Breast reduction

You may consider having a breast reduction operation if you have physical discomfort or psychological distress due to having large breasts.

Physical problems may be:

• backache
• neck pain
• shoulder ache
• skin irritation
• poor posture
• excessive sweating, rashes and skin infections under the breasts
• weals or grooves on the shoulders from bra straps
• an inability to exercise or take part in sports

Psychological distress can be:

• unwanted attention or harassment
• self-consciousness
• difficulty finding clothes that fit
• depression

For both women and men, breasts can become large due to fatty deposits within them. Losing weight by eating a healthy diet and doing regular exercise may help reduce the size of your breasts without the need for surgery.

Glossary

Pain

Pain is an unpleasant physical or emotional feeling that your body produces as a warning sign that it has been damaged.

Ache

An ache is a constant dull pain in a part of the body.

Depression

Depression is when you have feelings of extreme sadness, despair or inadequacy that last for a long time.