This guide is written for adults. If anything about your breasts worries you, a GP is the right first step.
What the shape looks like
The features vary from person to person, and one breast or both can be affected:
- a narrow base, so the breast looks tube-like, oval or pointed rather than round
- a crease under the breast that sits higher than usual
- a wider gap between the breasts
- large areolas, sometimes with the breast tissue pushing forward into them
- less fullness, especially in the lower half
- breasts that differ in size or shape
Why it happens
The shape shows up as the breasts develop. The connective tissue around the breast doesn't let it expand evenly, so the lower part stays narrow. The exact cause isn't known. It isn't caused by anything you did.
Is it a health problem?
No. Tubular breasts aren't harmful and aren't a sign that something is wrong. They don't need treatment. How common the shape is isn't known for certain; it may be fairly common, and many people never have it named.
Some women with this shape find they make less breast milk. If you have a baby and feeding is hard, your public health nurse or a lactation consultant can help.
Your GP first
A GP is the right first person to talk to, at any age. They can look at the shape, check anything that worries you, and talk about how you feel about your body if it's weighing on you. Feeling self-conscious about breasts is very common, and you don't have to have surgery to deal with it.
Surgery is only for adults whose breasts have finished developing
Breasts keep developing through the teenage years, and the shape can still change after that. Surgeons don't operate until development has finished. This site is for adults, and the enquiry form is for people aged 18 and over.
What surgeons can do
There are many techniques and no single agreed approach. Depending on the shape, a surgeon may release the tight tissue at the base, lower the crease, reduce the areola, add volume with an implant or your own fat, or combine these. Ask the surgeon how often they treat this shape, what they'd do in your case and what the limits are.
Insurance
Health insurance plans normally exclude cosmetic surgery but may cover correcting a disfigurement from a condition you were born with. Whether this shape counts depends on the insurer and the case. Ask your insurer in writing before anything is booked.
Choosing a surgeon
Every doctor practising in Ireland must be registered with the Medical Council, and only a doctor with specialist registration can practise independently as a specialist. For any breast surgery, check that the surgeon is on the Specialist Division in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, using the Medical Council's online register.
Nobody needs urgent surgery for this shape. Take your time, and walk away from any clinic that pushes you to book on the day.
Questions people ask
Are tubular breasts dangerous?
No. They aren't harmful and don't need treatment. See your GP if anything about your breasts worries you.
Can tubular breasts be corrected?
In adults whose breasts have finished developing, yes, with several possible techniques. There's no single agreed approach.
What is the difference between tubular and tuberous breasts?
Nothing: they're two names for the same shape.
Will tubular breasts affect breastfeeding?
Some women with this shape make less milk. A public health nurse or lactation consultant can help.