Bras have started hurting for unknown reason

[Brownbread]

I am 53 years old, a dress size 12-14 and bra size 36 (ish) C. I switched from wearing normal 'do up at the back', underwired bras to bralettes, and found them to be much more comfortable.

However, recently they've started to really dig in around my rib cage even though I haven't put on weight (in fact lost it) and nothing about me has changed. Even when I buy a bigger size they still dig in.

Has anyone had this problem and found a comfortable bra?

body shape changing

or you are putting on weight

You may be wearing the wrong size. I'm a 34 band when I'm your size. Look up Boob or bust on how to measure correctly 🙂

Obvs worth getting measured to check you haven't changed, but yes, I noticed this too - my theory is that we lose collagen and muscle tone with age and our ribs sort of start loosening or sagging...

I only wear bras when absolutely necessary now - I should have a bra hook by the front door to hang it on when I get in, I'm that keen to whip the thing off... 😁

I've found that unwired bras can bunch up and dig badly, whereas wired bras push up the breast tissue and relieve the pressure on the ribcage (but can dig into the breast bone unfortunately).

Mine too! I think the menopause has resulted in some thickening around my back and ribs. Perhaps get measured again?

Ditto! Bras that have been comfortable suddenly hurt, really badly too, but some don’t so not a size thing overall, in fact my 34’s hurt less than my 36’s

Agree, a 36C would mean you have a wide back with a relatively small bust. Not to say that's not you, but it would be an unusual shape, especially for a size 12-14.
People often think the number refers to their bust size when measured with a tape measure (it doesn't!) and then kinda guess the cup. You'll probably find you're a smaller band size (which confusingly doesn't correlate to the number either), and larger cup size.

Try a Snag bra, they’ve been a game changer for me

When were you last measured and by whom?

I'm also a size 14 in a 34 band. 36 sounds big for someone size 12-14

I suspect you are in the classic too big band, too small cup and the band is riding up and hurting.

I have noticed this recently too! I’m 46 now but for the last couple of years they have been so uncomfortable, especially after eating. It was like I had trapped wind but as soon as I removed the damn thing, the pain subsided.

I’ve always worn a 38c, I got measured and was told I actually needed a 38d but when I bought new bra’s I was still uncomfortable and then had some cup that didn’t fill. I went to Primark and bought some 40c bra’s and am much more comfortable xx

Definitely try the Boob or Bust calculator. It’s much more accurate. Many places still measure and size the old fashioned way by adding 4 inches to your measurements. This is no longer needed due to the advances in elasticity etc. Bra’s didn’t used to have elastic!
I was size 10 wearing a 34C and they dug in and rubbed. After measuring with Boob or Bust I came out as a 28E. I was skeptical but tried it and it’s a much better fit! No more rubbing or soreness.
Read through all the information on the website and watch the videos beforehand. It’s a real game changer!

www.booborbust.com/

Pour Moi Love to lounge collection are comfortable. Non wired but are supportive.
Maybe try a larger size too.
https://www.pourmoi.co.uk/search?keywords=Cotton

Same here, menopausal, in my case small busted and don’t carry a lot of extra flesh around my ribs - mine have been really digging in to the point that the minute I get in the door, its taken off and flung across the room!

If you've lost weight you likely need a smaller band size. Loose fitting bras can dig in horribly

M&S body soft non wired.

Weight gain or weight fluctuation. Hormones do crazy stuff.

Or you've got your washer temperature on too high!

Mine dig in now too, I'm a size 12 and wear a 34D, they are not underwired just soft ones from marks, I tried 34DD but didn't fill the cups the 34 leaves very red deep marks at the end of the day maybe I need a 36 D

and for those of you who say try a smaller band 32 and bigger cup, I can't do the 32 band up.

I wear non wired padded tshirt bras from Matalan. I'm also 12/14 and 36d

I could have written this because it’s happening to me lately. I have always been a strong proponent of the r/abrathatfits, now Boob or Bust, calculator method and though I recently lost weight, I remeasured too.

But literally everything is hurting me around the band. The right band size (30) and up to a 34. My old bras from when I was 4 stone heavier. Sports bras. Soft bras. Bralettes. The only thing that feel okay are sports tops (not even actual bras but better than nothing) which are also from when I was bigger. I’m an H cup, so no bra is also painful.

Ive been to the breast clinic due to pain and had an all clear, just told “you have hormonal breast pain, take evening primrose oil”.

It’s really frustrating!

@lindyloo57 - Try wearing the bra with the cups round the back just to get a vibe of how the band is. You shouldn't be able to 'ping' the band more than a couple of fingers underneath. What can happen is the cups are too small (wait for instruction on that in the next paragraph) and then the cups steal from the band making the band feeling too tight, when in fact it is the cups that aren't quite right.

Measure as per this website - https://thebetterbracampaign.blogspot.com/p/fitting-advice.html

and see what you come out as. Bravissimo is the place to go for bras fitted this way.

I’ve just switched to Boody bras. Only tried the t shirt bra so far but found it really comfortable. These are bralette style but
much more comfortable. I’m a similar size to you and bought a large.

Body shape changing
Old bras shape changing - the elastic deacays after a while, exorcising machine washed.

Yes this happened to me. I hadn't lost or gained weight but my boobs were venturing slightly further south, unfortunately. I went to Bravissimo for a fitting and came out with a Fantasie Rebecca and a Triumph Comfort. Both are really comfortable.

The things is, I always put my bras on back to front, so with the cups at back and then twist it round to the front, I honesty can't manage a 32 I have a bony wide ribcage, I sold all my 32 bras on ebay as they were so tight.