What is Breast Asymmetry?
Women with breast asymmetry have breasts that are different in shape, position or size. In fact, the great majority of women have mild breast asymmetry. However, when the asymmetry is significant, it may adversely affect the woman’s body image, her self-esteem and confidence.
Breast asymmetry can be classified into three types:
- Anisomastia: a significant difference in the volume and size of the breasts.
- Anisothelia: a difference between the nipples and areolas.
- Combined asymmetry: anisomastia and anisothelia.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of breast asymmetry are essentially aesthetic, manifesting as a difference in, for example, shape, size, developmental stage or fat percentage. In the most serious cases, there may even be a difference in osteomuscular structure or the breasts are completely different.
Causes of Breast Asymmetry
Uneven breasts are caused by several different factors. For example, developmental (“they just developed that way”). This often becomes obvious only after puberty or following hormonal changes as a result of ovulation and pregnancy.
Having a noticeable difference in the appearance, size or shape of one breast compared to another can also occur as a result of underdevelopment or overdevelopment of the breast due to a condition called juvenile hypertrophy.
Other causes can include:
- Using contraceptives
- Breastfeeding
- Trauma to the breast
- Poland syndrome
- Breast cancer
Can it be prevented?
Breast asymmetry appears while the breasts are developing during puberty. It cannot be prevented, except if it occurs as a secondary effect of a growth disorder that is diagnosed early. There are no measures you can take to prevent breast asymmetry.
What is the treatment?
The only solution to breast asymmetry is plastic, aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. The surgical techniques used depend on the surgeon and on the patient’s characteristics. However in many cases, breast augmentation, breast reduction or a combination of both will be done.
Breast Aesthetic Surgery
