Breasts come in different shapes and sizes – some are small, while others are medium-sized or large. But, truth be told, most women like to have full and firm breasts. Sizeable breasts not only augment the body’s overall look but also drive up your confidence. No wonder a decrease in breast volume is a cause for concern for many people.

So, what causes a drastic reduction in breast size? To some, aging is the number one culprit. Others argue that fluctuation in hormones is the reason behind breast size reduction. This article has put together the four main reasons for the loss of breast volume.

Aging and Genetics

Aging affects the shape, size, and appearance of every part of the body. The body is continually changing from childhood through maturity and into old age. The same can be said about breasts. Breast volume will naturally decrease with age. You might notice a gradual decline in your breast size as you grow older. These changes are part of the aging process, and they shouldn’t worry you.

So, how does age affect breast size? The skin becomes thinner over time. The elasticity of your skin will also reduce as you age. The ligaments and muscles supporting the breast mass also stretch out. Generally, the structural support around the breast may be lost as you get older. Unlike younger breasts that have dense and fibrous tissue, older breasts have less glandular tissue.

Also, breasts may appear sagged and smaller during menopause, which is mainly caused by hormonal changes. The level of estrogen in the body drastically falls during menopause. Estrogen is responsible for the growth of tissue in the breast. Therefore, a reduction in the amount of the hormone might cause shrinkage of the glandular tissue. Low estrogen levels also lead to dehydration and loss of elasticity of the breast tissue.

Your genetics might also influence the changes in the volume of your breasts. Skin elasticity, as well as the balance of glandular and adipose tissue, depends on genetic make-up. Your genes will determine how you will bounce back to your regular breast size after lactation. Likewise, how the aging process will affect your breast tissue will depend on your genetics. It means that some people are more prone to breast sagging than others.

The Fluctuation of Hormones during Pregnancy and Lactation

Hormones play a significant role during pregnancy and lactation. These hormonal changes may dramatically affect the volume of your breasts. Breasts become larger during pregnancy. Many women will change their cup size during this time. The enlargement is caused by the expansion of lobules, ducts, and blood vessels in readiness for breastfeeding.

Breasts remain relatively large throughout lactation since the ducts are filled with milk. At this stage, there is a surge of prolactin. This hormone controls the production of milk by the mammary glands. When you stop breastfeeding, the levels of prolactin fall. As a result, the breasts will shrink since the ducts are longer filled with milk.

Typically, the volume of your breast won’t change after lactation. However, the shape might change. They might look deflated and empty when you stop breastfeeding. The drastic increase in breast size during pregnancy stretches the skin. When you stop lactating, the size of your breasts will return to the original one. However, the skin and muscles in the breasts might not regain the original firmness and tone. This is what causes sagging or drooping after lactation.

Weight Changes and Vigorous Exercise

A large part of the breast is made up of fatty tissue. This adipose tissue determines the shape and size of the breast. Therefore, the size of your breasts is affected by changes in your overall weight. Your breasts will increase in size when you gain weight. Similarly, you will notice a breast size reduction when you lose weight.

The volume of the breast increases when you rapidly gain weight. This is due to an increase in the amount of adipose tissue deposited in the mammary glands. The enlargement leads to stretching of the skin. If you lose weight, the breasts will shrink. The fat tissue will reduce, leading to a loss in breast volume. In addition, the skin will sag, and the supporting infrastructure will lose elasticity.

Vigorous exercise reduces overall body fat. This means a reduction in the breasts as well. An exercise that targets the chest area, such as rowing, causes loss of fat in the mammary glands. But, change in breast volume is not always due to the loss of fatty tissue. The movement of breasts during a workout may also contribute to alteration in shape and size. Without a proper bra, your breasts will be tossed back and forth during physical activity. This might cause them to lose their lift and subsequently shrink.

Medication and Substance Abuse

Birth control pills notoriously affect breast size. Usually, they elevate the amount of estrogen, thus boosting the growth of the breast tissue. They may also cause swelling and fluid retention in some women. If you stop taking the pills, you will notice a change in your breast volume. Estrogen levels will drop, causing the breast tissue to shrink. The breasts will become smaller as the hormone profile in your body balances out.

Smoking can profoundly affect breast size. The carcinogens contained in cigarette smoke damage the protein elastin. This protein is responsible for maintaining the elasticity of the skin. Therefore, when elastin is damaged, the skin throughout the body will sag and droop. The skin around your breasts will lose elasticity and cause them to sag if you are a chronic smoker. Alcohol and caffeine also produce a negative effect on breast tissue.

Loss of breast volume is inevitable. It is something that every woman should be braced for at some point in their life. Knowing or learning how to deal with it when it happens is essential. Breast augmentation is a great way to boost your breasts’ size while improving your body image and self-confidence. Contact Naples breast augmentation expert at Aesthetic Surgery Center and get professional help.