Last updated date: 16-Jun-2023
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Anas Walid Shehada
Originally Written in English
Breast Asymmetry Correction
Breast asymmetry is far more common than most people realize. In fact, it is thought that almost all women have some degree of breast asymmetry. For many women, this asymmetry is so subtle that it is barely noticeable, if at all. Others are not so fortunate, and their pronounced breast asymmetry affects them physically and/or emotionally. If your breast asymmetry bothers you, breast surgery can help you achieve a more balanced and natural-looking bust line.
What is Breast Asymmetry?
Breast asymmetry occurs when the two breasts are not mirror images of one another and vary in some way. In reality, this is entirely typical. The great majority of women, in reality, have uneven breasts. The issue arises when the unevenness is so pronounced that it is difficult to ignore.
Breast asymmetry (also known as uneven breasts) happens when a woman has one breast that is larger, in a different position, or has a different volume than the other. It is a widespread disorder that affects more than half of all women. Breast asymmetry may be classified into three types:
- Anisomastia: this is where you will notice a significant difference in the volume and size of your breasts.
- Anisothelia: this is where you will mainly notice a difference between your nipples and areolas.
- Combined asymmetry: this is a combination of anisomastia and anisothelia.
Asymmetrical Breasts Causes
- The following details may help you better understand your symptoms. If your breast asymmetry becomes more apparent or bothersome, you should see a physician.
- Developmental causes
- Asymmetrical breasts may be due to developmental reasons, such as the following.
- Puberty: Adolescent breast growth is characterized by asymmetry. Breast asymmetry usually resolves by the time the breasts are completely formed, which is about the age of 18. Until then, the final degree of breast asymmetry cannot be established.
- Normal variation: Many women have asymmetrical breasts during puberty, and approximately 25% of these women will have asymmetry that persists into adulthood.
- Prepubescent injury: Breast asymmetry can result from injury to breast tissue before it has fully developed. Trauma, infection, or radiation to one side of the chest are all potential causes of asymmetric breast growth.
- Growths or masses
Asymmetrical breasts may also be due to a mass in the breast, that can be characterized as one of the following.
- Infection: A breast abscess usually manifests as a palpable, enlarged lump in one breast, accompanied by discomfort, redness, and warmth. A breast abscess is typically caused by a bacterial infection. The milk ducts in the breast can also get infected, which is typical in nursing mothers.
- Benign breast mass: A palpable breast mass, or a lump in the breast that you can feel, can cause breast asymmetry. Palpable breast lumps are prevalent in women aged 20 to 50, and 90% are benign. Breast masses in women under the age of 30 are usually bilateral and dissolve on their own. Fibrous changes during the menstrual cycle, cysts, and tissue damage following trauma to the breast are all examples of benign breast lumps.
- Malignant breast mass: There are several forms of invasive and noninvasive breast cancer that can create a breast tumor. Malignant breast masses are often firm, evident in just one breast, and occur in older women. Pain, overlaying skin changes, and nipple discharge can all be symptoms of malignant tumors.
- Other causes
- Other causes that may result in breast asymmetry include the following.
- Skeletal abnormality: Breasts may seem lopsided due to rib or spine bone anomalies. Asymmetry can result from rib anomalies such as fracture or deformity changing the contour of the chest wall.
- Curved spine: Scoliosis is a disorder in which the spine bends in an abnormal direction, either from front to back or from right to left. Even if the breasts are the same size, severe scoliosis can rotate the torso and create the illusion of asymmetry. Scoliosis is most frequent throughout adolescence.
- Surgical changes: Breast cancer is commonly treated by a lumpectomy, which is the removal of a portion of the breast tissue, or a mastectomy, which is the removal of the complete breast. Some women prefer reconstructive surgery to keep their breasts symmetrical, while others do not.
