Introduction
Breast unevenness can be a natural developmental outcome for some women. Often, minor differences aren’t even noticeable and are considered normal. Significant differences that exist beyond puberty or occur after puberty require medical attention. So, when should you worry?
In this article, we’ll explore breast asymmetry, understand what causes it, and discuss what you can do to correct it.

Breast Asymmetry Explained
Breast asymmetry is described as unevenness between breasts in terms of volume or size, shape, or position. One breast could be notably bigger, more rounded versus elongated, or sit considerably higher or lower than the other on the chest.
There are mostly three types of breast asymmetry presentation:

Anisomastia | Anisothelia | Combined Asymmetry |
Unevenness in volume or size | Differences in the nipples and the area around it (areola) | A combination of Anisomastia and Anisothelia |
What’s Behind Breast Asymmetry?
There are a variety of probable factors that can contribute to asymmetrical breasts. They can begin in early puberty when breasts begin to develop or later in life. Understanding what causes breasts to be asymmetrical can help make more informed decisions about corrective treatment options and whether or not you should choose them.

Medical reasons
Breast Hypoplasia: This condition may be present since birth (congenital) or occur later in life. It is defined by underdeveloped breasts with an elongated or tubular presentation. Breast hypoplasia occurs due to the absence of sufficient sub-glandular tissue thereby limiting the volume of breasts and resulting in visible unevenness.
Amastia: It is a rare congenital condition in which the internal breast tissue, the nipple, and the areola are completely absent. Amastia can be present in one (unilateral) or both (bilateral) breasts, with the former being more common.
Juvenile Hypertrophy: Also known as adolescent or virginal hypertrophy, juvenile gigantomastia, and juvenile macromastia, this condition presents as an alarmingly rapid or extreme growth of one or both breasts in the prepubertal period. It is benign and relatively rare.
Poland Syndrome: A rare developmental disorder wherein the chest (pectoral), shoulder, arm, and hand muscles are underdeveloped on one side (unilateral). Due to underdeveloped or deformed pectoral muscles, the breast is visibly uneven or absent. Nipple and areola development may also be impacted.
Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia (ADH): This condition affects the milk ducts in the breasts and is characterised by abnormal growth and DNA alteration of the milk duct cells. This abnormal growth can make the breasts look uneven.
Hormonal reasons associated with life events
Puberty: As development occurs during puberty, sex hormones – namely oestrogen and progesterone – promote the growth of breasts and mammary glands. In this early stage of puberty, it is normal for breasts to be uneven. One breast may develop faster than the other, but over time both usually become even and the visible differences disappear. Sometimes, however, the unevenness or differences can continue into adulthood.
Pregnancy & Breastfeeding: During pregnancy, oestrogen and progesterone also stimulate milk glands and influence the development of the mammary glands to help your body prepare for lactation and breastfeeding. In doing so, one or both breasts might become bigger. Or they can alter the shape of a breast. It’s also important to note that during breastfeeding, your baby may prefer to nurse from one breast more than the other. This can lead to increased milk production from one breast to the other, making it appear uneven. Changes in breast shape and size after a pregnancy can be temporary or long-term.
Significant Weight Changes: Sudden and drastic weight gain can impact the volume of breasts by directly influencing the amount and ratio of breast tissue to fatty tissue. For example, high levels of fat increase the production of the oestrogen hormone which in turn increases the size of breasts. Higher levels of oestrogen are found to be associated with breast asymmetry. While breast asymmetry isn’t directly attributed to weight, it can make pre-existing breast unevenness more prominent.
Medical interventions
Breast Cancer Treatment: One or both breasts may be surgically removed to eliminate malignant cells and treat breast cancer, and this can result in significant asymmetry. Reconstructive surgery may be advised in this instance.
Physical Injury: Serious injury or breast surgery can lead to scarring of the tissues and potential unevenness, thus impacting breast symmetry.

