The Pill and Your Breasts

Three surprising side effects of oral contraceptives.

Birth-control pills might make your boobs a little bigger.

Because the hormones in the Pill cause fluid retention, it is likely your breasts will feel somewhat fuller.

Some types may heal breast blemishes.

Just as certain kinds of Pills contain hormones that clear up and prevent facial acne, these types also can have a zit-busting effect on your set.

They may affect your breast-cancer odds.

Research suggests that Pill takes may have a slightly greater risk of breast cancer than do women who have never been on oral contraceptives. Talk to your gyno about the risks.

Source: Jennifer Wider, MD, Cosmo Radio Medical Expert

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, September 2009

The Sun and Your Set

Surprising news about UV rays and your delicate breast skin, plus how to stay safe.

Swimsuit fabric has an SPF of only about 5,

so your bikini top barely repels UV rays. Put sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher under your top to stay safe, reapplying ever two hours.

"Waterproof" sunscreen really isn't.

If you work up a sweat or go for a swim, sunscreen's effectiveness can become compromised and you must put on another coating or your skin will burn.

UV rays can get through water.

Actually, rays reach 2 feet into water and can fry your skin while you swim, hence the need to put on sunscreen before you dive into the pool or ocean.

Source: Ellen Marmur, MD, author of Simple Skin Beauty: Every Woman's Guide to a Lifetime of Healthy, Gorgeous Skin

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, August 2009

When Your Breasts Hurt

We break down the types of pain and their causes.

Your breasts feel tender before your period.

It's the result of normal hormone changes that happen a week or two before your flow. Relieve it by cutting back on caffeine or taking an anti-inflammatory painkiller.

You have sharp pain in one breast only.

It may be a sign of a breast infection, which can happen if you've bumped it accidentally. See your gyno, who can give you antibiotics.

One or both breasts ache after sex.

The likely scenario: Your guy was rough with your rack without you realizing it in the moment.

Source: Jennifer Ashton, Ob-Gyn in Englewood, New Jersey, and CBS News Medical Correspondent

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, July 2009

When Your Breasts Act Strange

We help you decode some bizarre symptoms.

Your breasts itch.

If both breasts have an allover itch, the culprit may be dry winter air, which dehydrates skin. Apply a moisturizer twice a day and after every shower.

If the itchy area is located under your breasts or in your cleavage and/or is red and scaly, it's likely a skin yeast infection triggered by sweat buildup. An antifungal cream or powder will usually clear it up fast.

Your nipples get hard for no obvious reason.

Nipple erections sometimes seem to happen spontaneously, but they're typically brought on by a subtle change in room temperature or your own anxiety or arousal levels. It's not a sign of anything serious, but if it happens frequently, wear a lightly padded bra to mask them.

A few dark hairs appear.

Hair near your areolae or between your breasts is normal, particularly for darker-hued women. Tweeze it, then prevent infection by dabbing on antibacterial cream.

Source: Marisa Weiss, MD, president and founder of breastcancer.org and coauthor of Taking Care of Your "Girls"

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, April 2009

Breast-Cancer Prevention

A heart-pounding way to ward off the disease

A new study found that women who exercised regularly before turning 35 had a 23% decreased risk of developing breast cancer before menopause than did sedentary young women.

One theory: Working out seems to reduce the amount of estrogen in your body, and research indicates that the more estrogen a woman has, the greater her breast-cancer odds.

It's never too late to start indulging in moderate 30-minute cardio sessions at least 3 times a week. Try biking around your neighborhood; taking a long, brisk walk; or popping in a workout DVD to do in front of the TV.

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, October 2008

When You Feel a Lump

Don't panic—most turn out to be benign. Here, three types common in young women.

A hard, movable lump in one breast.

If it feels firm and smooth all over, like a marble, and isn't fixed in one place, it's probably a fluid-filled cyst. Have your doctor take a look to be sure. Cysts are harmless but can be drained.

A pimplelike swelling on your areola.

Sounds like a buildup of mucus in one of the many tiny glands that dot the areolae. These glands lubricate your nipples during breast-feeding. Let your gyno diagnose it; you can then leave it alone or apply a warm compress to loosen the buildup. An antibiotic may be needed if there are any signs of infection.

Little lumps that appear in both breasts preperiod.

If this happens just before your flow then smooths out once it's over, it's likely due to hormone changes and nothing to worry about. If a lump or area of thickening persists or gets larger over time, talk to your gyno.

Source: Marisa Weiss, MD, president and founder of breastcancer.org and coauthor of Taking Care of Your "Girls"

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, October 2009

Itchy Chest?

"Sometimes my chest gets incredibly itchy, and I have to scratch—even in public."