According to research, women with a breast asymmetry ratio of more than 20% may be at a greater risk of having breast cancer. It is critical to undergo frequent mammograms to ensure that any breast anomalies are detected and addressed as soon as possible. A doctor should always be consulted if there are any abnormal changes in the breast.
Breastfeeding and uneven breast size
Breast asymmetry is a natural component of breast feeding, especially if one of your breasts receives more stimulation than the other due to your infant preferring one breast over the other or if you feed on the same breast the majority of the time.
This can lead one breast to become bigger as it produces more milk, and switching between breasts can assist to avoid this problem. Asymmetrical breasts are not a medical problem for the majority of breastfeeding mothers. However, if one of your breasts has remained smaller since the beginning of your pregnancy and has not grown any larger, consult your doctor.
Asymmetrical breasts symptoms
Asymmetrical breasts are fairly prevalent, especially during adolescent breast growth. When the breasts are completely formed, this usually resolves themselves. However, 25% of women experience some degree of breast asymmetry throughout their lifetimes, which is totally normal and not often suggestive of an underlying issue. Women with more substantial deviations can be attributed to structural variations or lumps. Most breast lumps in women under the age of 50 are benign, but any lump in a woman over the age of 30 should be investigated. Breast examinations, imaging, and biopsy are all standard approaches for doctors to examine breast lumps in women.
Symptoms that can be associated with asymmetrical breasts include:
- Infection in the breast
- Pain in the breast
- Lump in the breast
- Surgical scar
- Abnormal curvature of the spine
- Abnormality of the rib cage
How is Breast Asymmetry Diagnosed?
A full history and physical examination, including a breast examination, are used to make the diagnosis of breast asymmetry. A mammography or ultrasound examination of the breasts will also be recommended by the doctor to check that the shape variation is not related to breast development.
Anyone who develops asymmetry should see a doctor for additional evaluation. Another mammography will most likely be performed to thoroughly examine both breasts. Ultrasound imaging is an additional test used to look for symptoms of breast cancer. A biopsy may be recommended by a clinician as a follow-up to these examinations. Breast tissue will be tested in a laboratory to see if it contains cancer cells. A tiny needle is frequently used to extract the tissue sample.
The interior anatomy of your breasts will be investigated during a mammography (breast scan). Although breasts of varied sizes are prevalent, they typically have a similar interior structure and density. If your breasts are asymmetrical due to density, your doctor will categorize the difference into one of four categories:
- Asymmetry: If a lesion or abnormality is discovered, your doctor will refer you to a three-dimensional imaging test so that a clearer internal picture of your breast can be built for further examination.
- Global asymmetry: This is where one breast has more volume or density than the other, normally as the result of hormonal changes.
- Focal asymmetry: A density can be seen on two mammographic views, and further imaging and evaluation will be required to determine what it is.
- Developing asymmetry: A significant change has been detected between past and current exams, and could potentially be a sign of malignant cells.
How is Breast Asymmetry Treated?
The following treatments for asymmetrical breasts can be completed at home.
- Bras, padding, or inserts: Asymmetrical breasts might benefit from bras with padding on one side. This is especially beneficial for teenagers who are concerned about breast asymmetry while their breasts are still growing. This is also beneficial for those who have post-surgical asymmetry as a result of a lumpectomy or mastectomy.
- Observation: If you're under 30, and you find a new breast lump, it's most likely benign. A doctor may advise you to keep an eye on the lump at home for many menstrual cycles to see if it changes or resolves on its own.
Breast asymmetry is often defined by a discrepancy in size or volume. If there is only a minor variation, it may go unnoticed most of the time. However, some women's breasts can vary in size by more than a cup, making them visible even to strangers. Furthermore, some women's breasts may differ in form or undergo changes during pregnancy, breastfeeding, and aging that result in asymmetry. Aging breasts, for example, may droop at different rates, resulting in one sinking notably lower than the other.
