Dr. Kate is an OB/GYN at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City and she answers your medical questions here once a week. To ask her your own question, click here.

Dr. Kate,

I am almost to the point of desperation with the small size of my breasts. For years I have been contemplating a breast augmentation, but I am scared of the pain/recovery time. However, I have found plastic surgeons that would definitely handle my case with care. I’ve found surgeries like https://www.drracanelli.com/breast-augmentation-in-nj, and the more I research the procedure, the more I want to get it done! Other than surgery, is there anything, ANYTHING AT ALL, such as herbal pills/supplements, estrogen pills/injections, whatever, proven to work and maintain, and/or to “restart” breast growth? I am on the Yasmin birth control pill, and one of the side effects of Yasmin is possible breast enlargement…didn’t work on me! Please don’t tell me to be happy with what I have; no offense but you don’t know how I look braless or without padded, underwire bras! I am very self-conscious in intimate situations. To look semi-proportionate in t-shirts I HAVE TO wear thickly padded underwire bras while out in public/away from home. I don’t wear tank tops, low-cut tops, bathing suits, or any top which focuses on the chest; I don’t naturally fill them out. I am: female, 33 yrs., large body frame and heavyset, 5′ 7″…with small B-cup breasts that make me feel deformed and disproportionate; I look like I have man-boobs!

— Boobless

Dear Boobless,

The simplest answer to your question is no. Many pills, creams, etc., claim to enlarge your breasts, without any evidence that they do. And any medication that actually works to make your breasts grow — generally herbs and hormones — put you at an increased risk of breast cancer. Birth control pills do (safely) cause breast enlargement for some women — and if one brand of pills doesn’t work, another might — but it’s impossible to predict.

Mechanical means (suction systems, etc.) don’t seem to last long-term, and are arduous at best. The Bravia system makes you wear a suction-cup-like bra for 10 hours a day for 10 weeks. I believe it to be safe, but who can really do that? Plus, once you stop the suction, your breasts will go back to their normal size.

It’s hard for me to not talk about breast acceptance — how any partner who sees you naked is simply happy to be there…how you always look thinner with smaller breasts…how there’s less to sag as you get older. And B-cups are not that small — check out the photos in this month’s Glamour magazine: It’s got a feature all about breasts, including celebrities looking fabulous at every cup size. (The web version of the article is text-only; you’ll have to stop by your nearest newsstand to see the pics.)

So what can you do? Try a different combination of birth control pills, buff up your pectoral muscles to maximize what you’ve got, and only consider surgery as the final alternative if you feel you don’t want to live any other way. Lots of people are now choosing to get cosmetic surgery (check out these victorian cosmetic institute statistics), so this might be a good option for you too. Especially if you’re really unhappy with your appearance. As long as you visit a reputable surgeon, breast augmentation surgery can be 100% safe, just make sure you do some research before booking an appointment. If you do opt for surgery then it has to be your choice fully, it is your body and how you perceive it, there is no shame in having surgery or not having surgery, you must do what is right for you. You could have a consultation with firms like Luxurgery NYC if you are looking in that region, or check out local doctors to have an in-depth talk about how you are feeling. Have a think and do what is best for your wellbeing. If you’re sure that you do want a breast augmentation, you’ll need to find an experienced surgeon who can perform this surgery for you. Perhaps it might be worth getting in contact with a surgeon like Dr. Paul Fortes (https://fortesmd.com/services/breast-enhancement/breast-augmentation) if you’re from the Houston area. If you’re not, there should a number of other surgeons available in your local area, just make sure they’re reputable and have experience with this surgery. This should give you some peace of mind before the surgery.

Have any of you tried things to increase the size of your breasts?

–Dr. Kate
Gyotalk

Dr. Kate is an OB/GYN at one of the largest teaching hospitals in New York City. She also lectures nationally on women’s health issues and conducts research on reproductive health. Check out more of her advice and ask her a question at Gynotalk.com.