Why do I have small breasts and what can I do about it?

When it comes to breasts, they really do come in all different shapes and sizes - all of them normal.

Genes are the primary factor in determining breast size, in much the same way that they determine a person’s height. Body frame also plays a huge part in how big or small the breasts appear. So breasts that appear small on a person with a taller, stockier or broader frame will look considerably bigger on a woman who is a petite size. Breasts can change size several times during the course of a woman’s life, often due to pregnancy, breastfeeding or weight loss. Any of these may be the cause of a person’s small breasts. Hormones are also a major factor in determining breast size. For example, a woman’s breasts may temporarily get bigger just before menstruation. Breasts may decrease in size during menopause as oestrogen levels fall.

Hyperthyroidism, caused by an underactive thyroid gland that is not producing enough hormones, can delay puberty, therefore delaying breast development. However, this condition can be treated by taking daily hormone pills.

But the presence of small breasts can also be due to micromastia, the medical term for underdeveloped postpubertal breasts. In this case, sometimes there is little or no breast tissue present and, depending on the root cause, the nipple may also be affected. Micromastia can affect one or both breasts.

Congenital causes of micromastia include:

• Ulnar-mammary syndrome: A rare genetic syndrome that affects the development of various parts of the body, including the limbs.
• Poland syndrome: A condition where a child is born with underdeveloped or missing chest muscles.
• Turner syndrome: A genetic condition when a girl is missing one of her sex chromosomes
• Congenital adrenal hyperplasia: A genetic disorder that affects the adrenal glands.

Trauma, such as radiotherapy or surgery during childhood, can also result in underdeveloped breasts.

But much of the time, breast size is just a matter of perception. A woman may compare the size of her breasts to others, for example, celebrities or social media influencers, and may come to the conclusion that her breasts are too small. This in turn can have a real negative impact on her confidence and self-esteem, which is why so many women with small breasts seek to increase their bust size.

The only clinically proven method of enlarging your breasts is via the surgical breast augmentation procedure or a fat transfer procedure.

Whilst some claim there are also natural methods for breast enlargement such as various massage techniques, there is absolutely no clinical evidence to suggest this is really possible. 

With all the information out there it can be difficult to grasp just which treatment method will work for you. In this article, we’ll help you better understand the processes and stages of breast enlargement along with some of the natural techniques and an assessment of their effectiveness.

Can I massage my breast for growth?

Some claim that it is possible to increase the size of your breasts through a massage even if the results are often short-lived and the process isn’t that effective. The massage is claimed to help create the sensation of suckling which tricks the breasts into stimulation, helping to improve the elasticity and tone of the breasts. This is very unlikely to bring about a meaningful increase in size, and there is no scientific data to back breast massage up as a meaningful way of increasing bust size. 

Which oil is best for breast enlargement?

Massage oils can be helpful when it comes to breast stimulation, absorbing into the breasts during stimulation and promoting better blood circulation. Coconut oil, almond oil and olive oil are all effective oils that can be used and small improvements can be seen over time.

However, we would not expect any meaningful results to arise from such activity.

Which is the best breast enlargement cream?

Unfortunately, there is no breast enlargement cream, lotion or topical treatment out there currently available on the market which will enlarge your breasts as claimed by the manufacturer. There are many that make bogus claims about increasing the size of small breasts, but they are just a waste of time and money. Breast enhancement pumps and similar devices which utilise pressure and suction to make the breasts appear larger are also not recommended as a breast enlargement method.

Can Supplements Help With Breast Enlargement?

There is no scientific evidence to show that supplements can help to increase the size of small breasts. In fact, some supplements, particularly if purchased online, could potentially be unsafe, particularly if they contain ingredients that may interact with any medication that you may be taking. Once again, we recommend saving your time and money and don’t waste them on this unproven treatment.

What Can I Do About My Small Breasts?

In short, no amount of massage, oils, supplements, creams or pumps will result in any meaningful breast growth. Changing your diet, posture and doing exercises that strengthen the chest, back and shoulder area may have an impact over time.

But anyone looking to increase the size of small breasts by any meaningful amount really only has two options: breast augmentation or fat transfer breast enlargement.

Breast augmentation is a simple surgery that involves enhancing the size of the breasts through the insertion of implants and is often the fastest, most reliable way for individuals to increase the size of their breasts. Breast implants can be placed either above or below the breast muscle, depending on the patient’s preference, their anatomy and what the surgeon feels is best for the patient. There are a number of different sizes and shapes of an implant to choose from, depending on the desired result.

If you don’t want to have breast implants, then there is a natural alternative if you are seeking to enlarge small breasts.

The only non-implant based breast enlargement that we recommend at the Cadogan Clinic is Fat Transfer Breast Enlargement. This surgical treatment uses autologous fat deposits, harvested from other parts of the body by liposuction, to add volume and contour the breast region. Because the fat is injected into the breast, scarring is minimal and as a foreign object is not being introduced to the body, the risk of infection is much lower than in breast implant surgery. The added benefit of a fat transfer breast enlargement is that it can remove unwanted stubborn fat from other parts of the body, such as the thighs or buttocks, to achieve a thinner, more contoured body shape. This particular form of breast enlargement surgery is also popular among women who have undergone a mastectomy or breast reconstructive surgery and require the breast to be reshaped or symmetry to be restored.

At the Cadogan Clinic, we are happy to assist patients with breast enlargement, offering expert advice and treatment options to help you reach your desired end result in the most effective way. We offer a 24/7 on-call nurse service and complimentary access to ongoing wound care after the treatment, for more information simply reach out to us via the contact form on our website.