Breast augmentation can cause asymmetry in rare circumstances. Natural asymmetry might become more obvious after breast implants are inserted if a plastic surgeon does not account for it. Surgical problems following breast augmentation might result in apparent cosmetic alterations to only one breast. If the differences between your breasts bother you, regardless of the cause, consider scheduling a consultation with a plastic surgeon to discuss your options for achieving a more even breast appearance.
Your Surgical Options
Breast asymmetry can be corrected through breast surgery. There are several surgical approaches that can help you achieve breast symmetry:
- Breast Augmentation: To balance the breasts, an implant is placed in the smaller breast or implants of different sizes are placed in both breasts. This method will enlarge the breasts while also improving their shape.
- Breast Augmentation with Fat Transfer: To increase the size of the smaller breast, the surgeon might take excess fat from another part of the body and inject it into it. This method can be successful for people with mild asymmetry (i.e., less than one cup size difference), but it is more difficult to rely on as a breast asymmetry correction since the quantity of fat that will properly graft into the breast tissue varies.
- Breast Lift: A breast lift can be performed by the surgeon to reshape and reposition the breasts so that they appear youthful and balanced. This method is best for women who have sagging breasts, especially if the sagging is uneven.
- Breast Reduction: The surgeon can remove extra breast tissue surgically to decrease the size of either the bigger breast or both breasts. This method is appropriate for ladies who experience mental or physical discomfort as a result of their abnormally big breasts.
- Breast Revision: Breast revision can be performed by the surgeon to correct asymmetry caused by surgical complications associated with breast augmentation, such as implant deflation or capsular contracture. This method improves the appearance of the breasts and improves their condition.
When to see a doctor?
The majority of changes in breast size are caused by hormonal changes, which will naturally correct themselves. However, if these changes in your uneven boobs persist or if you experience any of the following symptoms, you should see your doctor so that they can rule out any potential health issues:
- Swelling in one of your breasts
- Pain in your chest area
- Nipple discharge or fluid
- Abnormal changes to the nipple
- A one-sided lump on one of your breasts that has suddenly appeared
- The variation between the size of your breasts is significantly large
- The skin around the breast is red, itchy, flaky or firm and dimpled (like orange peel)
- The tissue around the breast or under the arm feels firm or thick
FAQs About Breast Asymmetry Correction
1. Can uneven breasts cause back pain?
Extremely uneven breasts can cause back pain, especially if there is a significant weight difference between the two sides of the body.
2. Is asymmetric breast tissue a sign of malignancy (cancer)?
Breast asymmetry is rarely a cause for concern. However, if your breast density suddenly changes or if the variation between breasts is unusually large, this could be an indication of cancer.
3. Can weight loss cause breast asymmetry?
Uneven breasts can be caused by losing weight. Because the breast contains a certain amount of fatty tissue, their size can change at different rates.
4. How much breast asymmetry is normal?
Most women have some degree of breast asymmetry, which is perfectly normal in most cases. However, if you notice a sudden change in the shape or size of one breast, you should contact your doctor so that the cause can be determined.
5. How common is asymmetric breast tissue?
Asymmetric breast tissue is something that is very common, and is spotted on around 3% of mammogram scans.
6. Will uneven breasts even out?
Although some breast unevenness is natural, and your breast size may fluctuate owing to variables such as hormonal fluctuations and weight increase, your breasts are unlikely to totally level out on their own. If you are particularly worried about the differing sizes of your breasts and it is harming your self-esteem, you may want to consider breast surgery.
7. Can breast asymmetry be prevented?
Breast asymmetry cannot be avoided since it most usually arises during adolescence while the breasts are growing or as a consequence of hereditary reasons. If you're nursing, try switching between breasts to minimize breast unevenness.
Breast asymmetry is a condition in which one breast differs from the other in location, size, or form. In most circumstances, this is a typical occurrence. A considerable difference or quick emergence of asymmetry, on the other hand, has been related to an increased risk of developing breast cancer.
Medically Reviewed By
Dr. Anas Walid Shehada