What is Sagging Breast? - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

The breast mostly comprises fat cells, glandular tissue, and ligaments. There are glands in breasts called lobules that produce milk in women, which is fed to the newborn child. Breasts can be of different sizes and shapes. 

Breast size and shape vary from woman to woman. It is natural for women's breasts to change their original shape, lose elasticity, and sag with age. Different women may have varying levels of breast sagging due to factors such as ageing, bad posture, genetics etc.

Breast ptosis, the medical term for sagging breasts, is one of the most common conditions in women. It is treated by plastic surgeons.

Different women may have varying levels of breast sagging due to multiple factors. For example, some women may have a genetic predisposition to sagging, while others may experience significant sagging after pregnancy and breastfeeding. 

Additionally, the size and shape of a woman's breasts can affect how quickly they sag over time. For example, larger breasts may experience more sagging due to their weight, while smaller breasts may sag less.

The severity of breast sagging is often classified into different stages based on the position of the nipple in relation to the inframammary fold (the crease where the breast meets the chest wall).

There are three stages of the sagging breast:

1. Grade 1 Ptosis: The nipple is at the level of the inframammary fold or slightly above it.
2. Grade 2 Ptosis: The nipple is below the level of the inframammary fold but still above the lowest contour of the breast.
3. Grade 3 Ptosis: The nipple is significantly below the inframammary fold level and at the breast's lowest contour.

Breasts, like any other body part, change. If they seem to sit lower on the chest with nipples pointing downwards and the top of the breast does not look as full as it used to, then the woman will likely suffer from sagging breasts. Below are some of the most common indicators of sagging breasts:

1. Stretch Marks: When the skin stretches due to the weight of the breasts, it can cause stretch marks. These are typically silver, red or purple and can appear anywhere on the breasts.
2. Lacking Fullness: When breasts sag, they may appear to be lacking fullness in the upper portion. This is because the tissues that support the breasts, including the ligaments and skin, gradually weaken over time, causing the breasts to droop. As a result, the breast tissue may redistribute, leading to a loss of volume in the upper part of the breasts.
3. Nipple Position: The degree of breast ptosis can be determined by the nipple position. One will likely have a sagging breast if the nipple is below the breast fold. As the breasts sag, the position of the nipple may also change. In some cases, the nipples may point downward or may sit lower on the breast.
4. Drooping or Sagging Breasts: This is a common symptom of breast ptosis. The breasts appear to have lost their firmness and have a downward orientation.
5. Bra Discomfort: Women with sagging breasts may experience discomfort when wearing a bra. The bra may not fit properly, causing pain or discomfort because of sagginess.
6. Breast Asymmetry: Sagging breasts can also cause breast asymmetry, where one breast appears lower than the other. 

Sagging breasts are a natural part of the ageing process, and many women experience it to some degree. But there are many factors other than age that may cause sagging breasts. These include:

1. Old Age: Age is one of the most common reasons behind sagging breasts. Irrespective of who the woman is and what she wears, by the mid-30s, a woman's breast starts to lose fatty tissue, reducing size and fullness.  
2. Obesity: If the woman is overweight, the skin and breast tissue may stretch and droop. Excessive body fat can stretch the skin and the breast tissue, causing the breasts to lose their natural elasticity and firmness.
3. Multiple Pregnancies: Multiple pregnancies cause the ligaments that support the breast to stretch and droop as they support the baby. 

Sagging Breasts Risk Factors

While ageing is inevitable, other factors put a woman at risk of having sagging breasts. Other risk factors for sagging breasts include: 

1. Genetics: The shape and size of a woman's breasts are largely determined by her genes, and some women may be more prone to sagging due to their genetic makeup.
2. Hormonal Imbalance: Menopause causes a hormonal change that affects skin elasticity. The ligaments and connective tissues in a woman's breast give shape to her breasts and while oestrogen helps maintain its elasticity. With an increase in age, the amount of oestrogen in a woman's body decreases, negatively affecting the elasticity of her skin, resulting in sagging breasts. 
3. Breast Cancer: Certain medical conditions like breast cancer and tuberculosis can weaken tissue and support, leading to sagging breasts.
4. Poor Nutrition: The skin requires certain nutrients to maintain its elasticity and firmness. For example, protein is essential for the production of collagen, which gives the skin its strength and structure. A diet lacking in protein can lead to a loss of skin elasticity and contribute to sagging breasts.
5. UV Radiation: Exposure to the sun's UV rays breaks down collagen and elastin.
6. Smoking: Smoking can weaken the skin and connective tissue, leading to premature sagging of the breasts.

