Breast malformations are deviations from the normal size or shape of the breast form. This deviation is not only individual or cultural, but also medical.
The malformation of a breast can be due to genetics or disease. During puberty, various malformations of the breast can often occur – but also, for example, with advancing age or after pregnancies.
Breast malformations can be a very strong psychological burden for affected patients. However, physical risks are usually not present.
The female breast is much more than an organ for nursing babies. The breast represents sensuality and femininity. It conveys feelings of pleasure and is always at the center of social discussions, significant historical events and the performing arts.
Certain features of a breast look particularly attractive: a balanced and laterally equal height ratio between the upper and lower halves of the breast and a flared breast when viewed from the side. The breasts develop in the unborn child in the womb as early as the fifth to seventh week on both halves of the body along the so-called milk line, which extends near the armpit to the groin. The milk line subsequently regresses, except for the mammary gland attachment above the pectoral muscle at the level of the third to fifth rib.
Under the influence of hormones, the growth of mammary gland tissue begins between the ninth and thirteenth years of life. To avoid the 17. until 18 years of age, the breast is fully developed. Breast malformations lead to a high level of suffering and significantly impair the quality of life. Sufferers suffer from strong feelings of shame, excessive shyness and low sexual self-confidence.
Willingness to play sports, join clubs, or participate in school activities is impaired. Rejection by peers on social media, even bullying, is not uncommon. Surgery can significantly improve the shape and volume of a malformed breast, and thus its impact on mental health.