So much of the literature out there around undesirable changes in a woman’s breast involves pregnancy or, with the increasing popularity of GLP-1s, losing a significant amount of weight.
But there are also breast changes as a result of menopause. In fact, shifts in hormones during peri-menopause (the years before actual menopause) can change the breasts in ways many women don’t expect. And let’s just say, they’re often not welcome changes.
Plus, since menopause happens later in a woman’s life, there are the added challenges to fullness and perkiness that naturally come with age and gravity. So it’s a double-edged sword.
How Menopause Impacts a Woman’s Breasts
Peri-menopause and menopause are just facts of life for older women. And the marked decrease (then eventual cessation) in estrogen production can really do a number on their breasts.
First off, the breasts become softer. Thanks to the drop in estrogen production, the firmer breast tissue that was in place during the reproductive years begins converting to fat. For some women, this increased fat can make the breasts appear larger.
On the flip side, many women experience smaller breasts because menopause marks the end of the body’s ability to produce breast milk. Thus, the mammary glands begin to shrink and may give some women’s breasts the appearance of less volume.
Then there’s sagging. As we mentioned above, by the time most women hit menopause, they’ve already dealt with the challenges of aging breasts. Collagen production has been steadily decreasing, and the breast skin has become lax. Menopause only amplifies this sagging (also known as ptosis) because gaining fat means losing density.
Menopause is no field day. And it often begs the following question:
Can Surgery Address Breast Changes As a Result of Menopause?
While breast changes because of menopause are normal, some women want to explore the option of regaining some of the breast shape and appearance they had during their reproductive years.
There are options. (But you knew we were going to say that.) Depending on each patient’s breast type and aesthetic goals, a board-certified plastic surgeon will likely recommend either a breast lift or breast augmentation. Possibly both.
Breast Lift
There’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all breast lift. There are actually four different types.
A crescenteric lift is performed on women who are experiencing minimal breast sagging. It’s called this because a crescent-shaped incision is made at the top of the areola margin. Meanwhile, a periareolar lift addresses more sagging than a crescenteric, but is still mild.
Designed for women who require a medium amount of surgical correction, the lollypop lift might be recommended. This lift changes two dimensions of skin and can create a more uplifted appearance.
When there is excessive sagging or a long hanging breast, a full breast lift is recommended. This involves working with all three dimensions of the skin.
Breast Augmentation
While a lift can provide a certain degree of perkiness, a breast augmentation is what will boost fullness and volume.
For women seeking a more natural alternative, fat can be harvested from another area of the body and transferred to the breasts. This is known as a fat transfer.
Other women may opt for saline, silicone, or gummy bear implants.
- Saline implants are filled with sterile salt water and offer a firmer feel.
- Silicone gel implants offer a more natural look and feel.
- Gummy bear (cohesive gel) implants are form-stable and maintain their shape. They are ideal for a firmer, teardrop-shaped breast.
There are two common types of incisions for breast augmentation. A periareolar incision is made along the inferior border of the areola while an inframammary incision is made along the crease of skin underneath the breast.
In both cases, the surgeon can typically reuse the incision for any needed reoperations. And because of the incision locations, the scars are relatively or even completely unnoticeable.
Ready to Discuss Your Options?
If you’re noticing breast changes as a result of menopause, now is the time to consider a breast lift or augmentation.
Contact us today to discuss the options available to you.
And why not cruise through menopause and ease into your golden years with confidence?