Here's what you need to know, especially if you have a fuller bust.
How are your bras treating you these days? Do you struggle to find the right fit or support? Is it impossible to feel comfortable after the 9-5 is done and when the 5-9 starts?
And how do your bras feel when you eat something that makes you bloated? Or when your hormones fluctuate? Or when you go through a weight transition? Or a new life stage (pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause)?
Bra-fitting experts will tell you you're doing it wrong. They'll say: if your bra is uncomfortable, it's because you're wearing the wrong size. They’ll measure you and give you your new size, which is often a smaller (tighter) band to provide more secure fit and support.
But the underlying cause of bra pain is not your bra size. Your bra problems will not go away when you find and buy the 'right' size.
Because bra problems are caused by something else.
The underlying cause of most bra pain and discomfort is this simple fact:
Your body changes. All. The. Time.
You are not one constant size or shape. Every human body is a living, breathing, organic life form made up of 70% water. It expands, contracts, and pumps a variety of fluids within and between its organs, tissues, arteries, glands, and cells every minute of the day. Cyclical hormones in women's bodies add even more complexity.
Our bodies depend on the free flow of cellular fluids to keep critical health systems working. And all those systems come together in one place in the body: the chest and torso. Right where—you guessed it—you get measured for a bra.
It's like the old saying, "even a broken clock is right twice a day." The bra size you are measured for in the morning may well be the wrong one after lunch, or next week, or next month.
As time passes, our bodies get less resilient. They change through puberty, pregnancy, and again in midlife due to fluctuating and unpredictable hormone levels. So, if you have a post-kids body, chances are some things are different. Bras can suddenly become an issue for you, even if they never used to be.
No matter how clean we eat or how fit we are, when perimenopause hits—usually in our forties—many of us begin to carry more weight in our torso and carry it differently (gaining weight in the boobs and belly).
These changes in our bodies affect the way our bras and clothes fit, and the tighter and more constrictive they become, the more hazardous they can be to our health and contribute to long-term health issues.
A surprising number of health conditions can be caused by – or exacerbated by – restrictive bras and shapewear, especially for women dealing with perimenopause and menopause.
Read on for perspectives from a variety of health and breast experts worldwide, and learn more about Embrago's solution to break free from constrictive bra pain and enjoy “wearable well-being.”
How tight bras cause internal issues and health risks
Though many bra and breast experts emphasize the importance of wearing a supportive bra, there is a difference between supportive and suffocating, according to the article What Happens When You Stop Wearing a Bra in Real Simple. In the article, the Montclair Breast Center notes that wearing a bra that’s too tight can cause circulation problems and even cardiovascular issues.
According to a Breast Care Center Miami blog post on the consequences and side effects of wearing a too-small bra band, “the chest is a delicate region housing vital organs and a complex network of nerves and blood vessels. Wearing a bra that is too tight can inadvertently constrict this area, leading to discomfort and, in some cases, chest pain.”
The blog goes on to say that “the constriction caused by an overly snug bra can compress nerves, restricting their ability to transmit signals properly. Additionally, blood vessels may face undue pressure, hindering the normal flow of blood to and from the chest. This compromised circulation can result in aching and soreness, symptoms that are mistakenly attributed to other factors in many cases.”
In addition to compromising your circulation and blood flow, registered dietician Michelle Rauch shared in Healthline that tight clothing can also worsen gastrointestinal disorders, like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Crohn’s disease, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). “Tight-fitting clothes have the capacity when too tight to put additional stress on the stomach and intestines,” Rauch says. She also warned that if you have a condition that causes bloating, like IBS, tight clothing may negatively impact your digestion and worsen symptoms.
New health risks of tight bras are being identified, as groundbreaking research is uncovering more knowledge of important bodily systems which to-date have not been fully understood–including lymph fluid, interstitial fluid, and fascia. All these systems are negatively impacted by physical constriction, which has profound implications for immune system function and musculoskeletal pain.
Discovering the solution: how can Embrago help you on your journey to comfort and health.
More than 8 years of research, prototyping, fit testing, and material sourcing went into engineering Embrago’s unique design and style—plus a lot of imagination and determination. The result? Innovative clothing with built-in bust support for comfort and fit, flattering your curves just as they are while keeping you comfy and healthy all day, every day.
Embrago's revolutionary Body Responsive Design™ is a patented system which accommodates and adapts to weight fluctuations and hormonal changes that affect bust size.
What makes Embrago unique:
Patented Band-Free Design Embrago uses a radically new, band-free design with flexible seaming and an invisible network of hidden panels to lift and shape without constriction. Traditional bras and bra alternatives rely on tightly-fitted bands around the rib cage to support breast tissue. But those tight bands cause painful and unhealthy constriction and don't accommodate your body's natural changes due to hydration or hormone and weight fluctuations.
Premium Fabric & Fabrication Because we don't use any hardware, the right fabric is essential. We use only premium textiles that are strong and durable oh-so-soft, natural fibers, not the oppressive synthetics used by shapewear companies. We source the highest-quality sustainable organic cotton in luxurious, thick weave that is breathable, naturally odor-resistant, and gentle on your skin. Then we add just the right amount of stretch and seaming for secure support with maximum comfort and ease.
Wearing band-free, non-constrictive styles offers significant health benefits:
Freedom to Move and Flow Your body can move and function naturally while Embrago’s patented design securely holds your bust in place. You won't feel "harnessed" by elastic and tight straps like with sports bras and tops, and you won't feel like you're going to fall out. Our soft, band-free designs allow total freedom of movement, which means you can breathe deeply, and your muscles, nerves, blood, and lymph fluid can move and flow freely, for a full range of motion, and optimal health and exercise outcomes.
Better Design for Better Health Embrago's design is the first truly new approach that prioritizes the health and comfort of midsize, plus size, and mature bodies--especially the ones with fuller busts who are most affected by daily bra pain. Millions of women in the U.S. wear bras daily and spending 75%+ of their lives in their bras. The average bust size is 34DD and as breast tissue damage worsens with age, women over 40 with larger, heavier breasts suffer the most. Associated health issues range from back pain and migraines to esophageal irritation and irregular heartbeats. Embrago's design is the first and only one designed to eliminate the root causes of bra-related health problems and allow women's bodies to function naturally.
Listen to your intuition, invest in your wellbeing.
If you've ever unhooked your bra at the end of the day (or earlier!) with a sigh of relief, you already know intuitively that having a tight band around your chest just feels wrong.
Now, close your eyes and consider. Do you regularly experience bra pain, irritation, or discomfort? Do you ever suffer from health issues in or around your stomach, chest, shoulders, arms, neck, or upper back?
If so, don't blame your body. It's doing what it's designed to do. And know that you don't have to keep buying more bras in a never-ending search for the "right" bra size. You have options.
Listen to your body with compassion, and consider whether it just might be time to invest in a more lasting solution that's designed to work with your beautifully-changing body, day in and day out.
If the answer is yes, try the health-promoting support of Embrago with free shipping and a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee. Say goodbye to bra pain for good, and get on your way to improved health and wellbeing today!
Black and white photos appear courtesy of:
Model, creative director, stylist: Asi Efros @asiefros
Photography: Michael Goldman @michaelgoldmanphoto
Hair: Katie Marie Rote @katiemarierote
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