The breast is a symbol of female fulfilment, self-esteem and well-being. But problems can arise in the development of the breast that cause a great deal of psychological or even physical distress.
The good news is that they can be corrected!
Learn about the main conditions related to breast development and how plastic surgery can help correct them, providing women with physical and emotional well-being.
How does breast growth occur?
The process of female breast formation begins even before birth.
However, it is in puberty, This is when the production of oestrogen increases, the "breast buds" are formed and the mammary glands begin to develop.
Breast growth is one of the most important events in the transformation of the female body, as it is a sign of “becoming a woman”.
However, this growth doesn't happen equally in all women and some malformations can occur in breast development, in one breast or both.
What's more, the breast is constantly changing throughout life, from puberty, through adolescence and motherhood, to the menopause.
This is because the different cells that make up the breast - such as the mammary glands, the stroma and the skin itself - are influenced by changes that take place in a woman's body throughout her life.
These changes are caused by various factors, including
- Varying levels of the female hormones oestrogen and progesterone;
- Weight fluctuations;
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- The natural process of ageing.
Common problems in breast development
1. Excessive growth
There is no standard size for breasts to be considered normal: it varies greatly from woman to woman and according to their body structure.
However, breast hypertrophy, macromastia and gigantomastia are medical names that indicate excess breast volume and possible disproportionality to the woman's figure.
These problems in breast development cause physical and emotional problems, as well as aesthetic issues.
For example, overweight breasts can lead to complications and back pain and affect a woman's quality of life.
Origin
Genetic and hereditary issues, hormonal dysfunctions, pregnancy and obesity are the most common causes of excessive breast growth.
Treatment
The solution to excess breast volume is breast lift surgery. breast reduction. This procedure is recommended for women who:
- They suffer from back or neck pain;
- They have problems with their posture;
- They often have sores on the skin of the lower part of the breast from friction and deep marks on their shoulders from the weight of the bra strap.
All these reasons are indications that you need to reduce your breast size for greater comfort.
Also, if a woman doesn't feel good about her breasts, feels ashamed and tends to hide the excess volume with baggy clothes, then clearly her self-esteem is affected and it's important to resort to surgery.
2. Breast hypoplasia
Unlike hypertrophy, women suffering from breast hypoplasia have significantly small or very underdeveloped breasts.
In these cases, even though the breast is small, it doesn't fail to fulfil its role correctly, nor does it have a dysfunctional shape. For this reason, the usual consequence of this change is more psychological than physical.
Unilateral hypoplasia can result in breast asymmetry.
The truth is that there are many women whose small-breasted complex causes them anguish and self-esteem and/or emotional problems.
Origin
The basis of hypoplasia can be underdevelopment of the breast due to insufficient hormonal stimulation, or a progressive decrease in volume, particularly after breastfeeding or significant weight loss.
Treatment
For hypoplasia, the solution is the breast augmentation. This is the most commonly performed surgery worldwide, including in Portugal.
The development of plastic surgery means that there are several types of implants, They come in different sizes, shapes and coatings, as well as different approaches to their placement and different scars.
A breast augmentation recovery augmentation is usually quick and quiet.
3. Amastia and Amazia of the breast
A amastia is defined by the total and congenital absence of the mammary gland. In this case, there is an absence of breast tissue, the areola and the nipple, which can occur unilaterally or bilaterally.
The amazon It is also characterised by the absence of breast tissue and the pectoral muscle, but with the presence of an areola and nipple.
Origin
Both amastia and amazia are very rare and are associated with birth defects.
Treatment
In these situations, a breast augmentation should be performed to add volume and change the shape of the breast, making it more harmonious and proportional.
4. Breast asymmetry
A breast asymmetry represents a common problem in breast development.
In theory, the two breasts should be symmetrical, with the same shape and equal volume, but in reality this is not the case.
Almost all women have some degree of breast asymmetry, but when it stops being slight and becomes pronounced and/or noticeable, it can be very upsetting.
The difference between each breast can be noticeable in terms of size, shape, sagging or nipples - or combine some or all of these types of asymmetry.
Origin
Breast asymmetries can originate from congenital malformations, during breast development in adolescence, or even due to hormonal disorders, breastfeeding, or during motherhood or the menopause.
Treatment
Regardless of their cause, breast asymmetries can be corrected through breast surgery.
Each breast may require different surgery and, in the case of implants, different sizes may be fitted.
For example, a woman may have one very small breast and the other large and sagging. This situation may require an implant in one breast and a reduction and removal in the other.
Whatever technique is used, the aim will always be to find the best symmetry, both in size, shape and position.
5. Breast tuberous
A tuberous breast is a congenital malformation in the chest that gives it a tube-like appearance.
This condition affects a large number of women all over the world and occurs during the period of breast development.
It is characterised by a narrowing of the base of the breast and an increase in the diameter of the areola, often positioned below the inframammary fold.
The tissue covering the mammary gland is excessively rigid and does not expand, tending to protrude via a less resistant route, which is the thin skin of the nipples.
This deformity, often accompanied by breast asymmetry, proves to be highly devastating on a psychological level, as it causes serious changes to the shape and volume of the breast.
Origin
The main risk factor is having women with the same condition in the family.
Treatment
The decision to treat tuberous breasts is made according to each patient's situation. It usually includes remodelling the existing gland, eliminating excess aureolar tissue and placing breast implants through a single incision (cut) around the areolas.
Breast implants will change the tubular appearance, give a rounder shape and fill out the lower pole of the breast.
It may also be necessary to have a breast lift to correct sagging breasts.
Other breast malformations
There are also women who are born with congenital anomalies in the breast area, namely polytelia and polymastia, which correspond to one or more nipples and accessory or additional breasts. The solution to correcting these is to remove them.
Breast development problems can be solved, but choose a specialist
Regardless of the problem, it is very important that the intervention is carried out by a qualified plastic surgeon and with experience in this type of deformity.
The treatment of these alterations requires the application of a variety of techniques that are very different from those usually used for a common breast augmentation.
