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.
It’s sad to say but us ladies always want what we don’t have, it sucks. Many small chested women gripe about wanting juicy juicy mangos and large chested women gripe about theirs and long for a pair of mosquito bites. That’s not all; straight haired women want curly hair and curly haired women want straight locks, and there are so many more examples. We are all doing such disservice to ourselves. Instead of sounding older than you really are fussing and complaining about something we can’t easily changewithout drastic and possibly potential side affects which you would already know if you are not willing to chance to risk negative outcomes by putting yourself under the knife. If you have big ones you can go on a diet or exercise and more specifically bench presses should athleticize your chest. If you have small ones certain pectoral muscular workouts are supposed to work the pecs which may make the breasts appear larger only because they are pushed out so hey it’s all about appearance bay-be! Just avoid too much or you will look like the very muscular but strong as tanks muscle ladies from the musclehead magazine(hmm not sure if steroids are at play though) and apparently benchpresses tend to flatten the chest. Just a few tidbits I picked up along the years.
I also have small B cup sized breasts and have suffered through trying to find ways to push and lift and so on for years. I am 22 years old and have a 1 year old daughter and breastfeeding seemed to only make things worse. BUT, i can now honestly say i have become more comfortable in my skin (boobs and all) WHY? because of my partner. We have been together for 5 years now and he has been singing the praises of my small chest from day one. It has taken me this long to gain my confidence but when you find a loving partner who will make you feel beautiful no matter what size any part of you is it makes all the difference. I was borderline going in for breast aug. a year ago but now would never think of it. His opinion (outside of my own) is all that matters. How about search for a greater confidence within before permanently altering the outside?
Look on the bright side. Smaller boobs are less likely to sag, you’ll stay firm longer, you have a lower risk of some breast cancers, and you can always get a nice push up bra with little pads or water pads on the sides and bottoms and PUSH those babes together.
Women with smaller breasts have no problem feeding their children, as most women have the same amount of glandular tissue, the size is usually fat deposits. Yes, pregnancy and breastfeeding will make your breasts temporarility larger, but I don’t think bringing a child into the world for the reason of JUST making your breasts larger is a good idea. Also, a lot of us leak a lot while breastfeeding, so our breasts are temporarily off limits during sex anyway, at least for some things.
I don’t have many hang ups about sex but I HATED my husband putting his mouth on my nipples when I was breastfeeding our kids. (My regular Cs balloned to double Ds, (Es the first week with each kid) and my Man’s tongue was hanging out for the first few weeks I was nursing our babies, *sigh* until I had to put the breaks on, because I was so sore and uncomfortable due to milk coming in. I had a visceral “ICK” reaction to his wanting to get too close to them at first (“Hey, that’s for the baby!”), not something I am used to. (Neither was he.) I was freaked out milk would come out, and he said he didn’t care, but it just make me feel prickly and gave me the heeby jeebies and didn’t want him to do it again until the kids were older, and only nursing a small amount and I wasn’t making gallons of milk a day. HE didn’t care, I did. Any other time, I love that kind of attention, but a lot of us, when we have babies get “baby brain” and it puts sex on the back burner for a while. That doesn’t mean “no sex” (well at least not for me) but just “not everything we usually do, and not the frequency we used to have.”)
There’s not a lot sexy about newly lactating breasts. Beautiful, yes. Natural, yes. Healthy, Absolutely. Sensual, yes. Sexy, not really.
Most mothers are really focused on their babies when they are young and although good men will be patient, infants are never a boost to anyone’s sex life. (except for the part where you are making them.)
Anyway, I don’t think making a human being just to get larger breasts is a good idea. Most women do NOT have their breasts stay larger, a few do (as the female breast is not considered finished developing until it has lactated) but who knows? But, I’d save the baby making until YOU are ready for a child.
In the meantime, make the best of what you have. A lot of men LOVE small perky breasts (What’s not to love? They are adorable!) and think “more than a handful is a waste.” My sister used to have an “Itty Bitty Titty Club” T shirt (our mother HATED IT) but it really boosted her self esteem. She has Bs and for some reason thought THEY were “small” while the guys loved everything about her, and still do.
Be proud and confident about what you have. 🙂 You’ll never have to resort to a torturous “sports bra” just to work out, and when men talk to you, they’ll spend more time talking to you FACE instead of your chest. All good things.
ok, sorry if this sounds weird, but it’s the best real world example I know that, even if a man may have an ‘ideal’ body shape in his mind he can be very happy with someone who doesn’t fit that ideal if that’s who he falls in love with.. It’s pretty obvious my dad is a boob man, i mean nobody watches baywatch for the plot, but he has been very happily married to my mum, an A cup at best most of the time, for 35 years. They’ve raised 3 kids together, dealt with all the hard times life throws at them and still very obviously love each other and are attracted to each other (they still do that good coupley thing where if you’re close you touch, not in a sexual way (in front of us at least), more a comfort way, lots of hugs, a hand on a knee when watching telly etc.) Anyway, the message is, a guy who loves your personality, who you have chemistry with, who is attracted to X, Y or Z about you is not going to walk away because he likes a D cup! Love yourself as you are, do what you can to improve your self esteem, be it diet, exercise, a makeover or gorgeous undies or whatever and be happy with the unique person that is you and even if your perfect guy is a boob man he will love you and your B cups :0)
Since when is B small? I thought that was average. Try having A’s lady.
