Having larger breasts is a common desire for many women. While there is no way to make your breasts grow on their own, there are some options that can help increase your breast size. The method that will work best depends on your specific goals, budget, and comfort level.
What determines breast size?
Breast size is mainly determined by genetics, body weight, age, and hormonal factors. Breast tissue is composed of fat, milk ducts, and connective tissue. The amount of fat determines the size, while the milk ducts and connective tissue provide support and shape.
Here are some key factors that influence breast size:
- Genetics – Your genetic makeup largely determines the size of your breasts. If other women in your family have large breasts, you are more likely to as well.
- Body weight – Breasts are composed primarily of adipose tissue or fat. When you gain or lose a significant amount of weight, your breast size will fluctuate.
- Age – Breasts typically stop growing by the time women reach their late teens. Changes in breast size later in life are usually due to weight fluctuations.
- Hormones – Estrogen, progesterone, prolactin, and growth hormones all affect breast tissue. Changes in these hormone levels during puberty, pregnancy, and menopause can increase breast size.
Natural ways to increase breast size
If you are looking for subtle natural enlargement, there are a few options to try first before considering medical procedures.
Gain weight
As mentioned above, breasts are primarily composed of adipose fat tissue. Gaining weight can increase overall body fat, and some of that fat will go to the breasts. However, it’s impossible to control exactly where that fat is distributed. Weight gain could also increase your breast, hip, and waist size.
Improve your diet
Eating a healthy, balanced diet rich in protein, healthy fats, vegetables, and fruit may help enhance breast size over time. Make sure to get adequate high-quality protein from sources like lean meat, eggs, legumes, and dairy. Healthy fats like olive oil, avocado, nuts, and salmon can also support breast growth. Phytoestrogens from foods like soy, flaxseeds, legumes, and sesame seeds may weakly mimic estrogen to promote tissue growth.
Breast massage
Some women have found that regular breast massage helps increase circulation and stimulate tissue growth. Use a natural oil and massage each breast in a circular pattern for 5-10 minutes daily. Be very gentle and stop if you feel any pain.
Breast enlargement pumps
Breast enlargement pumps are devices that use suction to stretch breast tissue. Using a pump for 10-20 minutes daily may gradually enlarge breasts over several weeks or months. Results are modest for most women, with gains of just 1/2 to 1 cup size. Consistency is key to seeing any changes.
Breast enhancement supplements
Some botanical supplements claim to increase breast size when taken daily. These generally contain herbs that contain compounds similar to estrogen, such as:
- Fenugreek
- Wild yam
- Saw palmetto
- Fennel
- Black cohosh
Research on the efficacy of these supplements is lacking. While some women report mild success, results are inconsistent. Always consult your doctor before taking any herbal supplements, especially if you have any medical conditions.
Medical procedures for breast enlargement
If you are looking for more dramatic breast enlargement, there are a few medical procedures that are effective options. Work with a board-certified plastic surgeon if you decide to undergo any invasive treatments.
Breast augmentation surgery
Breast augmentation surgery, also known as augmentation mammoplasty, uses implants to increase breast size. This involves surgical placement of silicone or saline breast implants under the chest muscle tissue. Augmentation is the most popular cosmetic surgery procedure performed in the U.S., with over 300,000 procedures annually. It’s been shown to be generally safe when done by an experienced plastic surgeon. Results are immediate and dramatic.
The average breast augmentation uses 400-500cc sized implants, which increases cup size by approximately 1-3 sizes. Key factors that determine your results include implant type, size, placement, and your existing breast tissue. Risks include capsular contracture, implant rupture, nipple sensation changes, and the need for revision surgery. Full recovery takes 4-6 weeks.
Fat transfer breast augmentation
Fat transfer breast augmentation uses liposuction to take fat from another part of your body and inject it into the breasts. Common donor sites include the abdomen, hips, thighs, or buttocks. This can safely increase your cup size by approximately 1/2 to 1 full size. It provides a soft, natural feel and can complement breast lifts and implants.
The main drawback is that some of the transferred fat can be reabsorbed, so results may diminish over the first year. There are also risks of fat necrosis, calcification, and oil cysts. For many women, the benefits outweigh these risks.
Breast lift surgery
If your breasts have begun to sag due to age, weight fluctuations, or genetics, a breast lift may be an option. This procedure removes excess skin and tightens supporting breast tissue to restore a youthful contour. Breast lifts are often combined with implants or fat transfer procedures to increase size at the same time.
A breast lift alone will not substantially increase breast size. However, it can help enlarged breasts look fuller and perkier. Results of a breast lift are permanent, aside from natural aging and gravity over time.
How to choose your breast enlargement method
The best way to increase your breast size depends on your specific situation. Here are a few key factors to consider when deciding on a method:
Your desired increase
How much larger would you like your breasts to be? Natural approaches like massage or pumps generally provide very modest gains of up to 1 cup size. Major increases of 1-3 cup sizes are only possible with breast augmentation surgery.
Your current breast shape and position
If you have significant breast sagging, a lift may be recommended in addition to augmentation. If your breasts are asymmetrical, implants can be sized differently to match them up.
Your budget
Natural methods like diet, massage, and pills range from free to under $100. Pumps cost $100-$200. Cosmetic surgery ranges from $3,000 – $10,000 depending on the technique used.
Your health status
Pre-existing conditions like diabetes, smoking, obesity, bleeding disorders, or autoimmune disease increase the risks of breast surgery. Certain health issues may make someone ineligible. Natural approaches are lower risk.
Your comfort with procedures
Consider your pain tolerance and willingness to undergo surgery and recovery time. For many busy moms or professionals, non-surgical options are more convenient.
Discuss all your options during consultations with a plastic surgeon and primary care doctor. Get their advice based on your health, breast anatomy, and goals.
Frequently asked questions
Can breast massage increase size?
Yes, regular breast massage may modestly increase size for some women. Use a natural oil to massage in a circular pattern for 5-10 minutes per breast daily. Consistency is key.
Do birth control pills increase breast size?
Birth control pills that contain both estrogen and progesterone can increase breast size in some women by approximately 1/2 cup size due to hormone effects. This side effect is temporary and breasts return to normal 6-12 months after stopping the pill.
Do breasts shrink with age or weight loss?
It’s common for breasts to get smaller with age or significant weight loss due to diminishing glandular tissue, milk ducts, and fat. Maintaining a healthy stable weight can help prevent breast shrinkage.
Can I make my breasts grow without surgery?
Yes, natural options like massage, pumps, herbal supplements, and weight gain can increase breast size up to approximately 1 cup size for some women. Larger increases require surgical breast augmentation.
Do push-up bras permanently increase breast size?
No, push-up bras temporarily lift and squeeze breast tissue to create cleavage but do not permanently make breasts bigger. However, getting properly fitted for a supportive bra can help breasts maintain their natural shape.
Conclusion
Increasing breast size is possible for many women using both natural and surgical methods. For mild enlargement, start with natural options like massage, diet changes, pumps, and supplements. Research each option carefully, as results vary widely. For significant 1-3 cup size growth, implants or fat transfer augmentation are effective solutions with high patient satisfaction. Schedule consultations to determine the best options tailored to your unique anatomy, health status, goals, and comfort level with different procedures. Be realistic about results and make sure you have support throughout the process. With the right approach, you can gain confidence by enhancing your curves.