As you age, your breasts may lose firmness and fullness. You may also have an increased risk of growths in the breasts.
As you age, the tissue and structure of your breasts begin to change due to differences in your reproductive hormone levels. As a result of these changes, along with aging, your breasts begin to lose their firmness and fullness.
Aging can also increase your risk of developing growths in the breasts, such as:
- fibroadenomas
- cysts
- cancer
People of any age can develop these conditions. Give yourself regular breast self-exams to check for any growths.
Here’s what you need to know about changes in the breasts due to aging.
As you age, your body’s natural production of estrogen declines. This reduced amount of estrogen causes the skin and connective tissue of the breast to become less hydrated, making it less elastic.
With less elasticity, the breasts lose firmness and fullness and can develop a stretched and looser appearance. It’s not uncommon to change your cup size as you age.
Fatty tissue
Many changes in the breasts occur around the time of menopause. These changes may cause breast pain and tenderness.
Menopause is a natural process during which ovulation and menstruation stop. This transition normally occurs between the ages of 45 and 55. You’re officially in menopause when you haven’t had a period for 12 consecutive months.
If you’ve had your ovaries surgically removed or have medically induced menopause, such as from chemo or testosterone therapy, you can have changes in your breasts at any time due to the loss of hormones.
Common changes that occur in the breasts due to age include:
- stretch marks
- downward-pointing nipples
- an elongated, stretched, or flattened appearance
- wider space between the breasts
- lumpiness, which may be due to benign fibrocystic breast disease or serious conditions like breast cancer
Breast changes that may indicate an issue
Some changes aren’t normal. See your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- puckering or dimpling
- redness
- thickening of breast skin
- a pulled-in nipple
- nipple discharge
- breast pain
- hard lumps
- one breast looks significantly different than the other
Many breast changes occur as part of the aging process. But if you’re concerned about whether your breast changes are related to aging or another cause, it is best to get an examination from a trained medical professional.
If you’re significantly distressed by changes like a lack of firmness or fullness, you may want to consider surgical or nonsurgical treatment options. Cosmetic surgery can replace the fullness of the breasts as well as the position of the nipples.
There’s no current definitive treatment for stretch marks, but some topical products may be useful in minimizing their appearance. Some people may also opt for laser treatments.
Discuss these options with your doctor to find out which is best for you.
Remember, these aging changes in your breasts are normal. You don’t have to treat them if you don’t want to. Instead, embrace them!
There’s no sure way to prevent aging-related changes in your breasts.
It’s also important to be as kind to your body as possible throughout your life. By getting adequate and regular sleep, eating a healthy diet, staying hydrated, and performing regular exercise, you can do your best to support your body as you age.
Not smoking, or quitting smoking if you currently do, can support good skin and tissue health.
Doctors also recommend performing a monthly self-breast exam to monitor changes and check for possible symptoms of breast cancer.
Some changes to your breasts are normal and expected as you age. These changes can include a loss of density, firmness, or fullness.
While eating a nutritious diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising can provide support as you age, it isn’t possible to definitively prevent breast changes associated with aging.
Some products, procedures, and surgeries may reduce the appearance of aging breasts if the changes distress, though these are not medically necessary.