Trendy-Lingerie.com — Last week Marks & Spencer, Britain’s largest retailer of lingerie, dropped its controversial surcharge on bras larger than DD cups.

But many women with large breasts are still paying a high price, both physically and psychologically:

Despite being some of the best endowed in the world two thirds of British women report larger breasts are preventing them from keeping fit and healthy and over 37% from finding love.

Considered by many as an asset, larger breasts are actually linked to poor posture, which in turn brings a catalogue of physical and psychological effects. One in 10 women cite breasts as the reason for low confidence when it comes to dating or talking to men and up to a third suffer from pain when exercising (33%).

More worryingly, between 60 and 90% of women with large breasts have sought treatment for back pain or even considered more drastic action such as plastic surgery (22%) as a result of bigger breasts.
- Source: The real cost of big boobs, Female First, May 14, 2009

It is important for large-breasted women to wear a bra that provides ample support during all normal activities. Shopping for such a bra make take a lot of time and effort. For one thing, finding the right size bra can be a tremendous challenge.

Weigh Your Breasts

Our advice is that you do not rely solely on bra-fitting specialists. You need to first have a good idea of your current cup size. Susan and I have tried out many of the traditional methods, but we believe there is no better way to find your true size than to weigh your breasts using the ‘bowl of warm water’ method. This is not only the most accurate method, but — if you ask us — also the most fun.

Do it by yourself during a private moment, or let your boyfriend/girlfriend/husband join in on the fun.

Breasts Change In Size

Keep in mind that over time your breasts change in size. We’re not just talking from year to year, but also from month to month, week to week and even day by day.

Our breasts are fuller and more tender during our monthly cycle. Some women gain a half to a full cup size. Breast also fluctuate in weight and size in response to your diet and exercise regime. Even your love life can cause your breasts to become larger (though ever so slightly) as your hormones work their magic.

Measure your breasts over a period of time and buy your bras accordingly. In other words, it is good practice to have several cup sizes on hand.

Breast Reduction Surgery

We believe that surgery should only be a last option. That said:

Women with large breasts may want a reduction to ease the backache and shoulder pain they can cause, and for improved proportion. During surgery, breast tissue is removed and skin is removed to give the breasts a lift.

Best age: Women generally have a breast reduction between 18 and 25 if their breasts are causing discomfort or after 40 when metabolism and hormonal changes mean breasts can become uncomfortably large.

Sell-by date: ‘In a small percentage of women, the breasts can grow in size again following surgery,’ says Grover. ‘They may need to update the procedure in around seven years.’
- Source: Plastic surgery may work – but it doesn’t last for ever, Daily Mail, April 27, 2009

Breasts and Dating

Large breasts should not form an obstacle to dating — and in our opinion, usually they do not. However, many women who feel their breasts keep them from finding a lover do not actually think that men will object to the size of their breasts, but rather to their appearance.

They worry about what a man will think when he gets to the point where he discovers your stretch marks, your huge aureoles or, gasp, the fact that your boobs sag the moment your bra comes off.

Yet worrying about the size and shape of our breasts is common to most women, regardless of cup size. And that while most men are simply all too happy to prove such worries unfounded.

Our advice: take good care of your breasts. Accept them regardless of size or shape. Treat them lovingly and consider them to be special. The better you feel about your breasts, the more inclined you will be to give them the best support you can find.