It is very possible to strengthen these muscles and make your breasts at least a little bigger. Bend your elbows and clasp your fingers tightly. Now sharply spread your arms to the sides, overcoming muscle resistance. The second exercise can be performed near a wall. Lean on the wall with outstretched arms, then approach it and push off sharply. “Landing” should occur with outstretched arms. Cold shower Cold water is an excellent tonic: it causes smooth muscle cells to contract and tightens the natural “bra”. If you don't have the courage to direct a tight stream of cold water onto your chest, freeze ice cubes and wipe the skin of your chest with it. It's even nice. Daily care The décolleté area is an extremely delicate area, and you need to take care of it no less carefully than your facial skin. A hypoallergenic moisturizing cream is suitable for daily care. As for creams that are designed to “quickly and effectively increase breast size by three sizes,” their safety has not yet been proven. Breast skin looks well-groomed if a woman takes multivitamin complexes and uses unrefined oils.

Intimacy

The pleasure we experience during intimacy also temporarily increases breast size.

When we are aroused, our heart rate increases, which increases blood flow to various parts of our body, including the chest. This makes the breasts appear fuller and larger, although this effect is fleeting and can vary among women from barely noticeable to more impressive.

In any case, you shouldn't expect much from physical intimacy alone. Once you get back on track, your breasts will also return to their normal size.

Phytoestrogens products

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Experts say that some products have the ability to influence the size of a woman's breasts.

During puberty, estrogen levels in girls increase, leading to breast growth. At the end of the transition period, hormone levels normalize, and the breasts remain almost the same size for life.

Since estrogen promotes breast growth, products containing an estrogen analogue may also affect breast size when ingested.

Phytoestrogens are plant-derived chemicals that attach to estrogen receptors in cells and behave like this hormone.

Phytoestrogens include: tofu, green soybeans, soybeans, sunflower seeds, and flaxseed

. Carrots and beets also contain phytoestrogens, but they are recommended to be consumed in moderation as the side effects of consuming large amounts of phytoestrogens are not yet fully known.

Your weight

Breasts are made up of supporting tissue, mammary glands and ducts, and the percentage of each varies from woman to woman.

For example, some women have more supporting tissue than fat and vice versa. If your breasts contain a decent amount of fat, you will notice changes in your bust size as you lose or gain weight.

The difference will likely be small if you lose or gain a few pounds, but it will become more noticeable with larger weight fluctuations.

Hard breasts when breastfeeding

Hard breasts with breastfeeding are a common occurrence. It occurs mainly due to the overfilling of the mammary glands with milk and blockage of the canals due to insufficient pumping.

Redness, swelling, pain, high temperature are signs of inflammation and mastitis that require urgent treatment.

To prevent these problems, it is recommended to follow certain lactation rules:

1. Wear loose clothing. It is advisable to choose a specialized one for nursing.
2. Latch your baby frequently and correctly. Try to maintain uniformity - one feeding from the right mammary gland, the next from the left, etc.
3. If the baby has eaten and there is still a lot of milk, express it using a breast pump.

Phases of the menstrual cycle

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The menstrual cycle can be roughly divided into two halves: from the first day of menstruation and before ovulation - the follicular phase, and after ovulation - the luteal phase.

During the follicular phase

, in particular, on the 5th - 7th day after the start of menstruation, low levels of estrogen and progesterone are observed, and breast volume is the smallest. Since your breasts are not as affected by hormones during this period, this is the most accurate indicator of what your breasts actually look like.

As hormone levels rise during ovulation, blood flow to the breasts increases and they become fuller, rounder and more sensitive. In a study of more than 200 premenopausal women who had mammograms, breast density and size were larger during the luteal phase.

cycle.

If you notice anything unusual in your breasts, watch for changes at different points in your cycle, as it may simply be due to hormone fluctuations. If the condition does not go away, consult a doctor.

Spider bites

It is unknown for what reason, but for some reason spiders like breasts. Some spider bites may cause an inflamed lump, which may make a woman think she has breast cancer.

In fact, it is most likely a reaction to a spider bite, which can be reduced with antihistamines and anti-inflammatory medications. In any case, if you suspect a spider bite, you should consult a doctor.

