Bra for menopause

[Hueandcry]

My bras have started digging into my shoulders, cup size gone up since hitting menopause - any advice??

Buy bras in your new size

Well that's helpful, thanks

You could get fitted at Bravissimo. They can recommend styles to suit your shape too.

Getting fitted or measuring yourself and buying new bras is actually good advice. If the straps are cutting into your shoulders the bra doesn’t fit properly.

I bought a bigger cup size. I read that you should buy a smaller back size but I can't see how that helps as it would be tighter??

Get a breast lift. No more money wasted on uncomfortable bras.

@Hueandcry

I bought a bigger cup size. I read that you should buy a smaller back size but I can't see how that helps as it would be tighter??

That's only if you need a smaller back size. If your back size has stayed the same then you stay with the old back size but increase the cup.

Have you tried measuring yourself using the boob or bust site?

I think bravissimo do online consultation
www.bravissimo.com/how-to-get-a-bra-fitting/

Do you have a John Lewis or a large M&S near you - it is really worth going and having a proper fitting - some department stores offer them as do some independent lingerie shops

Sadly John Lewis here has closed down We have M&S but haven't heard good things about their fitting service. However I'll give anything a try as just so uncomfortable!

@Hueandcry

What size are / were you?

Was 34DD now I think I'm 34 E/F but think I need to get measured properly as measuring myself makes me 32 but I can't see how that can work if what I'm wearing is too tight

Try putting your measurements in the boob or bust calculator, www.booborbust.com/
Get the tape measure right up in the breast crease and for the tight measurement really pull it so hard.

@Hueandcry

Was 34DD now I think I'm 34 E/F but think I need to get measured properly as measuring myself makes me 32 but I can't see how that can work if what I'm wearing is too tight

If the cup size is too small then the cups steal space from the back band as they sit on your boobs like a hat rather than encasing your whole boob. Does the gore sit flat against your chest if it is an under wired bra? If you swoop and scoop all the breast tissue into the cup does it bulge over the top? Have you put the bra on back to front and see how far the band pulls out?

Just to update went to M&S & got measured. Now a GG cup size!! Shocked that my size has changed so much due to menopause but now have 3 new comfortable bras

Blimey that's a big change!
Did your back band stay the same size?
Had you put on weight in general?

@MrsPnut
Thanks for that website. That’ll be handy.

@Hueandcry
I didn’t realise menopause made breasts increase. Is it the HRT that does that?

Maybe just coincidence but I've definitely noticed a change in them in the past year or so. Just assumed it was meno as not much else changed. Im not on hot so can't be linked to that. Have put on a bit of weight due to not being able to exercise. Band size stayed the same. Tried on lots of bras im m&s but not every one in that size fitted well so it comes down to style as well. Tried a minimiser bra as not happy about having bigger breasts but it was very uncomfortable. If I could afford surgery I would have it but I can't. I have a lot of shoulder pain which may be linked

I'm not menopausal but I suffered from terrible back and shoulder pain for a whole year before I realised it was badly fitting bras that were causing it. The giveaway was that I'd developed grooves in my shoulders from the straps.

I forced myself to do the boob or bust measurement honestly (previously had been slightly rounding the band up and the cup down because the big cup size seemed alarming) and bought a racer back style with a really thick, supportive underband. The pain stopped within days.

The correct sized underband felt odd and tight for about a day and then it felt normal.

Since the menopause my skin has been very sensitive and itchy and buying attractive bras have been a big problem. The bras I bought from JulieMay are so lovely to wear and no rash after but looks feminine too.

Their bras all in wide cushioned shoulder straps so I didn’t find them digging. I’m a 34B but they have larger cup sizes, to G cup I think. Hope that helps :)