Breast Changes
Tuesday, October 7th, 2008
Breast anatomy
The Women’s breasts contain fatty tissue, connective tissue and ligaments, which surround glandular tissue. The glandular tissue is made up of lobes (groups of milk glands or lobules) connected to milk ducts. The pectoral muscles of the chest lie underneath the breasts, but the breasts themselves have no muscle tissue. Breasts only have fragile ligaments, connective tissue, and skin for support.
Since gravity causes breast ptosis (saggy breasts), larger breasts are more likely to sag because they weigh more than smaller ones. Wearing a bra that properly supports your breasts can help take the weight off. Flat-chested women are less likely to see their breasts sag.
Stretching and Age Make Breasts Sag
The ligaments, skin, and connective tissue that support the breast stretch as they grow. Each time you gain and then lose weight from dieting or pregnancy it becomes harder for them to stretch back. So your breasts lose their natural support.
The eventual loss of elasticity in the breasts due to age also affects this support structure, even if you maintain a consistent weight and do not bear children. Collagen gives the breasts’ connective tissue its strength and flexibility. Collagen dries up as you age, especially during menopause, so breasts lose this support resulting in sagging breasts.
Fat content largely determines breast size. Loss of fat can make breasts look empty. So can the process of breast involution, which is the shutting down and shrinking of your glandular (milk producing) system after breastfeeding, pregnancy, and especially during menopause.
What to Do About Saggy Breasts?
Stop smoking, wearing a supportive bra during the day and a sports bra while you exercise can help delay droopy breasts, swimming. But eventually age will catch up.