How and Why A Woman's Breasts Change with Age

*This is a collaborative post.

As women age, it is natural for their breasts to change appearance. From developing to post-menopausal, they will change shape over a woman's lifetime. Over time, a woman's breasts will change in terms of their firmness, shape, and appearance and may even develop lumps.

How and why do women's breasts change appearance?

Firmness - As estrogen levels change, the breast's connective tissue shrinks and begins to lose shape. This can lead to saggy and fatty consistency. 

Shape - Breasts begin to change shape around 40 years old, or before this age if you've given birth. 

Appearance - An example of the altering of the breast's appearance is around the nipple (areola) area. The nipple tends to become smaller as you age and may even disappear or turn in slightly. But this will happen in later years. Also, as years go by, you may start to notice a wider space between your breasts. 

Lumps - Most breast lumps are harmless. However, you must get ANY lump checked out by a doctor should you feel one. It's important to perform regular breast checks so you can get a better understanding of what is normal for you and also highlight any abnormalities or changes you may see or feel. I check my breasts every time I wash my hair, so that's about every 4-5 days. It's an easy way for me to remember to check. 

Hormones also play a part in the changes in breast shape. As women get older, they go through a lot of hormonal changes i.e. menopause. 

It's important that as a woman, you wear the right bra according to your age. Belle Lingerie has highlighted this in an article discussing a woman's journey with their body and the changes a woman's breasts go through at different stages of life. This article discusses how a woman's body transforms with age, from puberty to post-menopause. The article also discusses what type of bra a woman should wear at different aspects of their life. Wearing a bra that offers the optimum comfort and support is important. 

What bra should I be wearing for around my age?

Puberty - as an adolescent female is developing, a training bra, bralette or sports bra is the ideal bra to wear. These bras will then provide comfort and support during development.

Pregnancy - breast changes are the biggest indicator of pregnancy. A woman's breasts will naturally change shape during pregnancy, they may even increase by one cup size. Because of this, pregnant women need to wear maternity, nursing or non-wired bras during pregnancy. 

Postpartum and breastfeeding - after pregnancy, it's normal for breasts to increase in size and feel more tender. It's recommended to have your bra measured after pregnancy to ensure you're not wearing a bra that's too small or tight. This could then result in putting pressure on milk ducts and cause blockages. The best bra to wear after pregnancy is a maternity or nursing bra.

Menopause - most women begin menopause between the ages of 45-55. The most common sign of the breast changing appearance during menopause is the breasts losing their elasticity. As menopause can also bring hot flushes, wearing supportive sports bras is the perfect bra to wear as they bring more comfort and breathable material. 

Post-menopause - at this stage, breasts will have less volume and be softer to the touch. Supportive bras with wide straps are perfect for women to wear post-menopause. If mobility is limited, front-closure bras are the ideal bras to wear. 

So, it's normal for women's breasts to change over time and with age.

It may cause a decrease in confidence, but as long as a woman wears the right-fitting bra, it'll be just fine. I'm not looking forward to the day when my breasts start to sag or droop, but I know it's part of the ageing process, so I'll need to accept that.

I'd love to know your thoughts on this!