Genetics
History of Breast Asymmetry: Genes play a significant role in your development and family history is a great indicator of it. Unusual breast development or asymmetry in the family can increase your likelihood of experiencing it.
BRCA Genes: The genes – BRCA1 and BRCA2 – are tumor suppressors and help repair damaged DNA. Mutation of the BRCA genes prompts cells to grow at an abnormal rate and increases the risk of breast and other types of cancer. A physiological and visible outcome of the BRCA gene mutation is breast volume asymmetry.
It’s critical to note that not all instances of breast asymmetry indicate breast cancer. However one of the symptoms of breast cancer is asymmetrical breasts.
Top Treatment Options for Breast Asymmetry
The type of treatment or corrective surgery required depends on the kind of breast asymmetry. For example, if the unevenness in appearance is due to volume or shape, breast augmentation, reduction or a lift surgery may be advised. If it’s a more balanced appearance that you seek, you might want to explore a reshaping surgery. Here’s a breakdown of the different surgery techniques to correct breast asymmetry, and how they help:
- Breast Augmentation Using Implants: Also known as breast enlargement surgery and mammoplasty, this procedure involves the placement of silicone or saline implants into your breasts to increase their size, improve their shape, or correct unevenness. There are three methods used during breast augmentation surgery – implants are placed behind the breast tissue, they are placed under the pectoral (chest) muscles, or placed using a combination of both methods called dual-plane augmentation. Depending on the technique used, incisions are made on the breasts and the implants are inserted.
The type of implant and the surgical method used during a breast augmentation surgery are determined by your goals and your anatomical proportions.
- Breast Reduction: To correct breast asymmetry, breast reduction surgery might be advised. During this procedure, excess breast tissue is removed from one or both breasts to match their sizes.
Generally, the surgery also involves reshaping the remaining breast tissue to give your breasts better shape and symmetry and repositioning the nipples and areolas on the now-reduced breasts.
- Breast Lift: Also known as Mastopexy, a breast lift is often combined with a breast augmentation or reduction procedure. During this surgery, loose or excess skin and tissue are removed from around the areolas and under the breasts. The breasts are reshaped to give more definition, and made to appear fuller and perkier.
This surgery may involve repositioning the nipple to complete the appearance and can also help your breasts look like they’re placed higher and more even.
- Breast Implant Explantation: Breast implant removal may be necessary for many reasons including the patient’s desire to change the implants for cosmetic reasons, general wear and tear of the implants over time, incorrect placement or displacement moving the implants too far apart or too close – all of which may contribute to some degree of asymmetry. Breast implant explantation is the surgical process to remove breast implants. This procedure also becomes necessary in case of implant rupture which leads to unevenness. Capsular contracture, which is the formation of scar tissue around the implant, is another complication that can contribute to asymmetry and requires the implant removal to correct it.
While these instances are rare, care should be taken to avoid them by ensuring implant-based breast augmentation is personalised to your goals and anatomical proportions.
- Nipple/Areola Reshaping Surgery: Loose and excess skin can make breasts appear misaligned and droopy. Surgically reshaping or repositioning the nipple and areola can help correct it, giving your breasts a more natural and aesthetically balanced appearance. Typically, this procedure is combined with other breast surgeries to provide symmetry to your breasts, but it may be done separately as well to correct an inverted nipple, use a nipple lift, reduce the size of your nipple, or reduce the size of the areola.
- Liposuction: This is a minimally invasive procedure during which a small incision is made and fat is removed from the area using a cannula (a small and flexible tube that is inserted into the body to inject or remove different fluids from the body). In the case of a breast liposuction surgery, fat cells are gently removed thereby reducing the size of the breast, matching the size of one with the other, and making them appear more even and balanced.
In comparison to a breast reduction surgery, liposuction is minimally invasive, leads to minimal scarring, and only removes fat cells from small areas to make your breasts look more even. Its scope is limited and is not advisable if you’re looking for a drastic change or reduction in the shape or size of your breasts to achieve symmetry.
- Fat Transfer Augmentation: Used to improve the shape and size of your breasts and make them appear more natural, fat transfer augmentation also helps surgically correct unevenness of the breasts. Using this method, excess fat from other parts of the body such as the abdomen, the hips, or the thigh, is removed by liposuction, purified, and injected into the breast. This procedure is called lipofilling and fat grafting.
Changes resulting from a fat transfer augmentation appear to be more subtle, more natural-looking, and cause minimal scarring. There is a lower risk of rejection, but it is critical to ensure that the fat injected is absorbed evenly to effectively correct the asymmetry between breasts.