First, slather your set with body lotion after you shower. This will keep your skin moisturized, which reduces dryness-induced itching. Next, look for moisture-wicking fabric and breathable microfibers, which are less irritating.

Itching plus redness can be a sign of a skin allergy. If you notice this, ease the discomfort with a cortisone cream, and then switch detergent and soap brands to see if that makes a difference. Should you detect a patch of red, scaly skin, you may have a skin yeast infection. Apply an OTC antifungal cream to kill the yeast.

But if a scaly sore appears on your nipple and doesn't heal, visit your MD. It can indicate a very rare form of breast cancer.

- from "Bizarre Boob Behavior," Cosmopolitan Magazine, May 2008

Rash from a Fungal or Yeast Infection

Rash Treatment Options

I've had this happen. It's itchy and red, and normal lotions won't fix it. The problem is that sweat can collect between or underneath the breasts; moisture-rich environments are breeding grounds for fungal and yeast infections. I used an over-the-counter cream, Lotrimin Ultra, to clear mine up.

Whatever treatment you choose, make sure to follow the instructions. It'll tell you to use the cream for a specific number of weeks. Even if your symptoms clear up, continue to use the ointment for the instructed treatment time. If you don't, the rash could come back. Also, make sure to rub the cream over the entire rash and on the surrounding skin. You want to treat the entire general region, not just the itchy red spot.

The ointment should help soothe your skin and make it less itchy; if it irritates your skin, stop treatment immediately and see your doctor. If your rash returns or doesn't clear up after treatment, see your doctor. Take anything you used on the rash with you to show your doctor.

Rash Prevention

To help prevent getting a rash in the first place, keep your skin dry. I sometimes use cornstarch powder. However, don't use powder if you have a rash or are currently treating a rash: it could make it worse.

Reducing the amount of oil on your skin may also help to prevent rashes. Try using a glycolic acid cleanser or lotion to dissolve excessive torso oils.

Learn more about fungal infections of the skin at WebMD

Read about more treatment options for tinea versicolor at DERMAdoctor

Breast Cancer News

We get to the bottom of three very alarming recent headlines.

"Lights at night are linked to breast cancer."

It's not yet clear yet whether it's living in a well-lit area that's a risk factor or if some other component of urban or suburban life may be to blame.

"Depression may influence breast cancer."

Researchers looked at five studies and concluded that women with depression had a 2.5-fold increased risk of developing breast cancer. But some of the risk factors for breast cancer overlap with risk factors for depression, such as obesity, so depression itself may not be the cause.

"Early smoking boosts breast cancer risk."

Study authors theorize that a young woman's breast tissue is still developing and, therefore, more vulnerable to the carcinogenic effects of tobacco. Though more research needs to be done, the advice is clear: Don't smoke... or quit!

Source: Breast Cancer Oncologist Marisa Weiss, coauthor of Taking Care of Your "Girls"

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, May 2008

Bra Bummers

An ill-fitting bra can cause bodily harm. Here, signs you need better support.

Your back and shoulders ache.

The band size is probably too large for your body, causing you to tighten the shoulder straps to make up for the lack of support. To get the correct band size, measure your torso by putting a tape measure right under your breasts. When trying on bras, you'll know the band fits if it stays level just under your armpits and across your back.

Your boobs feel really tender whenever you move.

The cups may be too big or the elastic in the cup fabric may be worn out, leaving your girls free to bounce around. Also, the band size could be too large, allowing it to ride up your back and the cups to angle down loosely, like a seesaw.

You notice redness under your breasts.

Your bra may not have enough padding around the underwire or the cup size could be too large, causing it to fail to lift your breasts off your chest and resulting in chafing.

Source: Bra Expert Susan Nethero, founder of Intimacy Bra Shops

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, July 2008

Why Breasts Change

Do your boobs look or feel different than usual? One of these could be the culprit.

You've gained or lost weight.

For some women, excess pounds tend to go to the boobs and butt first; when you drop pounds, the weight may disappear from these areas first as well.

They can grow into adulthood.

Though most women hit their adult height during puberty, it's not uncommon for your girls to continue changing shape until your late teens or early 20s.

You went on or off the pill.

The hormones in birth-control pills can make you retain fluid, making boobs puff up. The amount of swelling depends on the hormone combo in your prescription, and it doesn't happen to all women. When you quit the Pill, your breasts return to normal.

You're pregnant.

Pregnancy hormones can make your boobs feel sore and tingly, and your breasts and areolae may swell and darken. These changes are often the first signs of conception.

Source: Women's Health Specialist Jennifer Wider, MD, Cosmo Radio Sex-Health Expert

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, June 2008

Worrisome Breast Signs

Don't let these distressing symptoms panic you.

