I think most women can relate to the discomfort of a poorly fitting bra. For many, there is just no such thing as a comfortable bra out there. The wire stabbing you, the back riding up, the straps digging in. And of course, the all-time favorite: the double boob.
According to several international studies, a surprising 80% of women wear the wrong size bra. Why is that a problem? And how can you know if you’re one of them?
The whole point of your bra is that it's designed to support your breast - if your bra isn't doing its job, your back, neck and shoulders will have to instead. Over time this can lead to related health issues as well as circulation, skin and serious posture problems.
Lets take a closer look into some of the most common problems women might experience wearing an ill-fitted bra.
Back pain
If the band around your ribs is too loose, it will slowly ride up your back, allowing your shoulders to roll forward. In this case, the breasts are supported only by the shoulder straps, which will put unnecessary pressure on the nerves and mussels in your back and neck. Over time, this can (and most likely will) lead to postural disorder and back pain.
Imagine going for a hike. Your backpack has got straps over the chest and over the hips. Would you only use the chest straps and leave the hip straps hanging on the sides? Most likely not, that would give you a very sore back. Wouldn't it?
Headache and migraine
Related to the back pain, pressure from the straps can also lead to headache and sometimes even trigger migraine. To compensate for the wrong bra size, women will often tighten the shoulder straps thinking it will give them more support. Unfortunately, this will only cause more tension in all the nerves and muscles in your upper back and neck. Giving you a painful headache. Having to much pressure on your shoulders will also lead to skin problems and indents over time, as the straps will dig into your shoulders.
Lymph nodes and sore breasts
If your bra is too small in the cup, the wire will sit right against your breast tissue. This can lead to serious and irreversible damage over time. Too much pressure on the breast tissue can also affect the lymphatic system. Especially if the back band is too tight as well, it can cause restricted lymph flow and toxic build up.
So, what if you are experiencing some, or all of the above? In my next post I will write about what you can do. Stay tuned!
All The Best,
Lingerie Niné