10 facts about breasts

We’ve all got them, we all look at them, we all deal with them day-to-day. Whatever you call them or however you feel about them, breasts are a part of life for everyone on the planet. Appearing when puberty hits, breasts are made up of fatty and glandular tissue and can have a huge impact on a woman - whether she loves her breasts, loathes them or is looking to change them. Being informed about your breasts is always a good idea, so we’ve rounded up 10 facts everyone should know about breasts.

1. Breast size is on the rise

According to recent figures the most common bra size in the UK is now a 36D - a sizeable increase on the 34B average seen 10 years ago. Researchers think that this increase could be down to a rise in cosmetic surgery, use of the pill and better nourishment. When it comes to the average size across the world, the most common cup size is a B.

2. Asymmetrical is normal

It’s perfectly normal for women to have one breast bigger than the other, making them slightly asymmetrical. Your breasts can also change size all of the time, fluctuating during certain points in your menstrual cycle. Most women won’t even notice the difference, but in some cases it can be more severe - with breasts differing by at least a cup size. In these severe cases of ‘asymmetric breasts’ some women opt to correct the imbalance with cosmetic surgery.

3. The history of the bra

The first bra-type garment appeared hundreds and hundreds of years ago, yet the word ‘brassiere’ wasn’t included in the Oxford English Dictionary until 1911. The first patent for the bra was granted in 1914 to Mary Phelps Jacobs, who created the brassiere to respond to changing fashion trends at the time. She got the idea after creating a makeshift bra from two handkerchiefs and some ribbon to wear at a Manhattan debutante ball.

4. Added weight

According to research the average breast weighs around 1.1lbs, considerably less than the 5lbs that most women guess. The average bra however is designed to support breasts that weigh up to 20lbs. Aside from this extra weight, studies have found that breasts can contain around 4-5% of your total percentage of body fat.

5. There are four types of nipple

Recent research shows that there are four different types of nipple, defined by how much the nipple protrudes. These are: normal, flat, puffy and inverted - with three different grades of inversion. Nipples can also be unilateral, which is where one may be inverted while the other is not. If you’re unhappy with your nipple type then there is lots that you can do about it, including using pumps like our nipple enlargement systems.

6. Breast-unhappiness is common

According to an American study, around 70% of women are unhappy with their breasts. This isn’t just an issue across the pond however, with 90% of women in the UK also feeling unhappy with their bodies. One report suggests that 21% of women would consider breast enlargement surgery to make them feel better about their assets.

7. Exercise for your breasts

Next time you go for a rigorous workout take a moment to think about your breasts. When you go for a run your breasts can bounce as much as eight inches up and down, according to researchers in England. This is why wearing a supportive sports bra is essential, as some types can reduce bounce by up to 78%!

8. Worlds largest natural breasts

According to Guinness World Records the world’s largest natural breasts belong to Annie Hawkins-Turner from the USA, who has an under breast measurement of 109.22cm (43 in) and an around chest-over-nipple measurement of 177.8cm (70 in). When Ms Hawkins-Turner appeared on This Morning they said that each of her breasts weighs around 25kg, with some reports citing her breast size as size 102ZZZ.

8. What is polythelia?

Polythelia is when people have supernumerary nipples - meaning more than two. The first formal recognition of having extra nipples came in 1878 in a German scientific journal, where it was estimated that around one in 500 humans had the condition. Now, figures show that up to 6% of people have an extra nipple. Famous faces including Lily Allen, Tilda Swinton and Mark Wahlberg are said to have extra nipples.

9. Smoking causes sagging

There are hundreds of articles out there explaining why smoking is bad for your health, but did you know it’s bad for your breasts? Continual smoking can break down the protein elastin in the skin, which is used to give skin stretch and elasticity. When this protein breaks down breasts can become slack and saggy. Smoking also decreases the blood supply to the skin surface, which makes matters worse. Here at VVI Medical we want to help everyone be happy with their bodies. Our range of breast enlargement pumps, nipple pumps and breast enhancer massagers can all be used to help you feel more confident in your own skin. If you have any questions or need some advice then don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.