Surprising breast changes that happen once you turn 40: Are yours normal?
Hollywood may have us all believing that having perky, bouncy and unblemished breasts right into our 60s is the norm, but the truth is far from it.
As we age we all deal with the side effects of having carried our breasts through decades of life, love, hundreds of outfits, tens of bras and maybe even a few children to boot. As we hit 40 it’s time to start paying some extra attention to our breast buddies.
Why are my breasts bigger in my 40s?
As a woman, when you hit your 40s your body changes. This time of ‘perimenopause’, ie ‘the change before the change’, is a really significant time that is not often talked about, sandwiched as it is between youth and menopause. It’s actually a really important time to start noticing changes in your breast health, and start important conversations with those around you.
The first change you might notice is breast sensitivity. This is due to increased surges of estrogen, so your breasts can become tender and you may notice them a lot more than you did before.
Your bra may start to feel a bit tighter than it used to. The shorter cycles, increased estrogen and inflammation can lead to swelling. This is more common in overweight women, as stored fat can increase oestrogen in your bloodstream.
So what about sagging? Should we be aiming to look like J-Lo, or is what we’ve got going on normal?
As you age, you lose collagen, your skin becomes less elastic and your tendons lose strength. Your Cooper’s Ligaments: bands of tough, fibrous, flexible connective tissue that shape and support your breasts, begin to sag. There’s nothing we can do about these specifically, but lifestyle factors can make a lot of small differences.
Your 40s is also the time when your breast cancer risk begins to rise
As your breasts age they can change shape, get lumpier and even denser. This can lead to feeling more lumps but also more difficulty in finding the troublesome ones. That’s why getting regular check-ups and screens to make sure anything concerning is caught early is a really good idea.
Unfortunately, fear of embarrassment or anxiety about the screening procedure are common deterrents for women from having a breast screen. Although it may be a little uncomfortable, the few minutes of discomfort far outweigh the alternative.
Improving your breast health in your 40s
Exercises like push-ups, wearing a more supportive bra, knowing your family health history and focusing on maintaining a healthy weight will go a long way to ensuring you have healthy breasts going into your 40s, 50s and 60s.
Getting regular breast exams and noticing what changes aren’t normal are also crucial, and should become a regular part of your healthful routine.
Utilising our easy to follow ‘three step’ process, LOOK, LIFT, FEEL, which is a simple breast examination you can undertake yourself at home in front of the mirror, is the ideal way to check the health of your breasts on a regular basis. It is not meant to replace regular check-ups, but rather supplement them in between check-ups and annual scans. If you find anything concerning, you can make an appointment with your GP who will then determine the next best steps.
The biggest factors to be aware of regarding breast cancer
The two biggest factors you need to be aware of are non-modifiable; being female and increasing age. However, there are modifiable factors. Lifestyle plays a part. Alcohol consumption such as drinking beer, wine and spirits can increase the levels of oestrogen and other hormones in the body associated with breast cancer development. Smoking can increase your risk of breast cancer. However, regular exercise not only helps to keep your weight in check but can also lower oestrogen levels and boost your immune system.
If you’re a little embarrassed to talk about your breasts with your friends, now is a great time to start opening up the topic as everyone is probably feeling as anxious as you. It can be a really great feeling to realise that while everyone is different, you’re actually totally normal.
Cosmetic Surgery Options
As you’ve gracefully aged, your breasts may be more saggy than what you’d hoped – even if you look after your health! Warrier Practice offer various cosmetic breast surgeries such as breast reduction & ‘fat transfer to breasts’ which can potentially help boost your confidence as you mature.