The breasts are an important organ of the body which plays a crucial role in certain body processes beyond their aesthetic appeal. Apart from their role in breastfeeding, they also have an impact on the female hormones. Unfortunately the media focus on larger, firmer breasts have placed undue pressure on many women, either with small breasts or sagging breasts.

Herbal Breast Enhancement

Herbal breast enhancement products promise breast enlargement and firming with no side effects. Firstly, the idea that a herbal product is always a safe product is unfounded. Herbal products are derived from plant source but are still pharmacologically active substances. This means that they have a chemical effect on the body. Secondly, most herbal products do not adhere to the same strict regulations governing the pharmaceutical industry. This means that there is no product testing, clinical trials or legislation binding the manufacturer and distributor to market their product only based on results derived from research studies.

Ultimately you use these products at your own risk and you cannot hold the manufacturer or distributor liable for any complications that may arise from the use of the product.

Breast Enlargement Creams and Pills

Most herbal breast enlargement products are available as creams or pills (tablets and capsules). These products aim at increasing breast size by one of the following methods :

• Increasing blood flow to the area.
• Delivering hormone-like compounds (derivatives of estrogen) to the breast.
• Causing swelling to the breast by applying irritants and with the aid of massage.

If moderate breast enlargement is noted, it will often be short term. Once the product is stopped, the breast will usually return to their original size.

Possible Complications of Herbal Breast Enhancement Products

Herbal breast enlargement products can cause the following effects :

• Itching and skin rashes on the breast.
• Changes of the menstrual cycle.
• Changes in breast milk production in women who are lactating.
• Nipple discharge.
• Breast pain, swelling and tenderness.

Natural Breast Growth

Young women and teenage girls are more likely to buy herbal breast enhancement products as a means of increasing their bust size without having to undergo breast augmentation.  Always consult with your doctor before considering any breast enlargement product as it can affect your reproductive health or even increase the risk of breast cancer. It is important to bear in mind that in the teens and early adulthood, the breast size can still increase with age.

In adult women, breast augmentation could be an option for increasing the bust size but this should be only be done after careful consideration as breast surgery also has a host of complications. Rather wait for natural breast growth over time and do not use untested products for increasing your bust size. Women with a history of breast cancer should not use herbal breast enlargement products as there is a possibility of recurrence of a tumor.

Breast size and shape is a common concern for breastfeeding mothers since there are many fallacies surrounding drooping breasts linked to breastfeeding myths. Unfortunately, many new mothers today opt not to breastfeed out of fear that weaning their child will ultimately lead to drooping breasts, and that firming after breastfeeding cannot be corrected without surgery. This reduction in breastfeeding globally has significantly contributed to infant mortality. The World Health Organization estimates that globally, some 1.4 million children would not die in the first year of life if their mothers chose to breastfeed.

Cause of Breast Drooping and Firming

In breastfeeding women, the breast is primarily composed of ‘milk glands’ that empty into lactiferous ducts, which secrete milk through the nipple. Connective tissue, adipose (fat tissue) and ligaments known as Cooper’s ligaments play an important part in the size, shape and firmness of the breast.

Fat plays an important part in providing an energy supply for milk production and contrary to popular belief, it is not the sole reason for larger breasts in breastfeeding women. The enlargement of the milk glands and lactiferous ducts is what contributes to the larger breast size, which is also the reason why the breasts slightly decrease in size once the milk content empties. However there is an increased fat concentration within the breasts of lactating women.

The connective tissue, composed of elastin and collagen, coupled with the Cooper’s ligaments maintain the firmness of the breast. However, the action of gravity and stretching by enlarged breasts in lactating women, will stretch the ligaments and connective tissue and hamper firmness. This ‘hanging’ breast image associated with long term breastfeeding is known as Cooper’s droop, named after the Cooper’s ligaments.

Breast Support for Breastfeeding

Nursing bras should be selected carefully as they have multiple functions for both breast health and convenience for the mother. A good nursing bra will :

1. Allow for the convenience of  easy exposure of the nipple for baby to drink.
2. Ensure comfort of the breast by allowing for varying size and weight of the breast.
3. Provides support to maintain breast firmness and prevent or limit drooping.

Milk contained within the breast of lactating women stretches the connective tissue of the breast. The action of gravity on the engorged and heavy breast will add further strain on the Cooper’s ligaments. Over time, both the connective tissue and Cooper’s ligaments cannot continue to maintain breast firmness due to prolonged stretching. This leaves the breast  flabby and drooping, with layers of loose skin.

Breast Size, Shape and Firmness after Breastfeeding

To a certain degree, the breasts will restore its shape and size after breastfeeding. However in women over 35 years, this is less likely to occur due to age-related changes coupled with the effects of breastfeeding. Within days of discontinuing breastfeeding, the size will significantly diminish. After a few weeks, and with a good support bra, some of the drooping will reduce. Two to three months after breastfeeding, any extra or sagging skin will noticeably diminish to the point that there is some firmness of the breast. A complete resolution of drooping breasts is not possible, just as the areola and nipple size will never return to the state that it was prior to the first pregnancy.

Surgery may also be considered to help correct the drooping and size of the breast after discontinuing breastfeeding. This breast augmentation surgery will drastically reform the breast but should not be considered for the first 6 months after discontinuing breastfeeding as natural processes may correct much of the drooping.