Questions about bra size change, related to weight loss or gain, perimenopause and other stuff

[Skirtingboards]

Firstly, I have name changed as it's good practice.

Secondly, I can't have a breast reduction for various medical reasons. So if you were thinking of writing something like "I had a breast reduction and it changed my life, best thing I ever did" etc, go and write it somewhere else. It's not welcome on this thread.

Thirdly, this is a stream of consciousness thing so feel free to add anything relevant as long as it's not about surgery.

I'm absolutely at my wits' end as I have just gone up a cup size again, from 30HH to 30J. I was a 30F/FF throughout my 20s, went up to 30G when I was about 32, never had a problem. In my mid-30s I suddenly went up to 30GG then 30H within six months, stayed for a while, then went up to 30HH and 30J in a similar way. Went to my GP who did some blood tests which showed nothing, saw a breast specialist, nothing. My GP told me to try losing weight so I lost half a stone and went back down to 30HH, stayed for a year or so, but it's so hard to keep the weight off. And as I'm approaching 40, I'm wondering if this new size increase is to do with perimenopause and I'm going to end up going at JJ or K. Or if I could possibly get back down to 30HH with a bit of weight loss. I know a lot of people say that they lose weight but their breasts stay the same. How common is it to actually lose a cup size rather than just back size?

I thought maybe my sudden mid-30s increase was due to perimenopause but maybe there's more to come? I can't cope with this any more. The pain is real. Even with the most expensive Rigby & Peller bra it still takes its toll.

Also I popped into a department store and although they didn't have any bras in my size, the woman I spoke to was very nice and understanding. She asked me at what age my mum reached menopause, and I said I didn't know but I'll have to ask her, but I don't think it was particularly early. She (the bra fitter, not my mum) said that when she was about 43, she went up from DD to GG. I checked I'd understood correctly and she said yes, she went up five cup sizes within a year. How common is this?

Is it an upward-only journey? Do they ever spontaneously get smaller again for no reason?

I can't take any more.

I'm mid 40s, mine have recently gone form a 32HH/J to a 28G/GG- this was with a nearly 3 stone weight loss though. So they can get smaller but I doubt spontaneously. I am also going through menopause - on the early side. It is great not having the weight of them but they are a bit like half empty sacks!!
Shop for bras at bravissimo or figleaves or brastop for good fitting bras for larger breasts.

So yours did actually get smaller with weight loss? That's good to hear.

I know where to get bras but I went to the department store to look at an unrelated department, so I thought I'd have a quick look at bras as I happened to be passing by.

It's not worth seeing my GP again, is it? I doubt if there's anything more she can do apart from telling me to lose weight again.

I can't take any more.

Do you mind me asking what the pain you experience is? I've been getting back pain, an ache in the middle of my back in the early evening and I was wondering if its down to my enormonorks...

To answer your question though, I've only ever really lost band size through weight loss. My cup size goes down with it, but proportionately so my boobs themselves are pretty much the same size.

Partly neck pain, partly lower back. I was okay at HH but it's really being a J that totally wreaks havoc with everything. And I've spent a small fortune on new bras and clothes this year and they're already on the verge of being too small again.

I've only ever really lost band size through weight loss. My cup size goes down with it, but proportionately so my boobs themselves are pretty much the same size.

Do you mean that you've gone down from, say, a 34H to a 32H? In that case they have got smaller. What do you mean by proportionately?

Also my breasts themselves hurt.

I'm absolutely desperate. I can't cope with this any more.

I just went to my GP and she said she can't do anything. She's sending me for a blood test to check for thyroid stuff but we all know it won't show anything. She's just doing it so she's done something rather than nothing. Also told me to keep my weight down. I try so hard but it's so difficult. I want to have them reduced but isn't possible. 😭

I'm guessing that as you're only a 30' back (so presumably quite far from overweight) losing enough weight to make a difference might not actually be very good for you?

Were your breasts/back always painful or has this only happened since you've gone up cup sizes?

Oh sorry you've answered the last question already

I think going from HH to J is what does it. The same pain happened last time and stopped once I managed to get back down to HH.