Elizabeth, we can disagree on some things and agree on many others, that is what adults do, respect each other and celebrate our differences.
About this issue, I think the poster needs to concentrate on her weight problem. She says she is heavy set and has a large body frame.
With exercise and proper dieting, she can get that hidden body of hers out for her to enjoy. Once she gets rid of the extra pounds, her beautiful feminine body will shine and her breats will look perfect.
I exercise a lot, did it all my life, and I know a few female friends that do so. I can tell you that once you get in shape, your body will no longer deposit fat cells in just about any part of your body ( because of the fat burning due to exercise and proper diet )…so the part that is left, naturally rish in fat cells, which is your breasts, will then become the magnet of your remaining fat storage functions ( body functions ), so your body will get leaner, and your breasts will get fuller.
And one last thing, a man that tells you or screens you for breast size is a piece of garbage that you want very far away from you.
i know how this lady feels. i have always felt that way, but being athletic, it was always hard to have any typed of curves. i disagree about the getting pregnant part. yes, you do end up having bigger boobs, but that only lasts a little while and then you end up with saggy boobs…which suck…especially when you’re young….and a lot of the time, your boobs end up smaller than what you had before. i say if you’re not happy with your size, buy some lingerie or bras that make you feel sexy and look the size you want.
At the risk of sounding “hippy-ish”, I really wish we could just all find a way to love ourselves. I really hate that women are basically pushed by society to all but hate themselves because of their physical appearance – we all have boobs that are too small, or too big, or we’re too short or tall, or fat or thin, or we have too many wrinkles or what have you. I think it sucks. Women are beautiful, no matter what size boobs or butts or waistlines we have. And someday, someone will love us, despite, or maybe even FOR these percieved flaws. I mean – James, I know we disagree about other stuff, but I truly appreciate what you’ve said on this post – that if you care for a woman, all of those little things she worries about don’t matter. And that’s true for a lot of guys I know too.
I hope that this poster can find a way to really care about herself, rather than doing something dangerous. Not that I would judge if she did! I just mean, its very very sad that people feel so pushed to change themselves to some ridiculous standard of beauty.
Boobless, I have large breasts, however I do understand how u feel in regards to feeling inadequate. We as women ALL have self issues that we feel insecure about, and no one can usually say anything to make us feel any better about it.maybe you should look into implants for your own gratification, from what you’ve stated in your letter it seems as if it would make u feel so much better about yourself. My only recomendation besides making sure the ogmentation looks as natural as possible by going to a good surgean, and NOT getting them TOO BIG.
I am a completely heterosexual woman, however, I look just like other women do, and too big is TOO MUCH. Good luck on whatever you decide to do, whether it’s implants or ultimately accepting what you have.
I love whatever that woman I fall in love brings in. I do not screen a woman based on her breasts, or other things.
The woman I like and fall in for is what I take home, and I accept her with all her attributes and shortcomings.
Years ago I went out with a woman with big implants. Let me tell you I do not ever want a woman like that, unless off course I learn that after the fact. Her breasts were hard and cold, like an actual barbie doll’s
Problem is that a lot of women are going the implant route…what a waste!
Big breasts are a pain in the ass most of the time. I know, I have them 🙁 It’s a pain to find a bra, it’s a pain to find a top that fits, it’s a pain to listen to all the idiots whispering or even shouting remarks behind you. I would happily give half of them for one day of going out of the house without a bra and once in my life buying a bra without anyone looking at me like I was a freak. Boobless, be careful what you wish for…:)
I absolutely LOVE small breasts. They are *incredibly* sexy. I think implants are trashy. I assure you there are tons of guys that agree with me. It’s too bad that the stereotype has become that most guys love big huge boobs. I don’t mean this to be mean, but boobless describes herself as “heavyset” — perhaps losing some weight would make her feel less “deformed and disproportionate”. And frankly, much healthier and happier, I’m sure.
Actually, exercising the muscles beneath the breasts does help to perk up what you do have. I am a B cup also and I have to say that my boobs look nicer and more appealing. Of course my bf doesn’t really care too much, but it matters to me….
There are still times where I get depressed about not having a larger cup size, but it doesn’t last too long. Friends of mine that have big breast wish they had my size. Of course I give them ‘the face’, but they really don’t like the back issues they have or saggy boobs.
more than a mouthful is a waste.
the problem with larger breasts is that as you get older they droop MUCH more than the smaller ones.
Don’t worry about small breasts. There are a LOT of men out there who prefer the A or B cups
I hated my A cups for a long time, and I am SO glad that I am over it. I had friends in high school with C to DD sizes who seriously contemplated reductions, and I always was relieved that I didn’t have to hunt for good sports bras and that I could buy shirts that close in the front and cute bathing suits that I’m not going to bounce out of. I dress for my shape and a push-up bra can’t hurt if I want to have cleavage, but these days I’m looking for a pretty and comfortable bra rather than a super push-up water bra.
Life is too short to hate your body. Unless you drastically change your lifestyle, you’re probably never going to be more physically attractive than you are right now, so be thankful for what you’ve got because you’ll miss it in a few years. Thank goodness I realized that in my 20s, because I hate to think that I hated my body so much as a teen when I was so attractive and I couldn’t imagine hitting 40 or 50 and realizing that I’ve never once liked the body I’ve been in all these years. Think of how much worse you could have it and embrace what you have! You’re healthy, you’re not obese, you have all your limbs; your body is going to be attractive to plenty of people, but not if you’re insecure about it.