Although sagging breasts are a condition that cannot be eliminated, some ways can either reduce or slow the process of sagging breasts. Lifestyle affects the body, so it's important to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Some of the preventive measures for sagging breasts:

1. Balanced Diet: It is no shocker that consuming a healthy and balanced diet with the right nutrients, vitamins, and proteins is the ultimate solution to all problems related to the body or the skin.Foods rich in antioxidants like fruits, vegetables, and nuts can help to protect your skin from damage and keep it healthy and elastic. Although the diet is not magical, preventing skin from ageing or undoing the effects of gravity, eating a diet rich in antioxidants is good for skin all over the body. Drinking fluids will keep the body hydrated, making the skin look better.
2. Consistent Weight: Gaining or losing too much weight can stretch the skin past its ability to snap back. Avoid big fluctuations in weight to prevent stretched skin around breasts. 
3. Exercises for Sagging Breasts: A woman's breast has no muscular tissue and is made of soft, glandular tissue. Understanding the sagging breast meaning indicates that the muscles around the breast are not strengthened. Certain exercises for sagging breasts can be done to have toned and firm breasts. Any exercise involving the major and minor pectoralis muscle (both of them lie behind the breasts) will go a long way in preventing sagging breasts. Before doing any exercise, consult a gym instructor or a doctor. Here are some of the exercises to slow or reduce the effects of this condition:
   1. Chest Fly
   2. Push-ups
   3. Dumbbell lateral raise
4. Sagging Breast Bra: The sagging breast bra especially applies to physical activities like jogging. A sports bra that provides support to the breast can reduce breast motion. Wearing a supportive bra that fits properly can help support your breasts and prevent sagging. Avoid wearing bras that are too tight or too loose.
5. Apply Sunscreen: Exposure to the harmful UV rays of the sun can cause damage to the skin. Excessive sun exposure can cause the skin to lose its elasticity, leading to sagging breasts. Even if the breasts are not exposed to the sun, the skin around them can get damaged. The surrounding skin helps hold the weight of the breasts, so protecting it will reduce the sagging breasts. 
6. Avoid Smoking: Smoking accelerates the ageing process. Tobacco causes the breakdown of collagen and results in tissues losing their firmness. Smoking speeds up ageing by destroying elastin, a protein that helps keep the skin supple. Also, staying away from tobacco will improve overall health, reduce the risk of cancer, and prevent skin breakdown around the breasts. 

A general physician or plastic surgeon can diagnose sagging breasts by using a breast ptosis scale to grade the severity of sagging. They can diagnose it by looking at the nipple position regarding the inframammary crease.

The scale most commonly used to grade breast ptosis is the Regnault Ptosis Scale:

1. Mild Ptosis (Grade 1): in this case, the nipples are at the same level as the inframammary crease.
2. Moderate Ptosis (Grade 2): in this case, the nipple is situated below the inframammary crease, but the lower breast tissue hangs below the nipple.
3. Advanced Ptosis (Grade 3): in this case, the nipple is below the inframammary crease and at the level of maximum breast projection.
4. Severe Ptosis (Grade 4): in this case, the nipple is situated far below the inframammary crease and at the level of maximum breast projection.

How to prepare for the doctor's consultation?

1. Prepare for the doctor consultation in advance: Book an appointment with the doctor beforehand, as this will help the patient have extra time to list the symptoms.
2. Explain the feeling: The patient should explain all the symptoms to the doctor. The patient should provide very small details.
3. Do not forget to ask questions: the patient should always ask questions about the type of treatments and the possible side effects associated with the treatments. The patient must request the doctor to explain the diagnosis if any diagnostic tests have been recommended.

It is beyond anyone's feasibility to restore the exact original shape and size of the breast. However, certain measures can improve the breast lift and the overall strength of the bust. Some of the sagging breast treatments are:

Sagging Breasts Treatment without Surgery

A good bra support and a right posture always helps in avoiding breast sagging. However if you have saggy breasts a healthy diet and some exercises may also help.

Best Exercises for Saggy Breasts

While there are no exercises that can directly target saggy breasts, there are exercises that can strengthen the underlying muscles, which can help improve the appearance of your breasts. But if you have a saggy breast there are few exercises that are recommended to help in skin tightening and avoiding sagginess of breast. Some of the best exercises are: 

1. Chest press:
   1. Lie on your back with your knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
   2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and lift your arms so that they are above your chest.
   3. Slowly lower the weights to either side of your chest and press them back to the starting position.
2. Push-ups: 
   1. Start in a plank position with your hands shoulder-width apart.
   2. Lower your body to the ground, keeping your elbows close to your sides, then push back to the starting position.
3. Chest Fly: 
   1. Lie on your back with your arms extended to your sides.
   2. Hold a dumbbell in each hand and bring your arms together above your chest, then lower them back to the starting position.
4. Dumbbell Pullover: 
   1. Lie on your back with a dumbbell in both hands.
   2. Reach the dumbbell back over your head, then bring it over your chest.

