Op. Dr. Bora Yücel
klinikest@gmail.com +90 (545) 191 49 19
- June 21, 2023
- 5 min read
- Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery Specialist Op. Dr. Bora Yücel
What is breast asymmetry?
Breast asymmetry is when one of the breasts is noticeably larger than the other, or the position of one of the breasts is in a different place than the other.
Contents
- What is breast asymmetry?
- How common is breast asymmetry?
- What causes breast asymmetry?
- Should I worry about asymmetry in my breast?
- When should I worry about breast asymmetry?
- How to fix breast asymmetry?
How common is breast asymmetry?
More than 50% of women have minimal breast asymmetry. So, is breast asymmetry normal? When the asymmetry level is mild, it may not be noticed with the naked eye. For this reason, asymmetrical breasts are considered normal to some extent.
What causes breast asymmetry?
Recently, 'Can menopause cause breast asymmetry?''Can weight gain cause breast asymmetry?' or 'Can weight loss cause breast asymmetry?' we often hear. Yes, the main reasons for this condition can be heredity, pregnancy, weight gain, aging, gynecomastia, breastfeeding or menopause. In a more understandable way, we can list it as follows.
Chest asymmetry may occur with the change in the structure of the chest as age progresses.
Breast asymmetry is mostly observed in women who experience hormonal changes. Asymmetrical breast problems may also occur during hormonal contraception and ovulation periods. Problems with the menstrual cycle may be permanent in some women.
Excessive weight loss can cause breast asymmetry.
A severe blow to the breast area during the breast development period can disrupt breast development. This can cause an irregular breast structure.
In women who are breastfeeding, there may be changes in breast size and nipple structure, especially if the baby is sucking on one breast. Breast asymmetry can be seen due to the reasons listed above or due to some diseases. Asymmetrical chest problem is sometimes temporary, sometimes permanent. Permanent asymmetric breasts can cause a lack of self-confidence, shyness and asociality in women.
A sudden change in breast volume, nipple size, or any of the breasts may be a sign of breast cancer (TR MINISTRY OF HEALTH). If you feel a sudden asymmetry or texture difference in your breasts, consult your doctor immediately.
Should I worry about asymmetry in my breast?
Asymmetry in the breasts is a condition that is seen in many women temporarily or permanently. If asymmetrical breasts have a negative effect on the patient, if the patient has a lack of self-confidence and socialization problems, they can consult a doctor at any time. In such asymmetry problems, if there are sudden changes in the breasts, it is useful to go to the doctor immediately.
When should I worry about breast asymmetry?
Depending on age and risk factors, having a mammogram every year or every two years and having a routine breast examination enable the cancer to be detected at an early stage. Asymmetry does not mean cancer in most cases. However, as a precaution, when the following changes are observed in the breast tissue, a doctor should be consulted without delay:
In summary, it is useful to be examined as a precaution in unusual developments in the breasts.
How to fix breast asymmetry?
Breast asymmetries refer to differences in shape and size between both breasts. Aesthetic interventions for the correction of asymmetry are determined by considering the preferences of the patient and congenital or acquired causes. Treatment approaches can be as follows:
Breast asymmetry can result from natural differences between both breasts. In natural differences, it is decided which of the breasts will be compared to the other. If asymmetry is evident, one breast may be smaller or larger than the other. Equalizing the shape and size of the two breasts is aesthetically appropriate, taking into account the preferences of the patient.
First, the small breast can be balanced by placing a prosthesis with breast augmentation. Or, surgical procedures can be performed to reduce the size of the larger breast.
If the difference between the breasts is too great, a reduction procedure can be applied to the larger breast, while a prosthesis can be placed on the smaller breast.
Volume loss is common in postpartum asymmetries. In this case, equalization can be achieved with the breast lifting procedure. If necessary, this operation can be combined with breast augmentation and silicone prostheses of different sizes can be placed on both breasts.
As a result, when breast asymmetry is desired to be corrected, an appropriate treatment plan can be created in line with the patient's preferences, breast sizes and shapes, tissue condition and the evaluation of the plastic surgeon. Aesthetic surgery is a field that requires an individual approach for each patient, and a comprehensive evaluation and consultation process with a specialist doctor is important.