Uneven Breasts

Breasts are never 100% symmetrical, but in some women the difference is so great that we speak of asymmetric or uneven breasts. This is the case when the breasts differ by more than one cup size. Many women with an uneven bust opt for a breast operation in which one of the breasts is corrected, creating greater symmetry.

There are two ways in which the breasts can be asymmetric. Firstly, the shape of one of your breasts may differ because part of the breast has not developed properly and is misshapen. Secondly, the sizes of the breasts may differ. If there is more than one cup size difference, it is fair to say that there is asymmetry. An operation can make your breasts more symmetrical, but bear in mind: complete symmetry will never be achievable.

Uneven breasts are often caused by a congenital condition. The most common conditions are underdevelopment and overdevelopment of the glandular tissue in the breast. Below you will find four causes of breast asymmetry:

• Hypoplasia: Underdevelopment of breast glandular tissue on one side
• Hypertrophy: Overdevelopment of breast glandular tissue on one side
• Poland Syndrome: Unilateral underdevelopment of the breast and the pectoralis major muscle
• Tuberous breast deformity: The lower part of the breast is underdeveloped

If you have uneven breasts, this often becomes noticeable for the first time during puberty. Your breasts begin to grow, but over time you notice that one of your breasts remains smaller. While you initially hope this will even out, it eventually becomes clear that the difference only grows. After about six years, your breasts have finished growing and you can definitively see whether you suffer from asymmetric breasts.

To prevent others from noticing your uneven breasts, you can choose to pad your bra on one side. At lingerie shops you can find bra padding that you can insert into your bra, so that no difference is visible when dressed. You can even do this with a bikini, so that you can swim normally in summer.

Are you considering a correction for your uneven breasts? It is important to research your options thoroughly. During a consultation with the plastic surgeon, you will discover which treatment is suitable for your breasts. Make an appointment online or call 023 5444 974 for more information. Below you will find a decision guide so you can see for yourself which treatment best suits your situation.

A unilateral breast augmentation with a single breast implant is the best solution when one of your breasts is underdeveloped, in the case of hypoplasia or Poland Syndrome for example. Your 'good' breast is of normal size and suits your body, but the other breast is relatively too small. More about breast augmentation

If you suffer from hyperplasia, also known as overdevelopment of the breast tissue, then a breast reduction treatment is a better option. Your smallest breast has the correct shape and size, but the other is too large to match your body shape. You can have this reduced to minimise the difference. More about breast reduction

If you feel that neither breast fits your body well in terms of size, it is possible to have both breasts operated on. We then increase the size of the smaller breast slightly and reduce the larger breast, so that we meet in the middle in terms of cup size. More about breast reduction and augmentation

With tuberous breasts, it is not the size but the shape of one of the breasts that is abnormal, because the lower part of the breast is underdeveloped. To correct this, the plastic surgeon corrects the lower part of the breast. By adding more volume here, greater symmetry is achieved. More about treating tuberous breasts

The difference in size or shape of your breasts can cause the larger breast to sag somewhat more. If you choose to have your smallest breast enlarged, your breasts will still not be symmetrical. It is therefore sometimes advisable, alongside the unilateral breast augmentation, to have the larger breast lifted. This will make your bust more symmetrical and no one will be able to tell they were ever uneven. More about the breast lift

Would you like a unilateral breast augmentation but do not want a breast implant? Then lipofilling may be a good solution. The surgeon injects fat from the abdomen or buttocks into the breast to make it larger. The result is similar to a breast augmentation with an implant, but the effect is somewhat more limited and only suitable if your breasts differ by a maximum of one cup size. More about breast augmentation with lipofilling

Do you suffer from uneven breasts and feel very insecure about them? Know that you are not alone. Most women experience psychological issues as a result of breast asymmetry. They may, for example, feel unfeminine or feel ashamed of their breasts. It can therefore be beneficial to make an appointment with a psychologist who can help you process these feelings of insecurity.