Link between common ailments and bra size

Monday, October 13 was the annual No Bra Day commemoration. It is a day set aside to raise awareness about breast health, self-examination and body positivity. And what started as an awareness campaign for breast cancer has now become a global conversation about comfort, confidence and women’s freedom to choose what makes them feel good in their own bodies.

Many women are joining the conversation and expressing themselves while observing the day. Indeed, for some women, going braless has become a lifestyle rather than a one-day thing. But the No Bra Day isn’t just about ditching your bra, it’s a call to action for women to prioritise regular check-ups and talk more openly about breast cancer.

No Bra Day serves as a reminder about the importance of breast health. And you cannot talk about breast health without talking about the hazard of wearing ill-fitting bra as a woman because the wrong bra size can cause health problems?

Wearing the wrong size bra is not only uncomfortable, but it can also cause a range of health problems for women, as researches have shown that a lack of breast support often leads to breast pain, which is reported by 50 percent of women.  Also, an ill-fitting bra can lead to breast skin damage, neck, back and shoulder pain, bad posture, and rubbing and chafing leading to skin abrasions as well as permanent changes like deep grooves in the shoulders caused by pressure from the bra shoulder straps.

And despite this fairly long list of health implications, millions of women continue to wear ill-fitting bras. The bra marketplace can be overwhelming and confusing. But, unlike shoes, breasts change size, shape and position throughout the menstrual cycle and throughout life. So women’s bra size can change regularly. Despite this, there is limited guidance for women to assess their own bra fit.

Trying to determine how to find your bra size has become practically an art form, and only the chosen few seem to be lucky enough to find something that really works for them and is comfortable. It is said that almost 80 percent of women may be wearing the wrong bra size.

The negative effects of wearing the wrong bra size include:

Neck, back and shoulder pain: It’s a well-documented fact that larger breasts cause more back pain or exacerbate already existing pain. Without the support of a well-fitting bra, the pain will only get worse. The same is applicable for neck and shoulder pain. It’s important to note that even if you do get a properly fitted bra, then it might not eliminate all of the neck, back, and shoulder pain you’re feeling.

Rib cage pain: An ill-fitting bra can even cause rib cage pain because the band of the bra sits directly on top of the rib cage, making a bad-fitting bra a potential danger to discomfort. An effective way to combat this rib cage pain is to know how your bra band should sit on your body.

Poor posture: Poor posture is also a side effect of ill-fitting bra. Back, neck, and shoulder pain can contribute to poor posture as many people tend to hunch their back when they’re in pain to try and help alleviate that pain. As a result, your back, neck, and shoulders just hurt even more.

Blocked lymph nodes: Lymphatic vessels are very thin, and they’re easily prone to pressure and compression. Excessive and repeated pressure on the nodes in the breasts can cause lymph valves and vessels to close.

Breast skin damage and breast pain: Having the wrong size bra can cause damage to the skin around your breasts and ribcage; underwire bras that don’t fit properly can dig into your skin and poke you.

A band, shoulder straps, or cups that are too tight can cut into your skin and cause chafing due to the constant contact with your skin and the consistent rubbing motion.

Breast cancer: Wrong bra size may trigger breast cancer because a bra that’s too tight will block blood flow to the breasts, which can cause cancer.