You feel a lump.

Your first thought might be breast cancer, but that is rare in women under 35. More likely, the lump is a fluid-filled cyst or a fibroadenoma, two common benign growths. Check in with your gyno if the lump doesn't go away after one menstrual cycle.

A sharp pain strikes.

An out-of-the-blue stabbing sensation is probably the result of a fluid-filled cyst that has ruptured. Unless it continues to cause discomfort, you can ignore it.

A spot or rash develops.

It's probably caused by chafing from your bra, dry skin, or a skin yeast infection from sweat buildup. But if it is a single spot that doesn't heal, has an irregular border, is larger than a pencil eraser, or is two-toned, your derm should look at it.

You notice nipple discharge.

It's normal for whitish, yellow, or even green fluid to emerge if you squeeze your nipple. Should the fluid come out spontaneously or if it's bloody, see your gyno; a benign tumor may be the cause.

Source: Katherine Alley, MD, Medical Director of Suburban Breast Center in Bethesda, Maryland

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, April 2008

Ways Your Breasts Age

As you move through your 20s and 30s, your twins experience some changes.

In your 20s

Your breasts are at their genetically predetermined size, and your breast tissue is at its firmest. This decade is when you're most likely to develop a benign breast lump, such as a cyst or fibroadenoma—a painless, firm mass.

In your early 30s

The collagen that helps keep breasts firm begins to lose elasticity, so most women notice some sagging. If you smoke, the sagging may be more apparent, because chemicals in tobacco break down collagen. A more serious worry: breast cancer. At 30, your risk of the disease is 1 in 257. Monthly breast self-exams and a yearly clinical breast exam by your gyno should be routine.

In your late 30s

Gravity, and any pregnancies, will have made your breasts less dense. Pregnancy can also leave your nipples darker. As for breast cancer, some gynos suggest that a 35+ woman get a baseline mammogram, but all women should get them yearly after 40.

Source: Jennifer Wider, MD, Cosmo Radio Sex-Health Expert

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, February 2008

Must-Know Breast Info

Answers to the most common questions women ask gynos

What can I do to make my boobs bigger?

Gaining weight will do the trick, and certain exercises may build the muscle in your chest so your set might appear larger. But once your boobs reach their predestined size, nothing will increase their dimensions.

Breast cancer runs in my family. Is my risk higher?

Maybe. Women with a first-degree relative—i.e., a mother or sister—who has been diagnosed with the disease have about a 50% increased risk. Women who have second-degree relatives, such as a grandmother, with breast cancer may also have higher odds. If you fall into either of these categories, tell your gyno. She may suggest that you be tested for genetic abnormalities.

Is it normal for my breasts to be asymmetrical?

Yep, most women have one breast that's larger than the other. The difference is usually slight but may be up to a cup size.

Sources: Suzanne Trupin, OB-GYN in Champaign, Illinois; American Cancer Society

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, January 2008

Eating Habits and Breast Health

Food you consume can affect your set in surprising ways.

Yo-yo dieting leaves them less firm.

Falling into a cycle of losing weight, gaining it back, and losing it again stretches the connective tissue in your pair, making them looser. (As little as 10 pounds can be enough for sag to set in).

Caffeine makes them ache.

Experts aren't exactly sure why, but caffeine-rich foods and beverages contribute to PMS-induced breast tenderness. Cutting back on chocolate, coffee, cola, and tea during your preperiod week will help ease the discomfort.

Two drinks a day raise your odds for breast cancer.

Two beers, glasses of wine, or shots daily make you one-and-a-half times more likely to develop the disease.

Fat intake is also a cancer factor.

Premenopausal women who consume animal fat, mainly from red meat and dairy products, have an increased risk of breast cancer.

Source: Los Angeles OB-GYN Eldridge Pearsall

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, March 2008

Sex and Your Breasts

Three bedroom-related rack-health issues

My nipples aren’t very responsive. Is this normal?

Yes. Though a woman’s nipples are packed with nerve endings, not all chicks get aroused by having them played with.

My breasts hurt after I mess around with my guy. Why does this happen?

Breast tenderness after a bedroom session probably means your man was a bit too rough. Because breasts are sensitive, it may not take much to leave them tender or bruised. If the pain doesn’t go away in ten days, check in with your gyno to see if something else is to blame.

What does my man mean when he says my breasts feel lumpy?

Some women have lumpier breasts than others do, so it could just be the way your boobs are. But if he’s touching them the week before your period, the lumpiness is most likely a side effect of PMS, when hormone changes swell breasts.

Source: Katherine Lee, MD, Breast Specialist at the Cleveland Clinic Breast Center

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, October 2007