Dear Amy,
I was trying on swimsuits with my best friend the other day, and I realized something that has me seriously upset—one of my breasts is bigger than the other! I asked her if she could tell, and she said that I looked fine, but … she’s my friend and wouldn’t say anything to hurt my feelings. So, now I feel like a lopsided freak, and I am a little ashamed of myself for being worried about it since I am more than just my boobs and it shouldn’t matter. What can I do about this?

Well, first of all, stop feeling like a freak—lots of women have breasts that don’t match perfectly. You are not the only one. Sometimes, this is a temporary issue that improves as you are going through puberty, while for other women, it is something that they have throughout their lives. As long as your breasts are healthy and lump-free, they shouldn’t cause you too much worry. I realize that that’s easier said than done, but you were right when you said that you are more than just your boobs.

With that said, there are some things that might be affecting the appearance of your breasts that you can work on if they apply to you. One of the biggest things to look at is your posture—are you standing up straight? Is one shoulder higher than another due to toting around your schoolbooks, laptop, or soccer gear? Both of those things can make a difference in how you look, and even more importantly, they can make a difference in how you feel. Making an effort to stand up straight and making sure that you “spread out the load” when you are carrying heavy bags and backpacks can have a big payoff by improving posture and reducing back and neck pain—as well as possibly helping with the symmetrical appearance of your chest.

Another thing that might help improve your overall health and happiness while also having a positive impact on the appearance of your breasts is exercise. Pushups, weightlifting, and swimming can all help increase the strength of your pectoral muscles—which may affect the symmetry of your breasts in a small way. If it is still bothering you after you work on posture and muscles, there is always the option of camouflage. For example, you could put a pad into your swimsuit top or bra cup on the smaller side.

When it gets down to it, though, your breasts are just one part (well, two parts) of who you are. Learning to love them as a part of your wonderfully imperfect self is another step on the road to happiness.

p.s. If you want to help your breasts be healthy and happy throughout your life, be sure to ask your health-care provider about breast examinations, and make sure that s/he has a clear picture of your family history related to breast cancer. You can get a lot more information about healthy breasts at all ages at www.cdc.gov/cancer/breast/fact_breast_health.htm. PD




Disclaimer: For educational purposes only. Not intended as medical advice.
Amy Cavender, M.Ed., has a counseling degree from Texas State University and works for a nonprofit agency that provides reproductive health-care services based in San Marcos, Texas. Send all sex- and health-related questions to amy@paperdollsmag.com.