Sagging Breasts Treatment with Surgery

Even if many people may not be interested in surgically improving the appearance of their breasts, a few people find it life-changing to be in their best condition later. Multiple surgical methods can help enhance the physical appearance of the boobs:

1. Breast Lift Surgery: Mastopexy is a common name for Breast lift surgery. This is a very effective surgery to reverse the effects of sagging. In this surgery, the doctor removes the excess skin to bring the sagging breast up. The Surgery supports the breasts by getting them into the desired shape. 
2. Breast Augmentation: The breast augmentation type highly depends on the woman's breast size. It is an effective treatment to reduce breast size and treat sagging. In some severe cases where the nipple size is greater, one might have to opt for this treatment combined with lift surgery.

Cost of Breast Sagging Surgical Treatment

The cost of breast sagging surgery in India can vary depending on several factors, including the type of surgery like the type of surgery, the hospital or clinic where the procedure is performed, and the location. Here is a table highlighting the cost of different types of breast sagging surgery: 

Surgery Name	Surgery Cost
Breast Lift Surgery	₹1,00,000 to ₹2,50,000
Breast Augmentation	₹80,000 to ₹2,10,000

Sagging breasts are very common problem and if the condition is not treated in time if can lead to health issues. Some of the risks and complications associated with the sagging breasts are:

1. Pain and discomfort: Pain and discomfort can develop due to the stretching of the of Cooper's ligaments.
2. Breast diseases
3. Breast cancer

When to see a doctor?

The patient should immediately consult a doctor if the patient is experiencing any of the following signs or symptoms of sagging breasts:

1. Point of the nipple down
2. There is no fullness in the breasts
3. Constant pain and discomfort

As mentioned above, sagging breasts cannot be fully avoided, but the process can be slowed to a certain degree. While no specific fruit or vegetable can guarantee to improve saggy breasts. Diet can provide essential vitamins and minerals that can support skin health and elasticity. Here are some fruits and vegetables that are particularly beneficial:

Recommended Fruits for Saggy Breasts

Fruits are good for overall health. Some fruits also help slow the process of sagging and enhance the look of the breast. A few recommended fruits that may help are: 

1. Berries: Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are rich in antioxidants. It can help protect breast tissue from damage caused by free radicals. They are also high in vitamin C, which promotes collagen production and improves skin elasticity.
2. Citrus Fruits: Oranges, lemons, and grapefruits are all rich in vitamin C, which helps to increase collagen production, improve skin texture, and protect against damage caused by the sun's UV rays.
3. Pomegranates: Pomegranates are a rich source of antioxidants, which can help prevent breast cancer and reduce inflammation. They are also believed to help improve blood flow to the breasts, which can promote breast health.
4. Papaya is also high in vitamin C, promoting collagen (protein) production. Papaya also contains papain, an enzyme believed to help promote skin elasticity and firmness.
5. Avocado: Avocado is a rich source of healthy fats essential for maintaining healthy skin and promoting skin elasticity. It is also high in vitamin E. It can help protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals.

Suggested Vegetables for Saggy Breasts

1. Cruciferous Vegetables: These include broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and kale. They contain phytochemicals that help prevent breast cancer and promote healthy breast tissue.
2. Leafy Greens: Spinach, Swiss chard etc., are rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which can help improve skin elasticity and prevent sagging.
3. Carrots: It is a good source of vitamin A, which can help maintain healthy skin and prevent wrinkles.
4. Sweet Potatoes: They are high in vitamin C and beta-carotene. It can help protect the skin from sun damage and promote collagen production.
5. Bell Peppers: A good source of vitamin C and antioxidants are bell peppers, which can help prevent damage to breast tissue and promote healthy skin.

A sagging breast may happen for many reasons, whether pregnancy, age or lifestyle. This condition happens to almost every woman and is nothing to be ashamed of. 

While not many might take an interest in enhancing the appearance of their breasts surgically, a few find it life-changing to later their best condition. It's important to remember that every person's body is unique, and there is no "normal" or "perfect" breast size or shape. 

We at HexaHealth can provide you with the much-needed support to understand the sagging of your breasts in detail. Our expert surgeons can guide you towards effectively slowing down the breasts' sagging. We offer a seamless surgical experience to help you feel more confident in specific cases.

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4. Exercises to Decrease Breast Size