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Have you ever fallen down the Reddit rabbit hole in a desperate attempt to seek answers about a medical condition? First of all, no judgment, and second of all, it’s completely understandable! Platforms like Reddit offer a sense of community for those of us trying to wrap our heads around frustrating diagnoses that can affect our fertility, like, say, PCOS.
The problem with these online forums is they don’t always offer evidence-based medical advice. Sometimes, these discussions can even create more questions than answers! For example, one query that’s come up from these Reddit chats is whether there is a link between PCOS and having tubular breasts.
While online forums are great for building communities with people who have shared similar experiences, medical-related questions should be directed to your healthcare provider. This way, you can avoid going down rabbit holes populated by unsubstantiated claims.
But before we tackle the alleged connection between PCOS and tubular breasts, it’s important to establish what tubular breasts are, exactly. Since this is an underreported condition, it’s currently difficult to determine if tubular breasts are a common occurrence.
What are tubular breasts, anyway?
Tubular breasts occur when breast tissue doesn’t grow as it should during puberty, resulting in breasts that don’t have a round, full shape. Tubular breasts are considered a congenital anomaly, presenting in either one or both breasts, and affecting both men and women, explains Kecia Gaither, M.D., a double board-certified OB/GYN and Maternal Fetal Medicine doctor, and the Director of Perinatal Services/Maternal Fetal Medicine at NYC Health & Hospitals/Lincoln in Bronx, New York.
Although Dr. Gaither says the exact cause of tubular breasts is unknown, they’re believed to be “due to a genetic causality involving collagen deposition.” It’s still difficult to pinpoint who might be at particular risk for tubular breasts, however, because of the limited research available.
What we do know is that people with tubular breasts tend to experience partially developed breasts during puberty due to an overall slow breast development. Typical characteristics of tubular breasts include “wide spacing between breasts, enlarged puffy areola, a high chest wall, and a narrow base at the chest wall,” says Dr. Gaither. In addition, tubular breasts can involve the nipples pointing downward, or the breasts appearing oval-shaped.
Since this isn’t a dangerous condition, most people only get an official diagnosis when they’re considering breast augmentation surgery.
Are tubular breasts harmful?
Having tubular breasts cannot harm you physically, and for that reason, there are no medical treatments available for this condition. But, if you don’t feel comfortable with the appearance of your breasts, there are surgical cosmetic reconstruction options, which, according to Dr. Gaither, include “tissue grafting, autonomous fat grafting, or utilization of implants.” You can always consult with a plastic surgeon about breast augmentation surgery if you feel strongly about changing how your breasts look.
It’s also a good idea to consult a mental health practitioner if the shape of your breasts is affecting your self-esteem. Dr. Gaither does acknowledge that having differently shaped breasts may cause “psychosexual problems during puberty.”
Although Dr. Gaither confirms that there is no correlation between tubular breasts and infertility, she does warn of one potential complication: Tubular breasts “may be associated with low milk supply during breastfeeding.” So if you’ve been diagnosed with tubular breasts and you’re planning to have children, you may want to research alternate feeding options like formula.
Is there a connection between PCOS and tubular breasts?
Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is a hormonal condition where the ovaries produce an excess amount of androgens (male sex hormones). It's also one of the leading causes of one of infertility among women.
While there is no shortage of online forum discussions linking PCOS and tubular breasts, it’s important to remember that they are two distinct conditions. One of the reasons why PCOS and tubular breasts might be conflated in conversation is because both conditions are the result of hormonal factors. Therefore, they “can occur together,” says Dr. Gaither.
But “tubular breasts aren’t caused by PCOS,” she clarifies. Still, there is a subtle connection: “Hormonal imbalances in PCOS may influence how breast tissue develops in some clinical situations,” Dr. Gaither explains.
As with tubular breasts, the exact cause of PCOS remains unknown, though some studies suggest that genetic factors may play a role. The main difference between PCOS and tubular breasts is that PCOS can be treated under medical guidance. If you do have a PCOS diagnosis, speak with your healthcare provider about creating a customized plan to help manage your symptoms in a safe and effective way.
Sarene Leeds holds an M.S. in Professional Writing from NYU, and is a seasoned journalist, having written and reported on subjects ranging from TV and pop culture to health, wellness, and parenting over the course of her career. Her work has appeared in Rolling Stone, The Wall Street Journal, Vulture, SheKnows, and numerous other outlets. A staunch mental health advocate, Sarene also hosts the podcast “Emotional Abuse Is Real.” Visit her website here, or follow her on Instagram or Twitter.