Breast cancer doesn't appear overnight, so if you suddenly notice redness, swelling and inflammation, it could be an insect bite.

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Bush rub your tits around the carcass and tie them up like a belt.

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Lavender oil

Lavender oil, which is often added to soaps, shampoos and laundry detergents, may cause abnormal breast growth.

, found in a study published in
the Journal
of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism.

For example, in girls with premature breast development before age 8, breast growth symptoms stopped after they stopped using products containing lavender oil.

Lavender oil and tea tree oil are known to mimic the properties of estrogen and block testosterone. Scientists believe that these essential oils have anti-androgenic properties, which explains breast growth.

Pregnancy and lactation

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During pregnancy, your breasts also undergo changes that prepare your body to breastfeed your baby. The blood vessels, ducts and lobules involved in milk production dilate and grow. This process leads to greater sensitivity, heaviness and increased breast size. You may also notice your areolas and nipples getting larger.

A pregnant woman's breasts can grow several sizes

due to hormonal changes, and even more so when feeding.

Soon after childbirth, the level of the hormone prolactin increases in a woman’s body, due to which the breasts begin to produce milk and swell even more. As a rule, breasts return to normal size 3-6 months after breastfeeding ends.

If a woman has several children, the effect may be more significant, and the size and shape of the breasts will be different after numerous births and feedings.

Hardening of the mammary glands as a symptom of various conditions

So, why do the mammary glands become hard? According to medical statistics, this phenomenon is accompanied by the manifestation of other clinical symptoms, for example, a woman is bothered by chest pain and foreign discharge from the nipples.

Experts name many reasons that can lead to hardening of the glands, causing a feeling of hardening in the breast:

1. Mastopathy.
2. Menstruation
3. Pregnancy.
4. Breast-feeding.
5. Plastic surgery.

Let's take a closer look at why these and other factors can lead to hardening of the mammary glands.

Mastopathy

This disease is considered one of the most common in mammology. It develops as a result of hormonal disorders, can manifest itself independently, or the occurrence of the disease depends on the period of the menstrual cycle. In the latter case, mastopathy appears 10-14 days before the start of menstruation and disappears after its completion.

Hard breasts as a manifestation of mastopathy do not require special therapy, provided that they do not cause the woman other unpleasant sensations. In any other situations, a comprehensive therapeutic approach is required.

Small nodules present in the breasts of girls under 16 years of age are a sign of mastopathy. Typically, such benign lumps appear before menstruation, and their number and location may vary.

Hard areas in the mammary glands may indicate the presence of certain diseases:

Pregnancy

In a pregnant woman, clinical manifestations such as increased breast sensitivity and swelling are considered within normal limits, which is due to a hormonal surge in the body of the expectant mother.

Contraceptives

Birth control not only prevents pregnancy and helps regulate your menstrual cycle. Hormonal methods such as birth control pills and intrauterine devices can, in fact, affect breast size.

When oral contraceptives first came out, the estrogen content in them was very high, which is why women's breasts became significantly larger.

Modern products contain only a fifth of the hormones that were originally present, so the effect is not so noticeable. However, it is completely normal if you notice a slight enlargement of your breasts when you first start using hormonal treatments. This is mainly due to the fact that estrogen leads to greater fluid retention in the body.

Why do breasts become hard after breast augmentation?

Mammoplasty is a complex process that causes stress to the body. If you follow the surgeon’s recommendations, you can avoid complications and negative consequences.

The following are considered normal reactions in the postoperative period:

• Pain, burning, tingling;
• Swelling, hematomas, swollen tissues;
• Exacerbation of skin sensitivity;
• Dull sensation in the nipples;
• Muscle tightening and tension.

During the operation, the doctor makes incisions in certain places, which naturally involves microdamage to blood vessels and tissues. Fluid accumulates in them, which serves as a protective material against infections and inflammation, and also provokes the formation of edema. They are the main reason for the hardness of the mammary glands. Swollen breasts add stress to the spine, so one of the main requirements after correction is wearing compression garments.

The location of pain or swelling may vary, but this is normal. With the correct recovery schedule, the consequences of surgical intervention disappear in 2-4 weeks. Long-term preservation of hematomas and lumps is caused by non-compliance with the regimen, violation of the specialist’s instructions, and early physical activity. Implants tend to sit high for the first few weeks, after which they lower and take a permanent position.

