Different side breast shape, is it normal?
Every woman is born with one pair of breasts on the right and left sides of the chest. Even though they both look the same, many women realize that their breasts are one-sided. Actually, is it normal for the breast shape to be one-sided?
Between the right and the left side, the shape of the breast can be different, be it in terms of size, shape, and diameter of the nipple, nipple position, or skin texture. This difference can be caused by several things, including birth, body fat levels, the number and content of the mammary glands, hormone levels, or certain diseases.
The shape of the different breasts is generally normal
Breasts that are different in shape or one-sided size are generally normal and need not be worried about, especially if this has happened since childhood and there are no other complaints that accompany it.
Likewise with different left and right nipple shapes. One nipple may be flat or curved inward, while the other is protruding as it normally is.
Many factors can cause one-sided breast size and shape, including genetic factors, trauma to the breast, hormonal changes during menstruation or pregnancy, to the habit of breastfeeding more on one side only.
Also, one-sided breast differences can be caused by breast development disorders at puberty, such as:
- Hypoplastic breasts or hypoplastic breasts, which is when the tissue in the breasts does not fully develop during puberty
- Juvenile hypertrophy, which is when one breast grows much faster than the other
Even so, these disorders generally do not cause problems and do not require specific treatment or treatment.
Differences in breast characteristics that are not normal
If the difference in the breasts occurs suddenly and drastically, you need to suspect it as a disorder. There are several different characteristics of breasts that you need to be aware of, namely:
1. Size
The difference in abnormal breasts can be seen from the very different sizes between the right and left sides. This can be caused by atypical duct hyperplasia (ADH), which is a condition when the mammary glands grow more than normal.
ADH is not cancerous, but it has a greater potential to become cancerous. Breast size that is very different between the right and the left can also be a sign of breast cancer, especially if it is accompanied by pain.
2. Position of the nipple
Ideally, the position of the nipple is located in the middle of the breast and is in a straight line with the nipple next to it. The position of the nipples will also remain parallel even though the position of the breasts is raised or decreased. However, abnormalities in the breast can make the left and right nipples misaligned.
3. Skin
Breast skin should be smooth and supple like the skin on other parts of the body in general. If there is a change in one of the breast skins, for example, the texture becomes rough like orange peel, thickens, redness, heat to the touch, or even forms a wound, there may be an abnormality in the breast.
4. Texture
Normal breasts generally have a chewy texture when massaged. If the texture of the breast feels one-sided, for example, one feels harder or has a lump, it is likely that the difference is due to an illness.
So, if all this time your breasts are a little different in size and shape, you don't need to panic. Actually, many women experience the same condition, really. However, if the changes in the shape and size of the two breasts are very different, you need to be aware.
Sometimes this change is not felt and only realized when there are complaints or it is too obvious. So, it is important for you to always do BSE or breast self-examination so you know if there are changes that occur in your breasts.
If you feel the shape of the breast is one-sided and find something suspicious during BSE, immediately consult a doctor. The doctor will perform an examination, such as mammography or breast ultrasound, to determine the cause and provide appropriate treatment if necessary.