Inspiring Stories of Breast Asymmetry Correction
Natural breast asymmetry exists. Along with it exists asymmetry resulting from breast cancer treatment or any other breast surgery. Regardless of the cause, patients have found the corrective surgery that helped them achieve their ideal breast shape, size, and position.
7 FAQs on Correcting Uneven Breasts You Shouldn’t Miss
- Can breast asymmetry be corrected?
Yes, breast asymmetry can be permanently corrected. Depending on the degree of asymmetry, the patient may choose surgical or non-surgical treatment options. Surgical options can range from breast augmentation using silicone or saline implants, breast reduction, liposuction, breast lift to nipple or areola reshaping, fat grafting, and breast implant removal surgery. For temporary improvements to minor asymmetry in the breasts, patients can choose between specially designed bras, padded bras, and external breast prosthetics that are worn with a specially designed bra.It’s important to note that minor asymmetry is normal and to be expected especially in the early years of development or puberty. Corrective surgery may be advised if the asymmetry is pronounced and continues into adulthood.
- Does breast asymmetry cause pain?
Yes, pronounced or significant breast asymmetry can cause pain, especially in the back, neck, and shoulders. The differences between the two breasts in volume, density, or position can impact their weight distribution and put excessive strain on certain parts of your body that support your breasts. The uneven weight distribution of the breasts can also impact daily activities such as exercise. Finding bras that can offer adequate support can also be a challenge. These daily problems can contribute to a patient feeling self-conscious, embarrassed, or frustrated in addition to the pain and discomfort.
- What is the best surgery to correct asymmetrical breasts?
The best surgical option depends on the degree of breast asymmetry the patient experiences as well as their individual needs and goals. There are a few surgical procedures to choose from such as breast augmentation using implants or fat grafting where fat cells are harvested from the patient’s body and reintroduced into their breasts to correct asymmetry. There are other procedures such as breast reduction, liposuction, nipple or areola reshaping, breast lift, and breast implant explantation or removal. Your surgeon may recommend any of these surgeries or a combination of these based on an evaluation of your breasts.
- What are the risks associated with breast surgery to correct asymmetry?
Depending on the type of breast surgery you’re undergoing, your medical team will inform you of the complete procedure including the risks associated with it. Generally, however, expect some swelling around the surgical site and the loss of sensation in and around your nipples after surgery. The swelling will reduce and you will regain nipple sensitivity as you heal.You can also expect varying degrees of scarring depending on the type of breast surgery to correct unevenness. For example, an extensive breast reduction can leave more scars in comparison to a minimally invasive liposuction procedure. In case of breast implants, major complications include capsular contracture, implant rupture, and implant extrusion wherein the implant breaks through the skin. However, these complications with breast implants are rare.
- What is the recovery time for breast asymmetry surgery?
The recovery time will depend on the type of breast surgery you’re undergoing and your circumstances. Generally, however, expect to be away from heavy-duty engagements like exercising, strength training, and heavy lifting for six weeks minimum. You will experience pain and swelling at the surgical site through the first few weeks that may be managed using pain medication. You will be able to move around and get back to work two weeks after your surgery, with very little exertion and utmost care.
- Can uneven breasts be fixed without surgery?
If you experience minor asymmetry, you could consider non-surgical methods to correct breast unevenness. Specially designed bras with padding or padded inserts can help make your breasts look even and fuller. There are also external breast prosthetics that can help make a smaller breast match the size of the other breast when worn inside the bra. Alternatively, chest exercises can help achieve a more even appearance of the breasts. However, these options may be ineffective if the degree of breast asymmetry is significant and causes physical pain due to uneven weight distribution.
- Does the NHS cover surgery to fix breast asymmetry in the UK?
No, the NHS doesn’t cover cosmetic surgeries of any kind including those to correct uneven breasts. However, they may make exceptions and consider funding the surgery if it is a medical necessity. Example: breast asymmetry arising from a congenital condition (from birth). The patient will also have to undergo an evaluation by a specialist registered under the NHS to certify that the difference between the two breasts is at least 250 grams, that you’ve completed puberty, and that the condition causes high levels of physical discomfort, psychological distress, and/or medical issues.After evaluation, the case will be referred to a committee that reviews and decides whether the surgery meets and satisfies all funding requirements.
Conclusion
Surgery to correct pronounced breast asymmetry or unevenness can have a positive impact on your physical and mental health. An empathetic team of medical professionals, personalised care, effective pre-operative instructions and after-care guidance, can bring further relief and support to you on this journey.
References
Adeseye Adekeye, Kirsten C. Lung, Kristin L. Brill, Pediatric and Adolescent Breast Conditions: A Review, Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Volume 36, Issue 1, 2023. Pages 5-13. ISSN 1083-3188, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpag.2022.11.001.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1083318822003357)
Soliman SA, Algatheradi MA, Aljahwashi TA, Alhussan TH, Alqahtani RS, Ali NI. Virginal Breast Hypertrophy: A Case Report. Cureus. 2023 Jun 6;15(6):e40067. doi: 10.7759/cureus.40067. PMID: 37425593; PMCID: PMC10326455.
Christina N. Canzoneri, Kurtis E. Moyer. Challenges in Breast Evaluation: Breast Asymmetry, Macromastia, and the Surgically Altered Breast, Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinics of North America. Volume 49, Issue 1, 2022. Pages 73-85. ISSN 0889-8545, ISBN 9780323897402,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ogc.2021.11.004.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0889854521007725)
Dennis M. Styne. Chapter 3 – Puberty. Editor(s): Courtney Finlayson. Pubertal Suppression in Transgender Youth. Elsevier, 2019, Pages 13-24. ISBN 9780323569637.
https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-323-56963-7.00003-X.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B978032356963700003X)
J.T. Manning, D. Scutt, G.H. Whitehouse, S.J. Leinster. Breast asymmetry and phenotypic quality in women, Evolution and Human Behavior. Volume 18, Issue 4, 1997. Pages 223-236. ISSN 1090-5138. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0162-3095(97)00002-0.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0162309597000020)
Scutt D, Lancaster GA, Manning JT. Breast asymmetry and predisposition to breast cancer. Breast Cancer Res. 2006;8(2):R14. doi: 10.1186/bcr1388. Epub 2006 Mar 20. PMID: 16563179; PMCID: PMC1557716.
Breast Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS). Implant Techniques. Updated 2021. https://www.bapras.org.uk/public/patient-information/surgery-guides/breast-augmentation/implant-techniques
National Health Service (NHS). Breast Reduction (Female). Reviewed 2023 Sept 19. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cosmetic-procedures/cosmetic-surgery/breast-reduction-female/
The British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS). Breast Uplift (Mastopexy). https://baaps.org.uk/patients/procedures/5/breast_uplift_mastopexy