Good posture

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Seems pretty obvious, but this is another reason why you need to stop slouching. With good posture, any breast will look firm and toned.

When you have a strong muscular corset, your back is well supported, there is no forward bending, your shoulders are not closed, your chest looks larger, since it does not fall in, but protrudes.

How to correct your posture

First of all, you need to be constantly aware of how you hold your body. The habit of slouching is not so easy to get rid of, but the more often you think about your posture, it will become better.

• Your weight should rest primarily on the balls of your feet.
• Your knees are slightly bent and your feet are shoulder-width apart.
• Straighten your shoulders, arms hanging freely at the sides of your body.
• Tighten your stomach.
• The head should be positioned so that the ears are at shoulder level. There is no need to tilt your head forward, backward or to the side.
• Shift your weight from your toes to your heels or from one foot to the other if you have to stand for a long time.

Gymnastics for the chest

“Gymnastics is of great importance in strengthening the breasts and restoring their elasticity.

Thanks to gymnastic training, the mammary glands gradually develop and enlarge,” this is the second postulate of the brochure.

The proposed course consists of 13 exercises; their completion requires at least 25-30 minutes.

Exercises should be done in comfortable and loose clothing; the chest should not be constrained by a corset or bra.

It is best to keep the chest open.

The most convenient time for charging is between breakfast and lunch.

It is not recommended to do gymnastics in the morning - the muscles have not yet woken up, they continue to rest. In the evening, the body is tired and incapable of productive work.

When performing all exercises, you must feel the tension in the muscles running from the neck to the chest. So, Dr. Laurie's complex :

1. Tilt the head back and to the sides. Shoulders are straightened, pulled back and down.
2. Bend the torso back, head slightly bent to the shoulder, reaching towards the floor.
3. Slowly raise your shoulders to your ears and just as slowly lower them down.
4. Extend your tense arms to the sides, slowly raise them up and lower them down.
5. Funnel rotation. Stretch your arms to the sides and rotate them intensively. The maximum diameter of the circle that the brushes describe during movement is 40-50 centimeters.
6. Raising the arms extended to the side backwards.
7. The arms are bent at the elbows and pressed to the body, the hands are on the shoulders. With strong movements, the arms rise, straightening up, returning to the starting position, then straightening to the sides - the starting position, down - and again the starting position.
8. The hands of the bent arms are clasped at the back, at the waist, then straightened, falling down.
9. Shoulder movements forward and backward
10. With your arms extended to the sides, describe large circles. This exercise is called "mill"
11. Bring your hands together in front of your chest and press down hard on your palms.
12. One bent arm is at the waist, the second is raised up. Tilt the torso towards the bent arm.
13. Hands behind your head. Tilts the torso to the sides, forward and backward.

These exercises should be performed daily, each at least 8 times. After two exercises, you need to pause, during which you should calm your breathing.

Caffeine

Did you know that your coffee habit can affect your breasts? Researchers from the University of Lund and Malmo

A study in Sweden found that drinking too much coffee can lead to smaller breasts.

If you drink no more than one or two cups of coffee a day, this is unlikely to affect your bust size. However, women who consumed more than three cups of coffee daily had an average of 17 percent smaller breasts.

than those who were not addicted to this drink..

Scientists say that almost half of women have a genetic mutation that links coffee consumption with breast volume.

This may be due to the fact that coffee affects the female sex hormone estrogen. However, coffee also has its benefits. For example, researchers have found that it reduces the risk of developing breast cancer.

Breast implants

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If you have breast implants, you probably won't wonder if your breasts are getting bigger. However, having breast implants can cause some of the breast tissue to atrophy.

.

This is because implants put pressure on the breast tissue, which will cause it to deteriorate over time.

And by the way, if you have breast implants, it is more difficult to notice any changes in the breast tissue, so you should have your breasts checked regularly by your doctor.

Breasts can be damaged due to sun exposure

Our breasts get a lot of damage, at least due to the fact that few people use sunscreen on this area. Over the years, age spots, freckles, and even skin elasticity may begin to develop. Additionally, if you have stretch marks due to weight changes, they will remain visible for a long time if not properly cared for and moisturized.