6 Things That Happen To Your Breasts As You Age

From changing shape to losing their firmness, your breasts will inevitably change over the course of your life. But which changes are a completely normal part of breast development, and which breast changes might require a second opinion from your primary care clinician?

In this article, we will talk through six common breast changes you may experience as you get older, helping you better understand your body through the different stages of your life.

1. They lose firmness

Whether it’s due to weight fluctuations, breastfeeding, or just generally getting older, breasts losing their firmness is a completely normal change.

In terms of getting older, you’ll most likely notice your breasts losing their firmness as you reach your 40s, when you’re approaching perimenopause. And while there can be many different reasons for these breast changes, the most common age-related factors include:

• Hormonal changes: During the menopause, your oestrogen levels will decrease drastically, which affects your breast tissue. That’s because oestrogen helps maintain the firmness and fullness of your breasts, so when your levels drop, these menopausal breast changes begin to take effect.

• Loss of skin elasticity: As you get older, your body produces less collagen – the essential protein that gives skin its firmness and elasticity. With lower collagen levels, the firmness and fullness of your breasts change.

• Changes in breast tissue composition: With normal breast development, the proportion of fatty tissue in your breasts gradually increases. This tissue is softer, which means your breasts lose their firmness as you get older.

2. They may develop lumps

As you get older, it’s possible that you may develop lumpy breasts. This is typically most common for women in their 30s or 40s, though you should be regularly checking your breasts for lumps at any age.  

Often, these lumps are harmless and are a completely normal part of breast development. For example, as part of menopause breast changes, it’s common to develop cysts, which are harmless lumps filled with fluid.

However, lumps on your breasts can sometimes be a sign of something more serious, such as breast cancer. As such, you should regularly check your breasts for lumps to stay on-top of your breast health. This vigilance is especially important for those with a family history of breast cancer, as the risk of developing cancerous lumps is much higher.

If you do find a lump, you shouldn’t wait to be offered a routine screening – visit your general practice to rule out breast cancer and put any worries to rest.

3. They change size

Breasts changing size will be nothing new to most women. For example, as part of normal breast changes during your menstrual cycle, your breasts may get bigger and then smaller over the course of the month.

Breasts change size a lot during pregnancy too. In fact, it’s quite common for women to go up one or two cup sizes during pregnancy, due to an increase in oestrogen and your body getting ready to breast feed. Even after finishing breastfeeding, your breasts may not return to their previous size or shape; some women’s breasts stay large, while others shrink.

More generally, breasts typically stop growing around the age of 18, though other women may find that their breasts get bigger if they put on weight or start hormonal medication, such as a contraceptive. That’s why it’s a good idea to get measured when you buy a new bra, just in case your size has changed. It’s not unusual to go up or down a whole cup size during normal breast development.

Then, as you get older, you may notice that there is a wider space between your breasts and that the breast themselves have shrunk in size. That’s because, as part of menopause breast changes, your oestrogen levels decrease, which impacts your breast tissue.

4. They change shape

Much like with breasts changing size, it’s a completely normal part of breast development for them to change shape over the years. There are many potential reasons for these breast changes, such as:

• Puberty: Your breasts will change shape during puberty, getting rounder as the fatty tissue and milk-producing glands continue to grow.

• Weight fluctuations: Similar to breasts changing size, weight fluctuations also affects the shape of your breasts. Putting on weight can make your breasts feel rounder and fuller, while weight loss can cause your breasts to sag.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you may also notice that your breasts change shape, getting rounder and heavier. However, your breasts can also begin to sag once you’ve finished breastfeeding. That’s because, as your breasts get bigger during pregnancy, the skin and ligaments begin to stretch and lose their elasticity – which makes it difficult to return to their original shape.

• Menopause: Your breasts will change shape and may begin to sag during the menopause too. As previously mentioned, your oestrogen levels will decrease significantly, which makes breast tissue dehydrated and less elastic. As a result, you may notice your nipples start to point downwards and your areola (area surrounding the nipple) might become smaller. Your breasts changing shape can also include your breasts becoming elongated, stretched or having a flatter appearance.

5. They stop having their monthly changes

As part of normal breast changes during your menstrual cycle, you may experience swelling, tenderness, aches, and changes in texture due to your hormone levels fluctuating.

However, as the menopause brings your monthly cycle of hormonal changes to an end, you can say goodbye to these painful and discomforting breast changes. This will be particularly good news for women who experience more severe breast changes during their menstrual cycle, such as regular premenstrual breast lumps or nipple discharge.

6. They get screened

While it’s not a physical breast change, when you reach 50 years old, you will start to be invited for routine breast cancer screenings every three years. There’s absolutely nothing to worry about – each breast will just be x-rayed one at a time, and then the results will be sent to you and your primary care clinician within two weeks.

However, even with these regular mammograms, it’s still really important to continue checking your breasts regularly yourself. To help you stay on-top of any breast changes, you can follow the 5-point plan from the NHS Breast Screen Programme:

• Know what’s normal for you.

• Look at your breasts and feel them.

• Know what changes to look for.

• Report any changes to a GP without delay.

• Attend routine screenings, if you’re aged 50 to 70.

In terms of warning signs for breast changes, you’ll want to keep an eye out for puckered skin, swollen or red breasts, nipple changes, as well as any lumps in your breast. If you notice any changes then go to see your general practice clinician who will be able to examine and support, if further investigation is required. 

How can Benenden Health help with any breast changes?

If you’ve noticed any abnormal breast changes or have felt painful lumps in your breast, you should make an appointment to see your primary care clinician as soon as possible.

If you’re a Benenden Health member, you can also call our helpline for medical advice from a qualified UK-based GP, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. They can help put any worries to rest or ease anxiety while waiting for a face-to-face general practice appointment.

As well as providing information on breast development, Benenden Health provides affordable private healthcare for everyone, giving you access to services such as our 24/7 GP Helpline and Mental Health Helpline straight away. Once you've been a member for six months you can request access to diagnostic consultations and tests.

You'll also have access to a wealth of health and wellbeing articles, videos and advice on a range of health issues.

If you’d like to find out more about your body, such as when to go to the general practice about your periods, head over to our women’s health hub.

Medically reviewed by Cheryl Lythgoe in July 2024.