I actually have a BMI of 31 but I have a small bone structure, and I wear size 14-16 on my bottom half so I definitely would like to lose some weight, but it's very hard.

Oh ok I think I have quite a big bone structure then 😂

How tall are you, OP?
Do you weigh the same now as you did when your bra size was 30F?

No, I weigh a couple of stone more than when I was 20. Natural weight gain as we get older.

I don't. Weigh 2 stone more than I did at 20, I mean. I might weight almost 1 stone less, actually. Redistribution of our body fat as we age is "natural", but gaining lots doesn't have to be natural. I'm only 51 though, so will check in about the weight change when I'm 61 & properly post-menop.

Breasts are fat storage. If you gain weight, that's where your body wants to put it.

Liposuction on breasts can be done under a local anesthetic. I mention that in case general anaesthetic is your barrier to surgical reduction.

Hi Op, I'm also very big chested and I definitely notice they grow with weight gain/ shrink with weight loss. I have been an E cup at a size 6 (after illness so the smallest I've been). My current size is 28FF and that's at a size 8. I was bigger in my late teens (size 12) and was an H cup then, possibly bigger as I never wore the correct bra size.

So I would definitely try your hardest to lose weight (I know it's so much easier said than done). If you have a small frame and are a size 14-16 you could probably lose quite a bit and knock a good few sizes off? My back certainly doesn't give me as much bother now. I also did the measurement thing and wear my bras on the tightest band after reading that all the support should come from the band and there shouldn't really be any weight on the straps at all. This does mean I have to replace them quite frequently because the bands lose their shape, but what a difference it makes to back and neck pain!! I now only buy 2 bras and rotate them for say 4-6 months before I replace them. I really recommend the Cleo Marcie Bra which is £29 and gives a really nice round shape and definitely makes my boobs look smaller than what I was wearing before. I looked very matronly in old photos I could weep. I also got terrible posture as I was so ashamed of people thinking I was pushing my boobs out further so I'd hunch up- again this does the back no favours at all!

Are you wearing padded bras? I always felt I needed these for the extra support but since switching I'd never go back.

Thank you everyone. I will try to lose some weight.

Also I'd completely forgotten about the liposuction option. I might have a look at that.

I find the bras dig in my back. I am in the correct back size.

Sympathy OP, my bust size has increased in 10 years from 30c/d to F or even FF cup. Definitely to do with menopause I think.

One of the reasons I'm nervous is because you read so many stories here along the lines of I've lost loads of weight but my breasts won't shift, so I've always taken that as fact. It's very encouraging to read several comments here from people saying they did actually reduce their breast size when they lost weight. I'm going to have to give it a try now.

Do you work out? I found sin e l took up circuit training with lots of exercises for arms/ upper body l have lost weight in the right places. I'm late 50s.

I need to get back into exercise, but I don't think any of my sports bras fit atm so I'd have to buy a new one.

I recently dropped from 30e to 30c or d (brand dependent) by losing a stone. For context, that was 8.5 to 7.5 so not a large amount of weight but proportionately reasonably significant. It all went from the front - Boobs and belly (sadly arse is still sizeable)

I have lost weight off my boobs in the past (have put it back on now, but hey ho). I lost about 20lbs and my boobs went from 30HH to 30GG, so two cup sizes. I went from approx BMI 28 to about 25 (just at the very top of healthy). It is really possible to lose cup sizes through weight loss! You’ll probably retain much the same shape (ie busty for your frame) but everything will be smaller and bras won’t be so difficult to find. Plus the less weight there is the better to reduce back pain.

Re the back pain - try to build up your core strength as this will help sort the pain too. And as a pp said, things like press ups help reduce boob size too!

Everyone I know who has lost weight, has lost it from their boobs, so I’m sure it will work with you. You’re obviously desperate, so that should be great motivation for sticking to a diet. Try to just cut down on portion size, and sugary food to start with.

Also, have you tried Pilates? It really strengthens your core, which are all the muscles around your middle. That will mean your back muscles are stronger and willl support the weight of your breasts better.