Evidence of harm caused by breast binding

[ElizabethJaneHenchard]

Does anyone have any links to some good evidence?

I know it seems very obvious how harmful and Victorian it is, but unfortunately I need to 'prove' this to someone close to me.
Thanks

As long as the binder fits properly I don't believe there is any evidence of it being physically harmful.

People just wish there was...

You're wrong on this I'm afraid.

Evidence here Binding - Stats For Gender

This is also a useful link IMO: Breast ironing (flattening) | Metropolitan Police

Further info here Breast Binding – Self Harm or Gender Care? – Bayswater Support

I agree that all of those are issues for a binder that is not well fitting or done DIY style.

Like everything - it is more harmful if you make someone do it without help or support.

Can you link to the evidence (Cass type level evidence that is) that proves that please?

Girls throughout history have been told that parts of their bodies require mangling in order to satisfy other people's views of them. Breasts are not meant to be compressed and breast binding or ironing are harmful - just as foot binding was:

https://www.britannica.com/science/footbinding

"Footbinding was viewed as a rite of passage for young girls and was believed to be preparation for puberty, menstruation and childbirth. It symbolized a girl’s willingness to obey, just as it limited the mobility and power of females, kept women subordinate to men, and increased the differences between the sexes".

According to this study commercial binders were as bad as or worse than DIY methods, and nearly all those surveyed had at least one negative outcome.

https://cabinradio.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Health-impact-of-chest-binding-among-transgender-adults-a-community-engaged-cross-sectional-study.pdf

Over 97% reported at least one of 28 negative outcomes attributed to binding.

Compression methods associated with symptoms were commercial binders (20/28), elastic bandages (14/28) and duct tape or plastic wrap (13/28).

https://medschool.cuanschutz.edu/docs/librariesprovider323/default-document-library/health-impact-of-chest-binding-among-transgender-adults-a-community-engaged-cross-sectional-study.pdf?sfvrsn=ca1afaba_2

Ultimately, the conclusion here was that the mental health should also be a factor and working with a doctor to do it as safely as possible was recommended.

I don't think anyone should do this because they are told to, but are you better for telling them not to?

Yes, abnormal lung function is what we all strive for.

That is an online study of adults who self-selected to take part with no control group.

What sort of help or support to artificially flatten breasts do you think should be given?

Should this support be given to children or just adults?

Who should give this support?

What is the desired result?

What criteria should be in place to decide who gets this support?

That study showed 97% of females using breast binder had adverse effects - hardly a positive outcome. Any doctor should be advising against their use.

What is a “well fitting” binder? How and where does the user get correctly “fitted” for one?

What an absolute sack of shit - sorry I'd be more polite if you weren't TELLING WOMEN TO DISFIGURE THEMSELVES FFS

flipent · Today 14:31

People just wish there was...

No, absolutely nobody here wishes that in any way. It's just that regulars here have seen plenty of evidence, as seen here, to show that it's very near 100% harmful.

I can't work out if you're naïve, or pushing it because of ideology.

@Flipent "are you better for telling them not to?"

Given that the study - of a self-selected group who choose to use binders and then self-select to answer a survey about binders - shows that 97% report at least one negative result, yes, I would say it is better to tell someone thinking about starting to not do it.

OP, there are some great links here with evidence.

To add another thought if needed, would the person you need this for consider a sports bra instead?

If no, the next "best" alternative could be sports tape. I discussed this with a medical professional who I trust (who has been on the journey with me supporting my daughter) when my daughter told me that she didn't like sports bras "because people can see the outline of them". He was well aware of the problems with breast binders and that they were harmful. All types. There is no such thing as a safe binder.

We tried the sports tape for a while (even thought I was reluctant, because it is a potential foot on the affirmation pathway) but in the end my daughter concluded that a) she didn't like having to keep replacing it and b) the expense wasn't justified. I had previously put my foot down on "trans tape", her original request as a sports bra alternative, and had explained to her that I wasn't prepared to support anything that was branded and positioned as something that was specifically for flattening breasts in relation to gender identity. It was an incredibly difficult conversation - at her suggestion we booked an appointment with the health professional and he facilitated it - but we worked through it successfully together.

She is now happily using sports bras again. I think it helped that she found out male footballers use them too (to hold heart rate monitors etc), so perhaps it doesn't really matter if people see the ridge of the outline.

Obviously please ignore if it's no help, as I appreciate the ask was for info about harm.

In a nutshell, my approach has been to:
a) recognise that my daughter doesn't like her breasts at the moment and understand how she can feel more comfortable about them
b) draw the line at anything which introduces the idea that her discomfort is a sign that she isn't meant to be a girl. First and foremost, she is an autistic girl who is struggling with her changing body during adolescence, both in regards to the changes that are out of her control and in a sensory aspect. As her mum, I want to support her to feel more comfortable in herself, based on the reality of her body and without introducing any bias.

Flipent I fully agree that mental health should be a factor, hence my approach above. However, I don't see any value in providing a short term fix, which is the start of an affirmation pathway that is most likely to lead to breast amputation. I looked at what was said online in "LGBT communities" about breast binders. The takeaway message was that they hurt and cause all sorts of problems but that's OK because when you're ready for "top surgery" all your problems go away.
There is no evidence to suggest that any of this does actually resolve the underlying mental health issues.... and plenty of growing concern that it does the very opposite.

Ah that old chestnut "they're going to do it anyway so they might as well be as 'safe' as possible"

🙄

If mental health is a relevant question then proper exploration with a licensed non biased therapist is indicated.

And if someone wants to actively damage their healthy body, I suggest that might indicate poor mental health. Like any other form of self harm.

Agree about the short term fix.

I was discussing social transition with a friend regarding her child, and it's danger of seeing the child on a pathway that is difficult/ impossible to reverse out of.

She said 'but it can help them feel better'. Well yeah, they're are times when drinkng an entire bottle of wine might help me to feel better, in the short term. Doesn't mean it's a good idea, or helpful in the long run.

Binding is similar.

Edit for typos.

What @AstonCanKissMyArse said, and would you say the same about self harm with a razor? Or assisted calorie counting for an anorexic?

Compression methods associated with symptoms were commercial binders (20/28), elastic bandages (14/28) and duct tape or plastic wrap (13/28).

To add... Sports tape is not wrapped around the body if used as per my comment above.

And if someone wants to actively damage their healthy body, I suggest that might indicate poor mental health. Like any other form of self harm.

Exactly.

Or assisted calorie counting for an anorexic?

This analogy is used very well (and not overused) in the book that Sue and Marcus Evans wrote on gender dysphoria. I've mentioned this book previously on other threads but worth saying it here too. They are both supporters of an evidence-based approach. IIRC, Marcus said in his Heretics interview recently that he couldn't imagine a viable clinical trial for PBs. I should imagine the same could easily be said for surgeries. It will be interesting to see what comes out of the adult pathway review and the joined up 17-25 year old care. I can't imagine many healthcare professionals will continue advocating for binders, knowing the physical harm that they cause and the near inevitable pathway to surgery.

I hope this is a joke? It's called female genital MUTILATION for a reason.

Thank you very much everyone for your thoughtful comments and links.

We have had PE teachers tell us on previous threads that the girls wearing binders also cannot/find it very difficult to, do sport, particularly in the heat. Considering how activity is supposed to be good for mental health, this is an issue to consider too.

I don’t believe that someone posted on this thread that there no harms with a ‘proper’ binder and that we all just want their to be harms. That has to be a wind up surely.