Your sex life can affect the size and appearance of your breasts—but probably not in the way you might think.

For a start, you may already have noticed short-term changes in your breast size and appearance during and after sex. “Having sex temporarily alters the shape and appearance of your breasts due to changes in blood circulation,” explains Dr. Judith Holmes of Spire Parkway Hospital. “The breasts may look and feel fuller and more pert, and the veins may become more easily visible through the skin surface.

Typically, Holmes explains, the change is temporary, diminishing in the “resolution phase,” as she terms it, post-orgasm. The effect, however, can be pretty substantial. Dr. Ram Prasad, our consultant breast surgeon who undertakes countless breast enlargement surgeries every year, says that he would expect breasts to increase in size during sex from anywhere between 15 and 25 percent.

It’s not just sex that affects your breast size. “Women may also notice a peak in their libido while they are ovulating (12-14 days before their period),” Prasad explains. “When this occurs, the body’s oestrogen and progesterone levels are at their highest—these hormones stimulate the growth of breast tissue.”

In addition to getting bigger, your breasts might look different during sex. In particular, your nipples can change. Nipples become more prominent during sex, Prasad explains, due to the wonder of hormones. “When stimulated, the hormone oxytocin is released causing the nipple to become erect,” he says. “In addition, the muscles behind the breast contract causing the areola to tighten and create a goose bump-like effect on the skin.”

And is there any merit to the schoolyard taunt that women who have saggier breasts do so because of all the bouncing during sex? “Repeated jolting or bouncing of the breasts without any support can cause discomfort and saggier breasts in the longer term,” says Holmes, “by weakening the Cooper’s ligaments that support the breast tissue.” However, this also applies to running and other high-impact exercise. If you’re concerned, Holmes recommends wearing a well-fitting sports bra.

But both Dr. Holmes and Dr. Prasad are in agreement: Sex can’t fundamentally transform your breasts’ size or shape. “Despite playground rumours,” Prasad confirms, “there is no scientific evidence to suggest that frequent sexual activity has any permanent effect on breasts.”

In order to see long-term changes to your breasts, you’d have to undergo a pretty major, life-altering event, like pregnancy. “For the size and shape of your breasts to be significantly altered, the body would need to undergo a prolonged state of hormonal changes, as seen during the nine months of pregnancy,” says Prasad. The contraceptive pill can also affect your breast size and shape, and aging will change their shape.

If you feel that your breasts have become different in size, and it has been causing you to feel insecure or unhappy, then our team of surgeons can help. At our clinic we offer free consultations to provide information and advice on the various surgeries we offer at our clinic which are designed to achieve natural and beautiful results for everyone. Make an appointment with us today to start your journey towards feeling happy in your body again!