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Home Conditions Body Concerns Sagging or Drooping Breasts

Condition: Sagging Or Drooping Breasts

Sagging or Drooping Breasts symptoms
& causes

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Medically reviewed by Dr Aamer Khan

19th February 2025

The condition

Deep Scars

What is Sagging or Drooping Breasts?

Sagging or drooping breasts, or breast ptosis, are a condition that occurs when the skin and supportive tissues of the breast lose their elasticity or firmness, so that the breasts sit lower on the chest. Breasts sag when the skin stretches and the ligaments that hold them up weaken. This is a natural process that occurs over years of genetic aging, weight changes, pregnancy and breastfeeding.

Types of breast ptosis:

Mild Ptosis (Grade 1): At this early stage, the nipple is level with the inframammary fold, or slightly below it. There can be a minor loss of upper breast fullness, but the figure still looks better–shaped.

Moderate Ptosis (Grade 2): At this stage, the nipple is below the inframammary fold but still above the lower part of the breast tissue. The volume in the upper breast disappears and the lower breast seems heavier.

Severe Ptosis (Grade 3): In severe ptosis, the nipple is very low on the breast and faces downwards. The breast tissue sits low off the chest, causing a deflated, sagging look.

Pseudoptosis (False Ptosis): In pseudoptosis, the nipple stays at or above the inframammary fold, but the lower breast tissue droops. This gives an upper breast hollowed-out appearance, causing the breasts to appear droopy, even though the nipple hasn’t noticeably moved.

Parenchymal Maldistribution (Lower-Pole Hypoplasia): Parenchymal maldistribution is a condition caused by breast that is not typical form, which looks underdeveloped at the top and fuller at the bottom. When elevated, the breast tissue may create a hollow scoop instead of a rounded, natural arc. This type of ptosis is also sometimes called tubular breasts or lower-pole hypoplasia.

Symptoms
When to See a Doctor
Causes
Risk Factors
Complications
Prevention

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Condition: Sagging Or Drooping Breasts

Contents

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The symptoms

Breast ptosis occurs over time. Some are subtle and some are more obvious. Here are the signs that your breasts might be losing their natural lift:

Breasts hang lower on the chest wall.
Nipples point downward.
Loss of volume in the upper breast.
Loose or wrinkled skin.
Breasts appear longer or flatter.
Skin rash or irritation under the breasts.

When to see a doctor?

Consultation Is The Key

How does it affect you?

When breasts sag so much that it makes you uncomfortable or self-conscious, it’s usually time to schedule a consultation with the physician. Some women also have neck, shoulder or back pain, as the weight pulls downward, particularly those with larger breasts. Others might experience skin irritation, redness or rashes underneath the breasts from friction and excess moisture. If the bras don’t fit well, check with a doctor for options. Very noticeable asymmetry due to a drastic change in breast shape may also be cause for concern and you should seek medical advice, as it may indicate an underlying problem.

A doctor can recommend treating sagging breasts based on your breast shape, skin elasticity and personal goals. If sagging breasts are compromising your comfort level, posture or self-esteem, a specialist can help you determine the appropriate course of action.

Advised treatments

Breast-lift

Body Treatment

Breast-augmentation

Body Treatment

Fat-transfer-to-breasts

Body Treatment

Breast-reduction

Body Treatment

The causes

What is it that makes breasts sag or droop?

Breast sagging can be caused by a combination of the following:

Breakdown of the mammary glands: The breast tissue gradually changes over the years, so they lose some firmness.
Loss of skin elasticity: As people get older, their skin also loses its ability to bounce back, making their breasts less firm and more droopy.
Gravity: The unavoidable force of gravity stretches skin and connective tissue, which can cause breasts to sag.
Macromastia (enlarged breasts): Larger breasts are heavier so will strain our tissue more quickly causing sagging skin on your chest.
Menopause: Changes in hormones decrease skin elasticity and alter breast tissue.
Pregnancy: Breasts grow during pregnancy, which can stretch the skin and tissues beyond their capacity for recovery.
Weakened breast ligaments (Cooper’s ligaments): These ligaments give the breast support, but they may lose their strength and stretch after some time.
Weight loss: A drastic loss of weight stretch causes the skin to sag, making the breasts go down.

The risk factors

Who is more likely to have breast ptosis?

There are a number of factors that may contribute to breast sagging. These risk factors include:

Age: The older you get, the more collagen and elastin in your skin starts to break down, leaving it not as firm and more susceptible to sagging.
Breast size and weight: Heavier or larger breasts are pulled more by gravity, which causes them to sag faster.
Genetics: The shape of your breasts, your skin elasticity, and the strength of your breast tissue are all inherited traits that can affect how your breasts change over time.
Smoking: Smoking damages collagen and elastin, which weakens the dermis and causes skin to lose firmness quicker.

The complications

Hidden Dangers

How can it affect you?

Breast ptosis is not a health risk, but it may cause some challenges, including:
- Back,neck, and shoulder pain.
- Skin irritation and rashes.
- Difficulty finding comfortable clothing.
- Lowered confidence and self-esteem.
- Discomfort during exercise.

The prevention

Wear A Supportive Bra

How does wearing a supportive bra help prevent sagging?

A well-fitted bra supports the breasts and prevents strain on breasts’ skin and ligaments. It assists in keeping the breasts still so as not to move too much to cause stretching of the tissue over time.

Best type of bra

A structured, full-support bra with a stiff strap and a snug band provides the most lift. Sports bras also matter in the moment of exercise, as they stop up-and-down stretching, which keeps breasts healthy and bouncy.

Weight Fluctuations Affect Your Breasts

What is the role of weight change in sagging breasts?

Frequent weight gain and loss can cause the breast skin to stretch, making it more difficult for it to bounce back. This contributes to a loss of firmness, particularly when skin is unable to tighten properly post weight loss.

Keeping your weight stable

Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising regularly can help prevent major weight fluctuations. But not going too extreme and emphasizing slow, steady weight loss also saves the skin from stress.

Keep Skin Hydrated And Healthy

Why is hydration important for firm breasts?

Getting enough moisture in your skin keeps it strong and flexible, which assists in supporting the breast tissue. Moisturising the skin and drinking water prevent skin dryness and weakness of the skin fibers, which leads to drooping.

Skincare routine

To firm up the breast skin, use of collagen-boosting ingredients like vitamin C or hyaluronic acid in a moisturizer helps. Also, use sunscreen because too much sun breaks down collagen and causes skin to sag faster.

Avoid Smoking

How does smoking lead to sagging?

Smoking breaks down collagen and elastin, the proteins that hold skin tight and firm. This weakens the skin over time, causing the breasts to lose shape and sag earlier than usual.

Quit smoking helps improve health

Giving up, of course, will not completely undo the damage, but it slows the pace of collagen loss and will improve the health of the skin. In fact, with time, the skin can recover some of its strength, which allows it to delay sagging.

Strengthen Chest Muscles

How does exercise help keep breasts firm?

Exercise can’t actually raise the breasts themselves, but it does strengthen the muscles you can’t see under the chest. A more powerful chest can effectively provide the breast tissue enough support and help them appear somewhat elevated.

The best exercise for your breasts

Examples of developing workouts include push-ups, chest presses and dumbbell flys, which target the pectoral muscles and work to tighten and lift the area. Maintaining good posture also helps in enhancing the overall breast appearance.