Sex, Arousal, and Your Breasts

Being turned on affects you above the waist too.

Your breasts feel bigger.

Sexual arousal increases blood flow throughout your body. One side effect: Your girls feel like they're swelling up.

There's not a noticeable change in size, but many women say they have a sensation of fullness. And it may be more pronounced toward the end of your cycle, when estrogen and progesterone levels fluctuate, possibly causing an even plumper feel.

Your nipples become ultrasensitive.

Your nipples and the surrounding areolae are loaded with nerve endings. When your libido is raging, their sensitivity is heightened, making them super-receptive to even the lightest, gentlest stimulation.

The skin on your set reddens.

That increased blood flow also causes blood vessels to dilate. This actually can be seen through the thin skin on and around your breasts as a red flushing.

Source: Jennifer Ashton, Ob-Gyn in Englewood, New Jersey

- from Cosmopolitan Magazine, May 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

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

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