We are all asymmetrical; in our hands, legs, and even our face.
These differences, which are intrinsic to human anatomy, also affect the female breast.
Keep reading if you want to learn about the causes of breast asymmetry and the different options to correct it.
What are asymmetric breasts?
90% of women have some degree of breast asymmetry, whether in shape or volume. This difference between the breasts is natural and, in most cases, does not require surgical treatment.
However, sometimes this asymmetry is more severe, leading to an aesthetic or functional problem that drives these women to consult a surgeon.
Why is one breast larger than the other?
Genetic causes
In many cases, breast asymmetry is simply due to uneven breast development during puberty.
Hereditary factors can also influence how the breast develops, and therefore, the degree of asymmetry.
Breastfeeding
It is possible that the breastfeeding period can cause a volume difference between the breasts. This can happen for several reasons:
- One breast develops more glandular tissue because it produces more milk than the other breast.
- The mother may breastfeed more from one breast than the other, either due to postural comfort or because the baby sucks better from one side.
When breastfeeding stops, the breast that produced more milk may sag slightly more or remain slightly larger.
Tuberous Breasts
Another case of asymmetric breast development is the case of tuberous breasts. Frequently, in two-thirds of cases, tuberous breasts are asymmetric because one side may have more tuberosity than the other.
In these cases, it is necessary to correct not only the volume difference but also the shape of the breast.
Types of Breast Asymmetry
Breast asymmetry can affect the breasts in different aspects:
Volume
The difference in volume between both breasts is the most common form of breast asymmetry. Not only that, but it is also the most noticeable, as it is often perceptible even through clothing. This volume difference can be based either on the glandular content of the breast or on its fatty component.
Shape
Asymmetry can also affect the shape of the breast or its position on the chest. This is directly related to differences in volume, as a breast with more weight is likely to appear more saggy and positioned lower on the torso.
Areola and Nipple
Lastly, there may be differences in the areola-nipple complex of the breasts, either:
- In the size of the areola and/or nipple
- In the position of the areola-nipple complex on the breast, which can be higher or lower, or even more lateralized.
Solutions for Asymmetric Breasts
When a patient with breast asymmetry visits the clinic, it is important to assess whether one of the breasts has a shape and volume that is in harmony with the rest of the silhouette and if the patient considers this breast to be her reference. If this is the case, we only need to work on the other breast, either by increasing or reducing the volume.
It is always important to keep in mind and clearly communicate to the patient that it is not possible to make both breasts perfectly identical. As mentioned at the beginning of this post, we are all asymmetrical, so absolute symmetry is not possible, nor is it natural.
Breast Augmentation with Implants
If the breast to be treated is the smaller one, and we are aiming to increase its volume, the most commonly used technique is breast augmentation with implants. By using a carefully selected breast implant, we can give the treated breast a volume and shape that closely resemble the reference breast.
Breast Augmentation with Fat
There is also the option to increase breast volume using the patient’s own fat. To do this, two requirements must be met:
- The volume to be increased should not be excessive (a maximum of one cup size).
- The patient must have enough excess fat (it can be from areas like the abdomen or hips) to carry out the procedure.
The great advantage of this technique, besides avoiding the possible complications of using implants, is that the result will be very natural, not only visually but also to the touch, as no implants are used.
Breast Reduction
If the goal of the surgery is to reduce the size of the larger breast, the technique to apply would be a breast reduction. If a large volume needs to be reduced, we would use the inverted-T technique, while in less severe cases, the procedure can be performed with a vertical scar or around the areola. If necessary, this reduction can be combined with a mastopexy (breast lift).
