How Menopause Changes Your Boobs
Sometimes people describe menopause as a second puberty – and I don’t know anyone who had an easy time of puberty. (If you did, please don’t tell me. I don’t want to resent you.) Like puberty, menopause is a time of intense change that goes on for years. This can be stressful! It’s hard to get comfortable with what feels like a whole new body. It might have taken your whole life so far to get used to the old one, and now you’re starting over again. So let’s talk about it! Here’s how menopause changes your boobs – and your bras.
The Montelle bralette is soft and stretchy, making it a great lounge option for tender breasts.
What’s happening to your boobs?
Elisabeth Dale of The Breast Life notes in her wonderful book, The Bra Zone, that about 20% of women find that their breasts get bigger during menopause. (Which means that whether yours do or not, good news! You’re normal.) We all have one breast that’s at least a bit bigger than the other, but with size fluctuations you may notice it more. Another common change is in breast density: your breast tissue will probably become a bit softer. And just like when you were twelve, your boobs might feel more tender or even painful for a while, with extra nipple sensitivity.
What’s happening to your bra wardrobe?
This might be the first time in your life you’ve had big boobs. Maybe you used to be comfortable going bra-less, or you could get by picking up bras at the mall and your size was easy to find. It’s frustrating to suddenly not know what fits your body! This is a good time to start working with a bra fitter, if you haven’t before. Few people wear just one bra size, but especially now, your size will be shifting. A fitter can help you find what works for you.
Wacoal’s Visual Effects wirefree bra is lightweight and easy to wear – plus, it’s pretty!
But it’s not just about fit. Style and materials matter, too. Things like nipple sensitivity and hot flashes make fabric choice really important, so don’t be shy about telling your fitter what’s up. You may find you’re more sensitive to lace and seams, or you overheat in foam t-shirt bra cups. Seamless cups in a softer, lightweight fabric can be a lifesaver, and if you’re worried about “headlights,” a set of nipple covers can do the trick.
Menopause can be a time of lifestyle changes as well as physical ones, often overlapping with retirement. This may or may not make a difference in the kind of bras you prefer. Maybe you’ll want some wireless options, or to change up your colour scheme. Consider your lifestyle when you’re planning your bra wardrobe.
Focus on what you can control.
Menopause, like puberty, takes away some of your control over your body. It’s suddenly doing all kinds of stuff without your permission or input, and that can be both emotionally intense and disempowering. But you know what you do have control over? How you dress your body. So do it with things that bring you joy and make you feel like you. We asked our Facebook and Twitter followers what they wished they’d known about boobs and bras before menopause, and what they’ve learned since. The top response was the importance of a good fit and feeling pretty. Which, I know from talking to some of you, can feel impossible! And I can’t tell you that it’ll work right away. Transitions always take time. A good bra isn’t a cure for body insecurities, but it sure can help.
Full disclosure: I haven’t experienced menopause yet, and despite my research, I know that there will be things I’ve missed. Please feel free to chime in in the comments! Today’s post was inspired by a reader request. If you’ve got an idea or a question you’d like answered, let us know in the comments or shoot us an email at orders@broadlingerie.com. We’d love to hear from you.
