Introduction
Macromastia, also known as gigantomastia or hypermastia, is a condition that causes fat to develop abnormally in a woman's breasts. Those who live with this condition can feel self-conscious around others, especially if it presents itself as the excess growth of one breast over the other. But instead of hiding from the world and loved ones, one should be proud of themselves and embrace their body. Read on more to know what macromastia is and its symptoms, along with useful tips on managing the condition and getting back to living the best life.
What Is Macromastia?
Macromastia is a condition in which the breast tissue grows abnormally in size. Typically, a woman's breasts consist of 15 % fat and 85 % connective tissue and breast cells. In macromastia, there is an increase in the number of fat cells that are present in the breast tissue, causing the breasts to grow abnormally.
In rare cases, the size of the breasts will increase due to an imbalance in the hormones that trigger breast growth and development during puberty. The condition is also known as gigantomastia or hypermastia. Signs of macromastia include larger than average breasts, with or without pain. About five percent of women have macromastia by the time they reach the age of 50. Major macromastia is a rare condition usually caused by an underlying medical condition, such as an endocrine disorder. This is why it is important to visit the doctor if an individual notices any changes in the appearance of the breasts.
What Are the Symptoms of Macromastia?
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Larger than average breasts.
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Pain or discomfort.
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Nipple discharge- It is normal to have some discharge from the nipples.
How Is Macromastia Diagnosed?
If an individual notices any changes in the appearance of the breasts, it is important to visit the doctor to rule out macromastia and other possible conditions. The doctor will do an exam and discuss the medical history. If macromastia is suspected, the doctor may order blood tests or imaging tests (such as ultrasound or MRI) to rule out other possible conditions.
What Is the Treatment for Macromastia?
If an individual is diagnosed with macromastia, the doctor may recommend breast reduction surgery or use breast reduction pills. It is important to note that taking drugs or having surgery will not lower the hormone levels. These are separate issues.
If a medical condition causes macromastia, the doctor may prescribe medications to treat the underlying cause. If macromastia is caused by weight gain, the doctor may recommend weight loss as a treatment option. During the consultation, the doctor will decide on the best course of treatment based on age, general health, medical history, the severity of the condition, desired results, and pain tolerance.
What Are the Tips for Living With Macromastia?
Wear a Bra - If an individual has macromastia, pain and discomfort occur. Wearing a well-fitting bra can help alleviate this pain.
Get Regular Exercise - Working out has many health benefits, one of which is reducing breast tissue growth.
Eat Healthily - Diet is important when it comes to health and wellness. One can eat certain foods to prevent or slow down the growth of breast tissue.
Stay Positive - While macromastia can be an emotional journey, one should remain positive. This will help to cope better with the changes and move forward towards the best self.
Get a Good Support System - A strong support system is important, especially when living with macromastia. Individuals can join online communities for breast augmentation, where they can share experiences and receive support from others going through the same journey.
Avoid Unnecessary Stress - Stress triggers the release of the hormone cortisol, which can cause excess breast tissue growth. Individuals can reduce stress in life through meditation and yoga.
Get the Right Bra Size - Wearing the right bra size can help reduce the appearance of macromastia.
Get Regular Breast Self-Exams - Women should conduct regular breast self-exams to check for abnormalities in the breast.
Get Regular Mammograms - Getting regular mammograms can help detect breast cancer at an early stage.
Limit Alcohol Intake - Excessive alcohol intake can increase the risk of macromastia.
Get Good Sleep - Good sleep can help to deal with the changes and move toward healthier lives.
Seek Professional Help - Professional therapy can help to deal with the changes and cope better with the emotions that come with it.
How To Identify Macromastia?
Since macromastia is a rare condition, it is important to know the symptoms. If experiencing any symptoms, one should see a doctor to rule out macromastia. This is normal during and after breastfeeding, but if it happens even when someone is not breastfeeding, it could be a sign of other issues, such as an infection or fibrocystic disease. Growth of breast tissue is normal for breasts to grow during puberty, but if the growth persists after this time, it may mean that one might have macromastia. If the growth is accompanied by itching, swelling, redness, and pain, then it is called mastitis (an infection of the breast tissue).
Breast discharge could signify infection, fibrocystic disease, or ductal carcinoma in situ.
Conclusion:
If an individual has been diagnosed with macromastia, do not despair. There are various ways to manage the condition. It is necessary to maintain the balance of hormones in the body to avoid macromastia. It is also necessary to observe cleanliness. One should seek professional help in psychotherapy or hypnotherapy.
