breast healthStock Shop Photography LLC\/Getty Images
\nThey\u2019re right there on our chest\u2014AA or DDD, perky or pendulous, nipples pale pink or dark brown\u2014and yet most of us don\u2019t give our breasts much thought day to day. But we should. Here\u2019s what the look and feel of your dynamic duo can tell you about your health.<\/p>\n
growing breastsAlex Kokoulin\/Getty Images
\nIf your breasts are growing, it\u2019s likely due to weight gain (because breasts are made up of mostly fat cells, in addition to glandular tissue), pregnancy (as milk ducts ramp up for breast-feeding), birth control pills, and\/or hormonal changes related to your menstrual cycle (they\u2019re very sensitive to shifts in estrogen and progesterone). No need to worry, though you might need to buy new bras.<\/p>\n
Shrinking size<\/p>\n
hrinking breast sizemoodboard\/Getty Images
\nIf you find your chest shrinking, you\u2019ve likely either lost weight or your estrogen levels are falling, perhaps from going off the pill or impending menopause. If you\u2019re seeing shrinkage and none of those apply (especially if you also have hair loss, acne, and facial hair), consider being tested for polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), which is characterized by high levels of the hormones testosterone and DHEA. Or maybe just lay off the Starbucks. A study in the British Journal of Cancer found that drinking three cups of coffee a day caused breasts to shrink in some women, with additional cups increasing the effect. The culprit is a gene shown to link breast size to coffee consumption.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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