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wire free organic bra
  • Health

Is There Such a Thing as a Healthy Bra?

Katie WellsApr 23, 2021
Dr Betsy Greenleaf
Medically reviewed by Dr. Betsy Greenleaf, D.O.
Reading Time: 5 min

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Wellness Mama » Blog » Health » Is There Such a Thing as a Healthy Bra?
Table of Contents[Hide][Show]
  • Why Do Women Wear Bras?
  • Benefits of Going Bra-Free+−
    • Built-in Breast Support
    • Going Bra-Free
  • The Healthiest Bra Materials
  • Ditch the Underwire… Maybe
  • The Perfect-Fitting Bra
  • Consider Your Stage in Life
  • The Healthiest Bra for Activity
  • Factoring in Body Size
  • Concluding Thoughts on Bra Health

Sixteen million bras are purchased every year, and yet an estimated 80% of us are wearing the wrong size bra! I’ve covered some of the pitfalls of the modern bra in this post, but today I want to discuss how to find the healthiest bra, and also consider the position of whether bras are healthy at all.

The answer depends on several factors, some of which may surprise you!

Why Do Women Wear Bras?

First it was the corset, then came the girdle, and finally the modern-day brassiere. Over the centuries, fashion has changed and the desired shape of breasts has changed with it. These special undergarments offer modesty, support during activity, and the enhancement of the female form.

Women today basically wear bras for the same reasons. They keep the girls perky and provide support, especially during more intense physical activity. Fashion has evolved, so special bras are necessary for different outfits.

Benefits of Going Bra-Free

Even though most of us wear one, research is showing that the 1970s may have been onto something with their bra burnings! There’s a surprisingly controversial link between bras and breast cancer. Several studies show that sleeping in a bra, underwire, or tightly fitting bras suppress lymphatic flow and may contribute to lymph stasis. This is when the lymphatic system can’t drain properly because of breast restriction. Some research show improper lymph flow may contribute to breast cancer.

There are easy ways to support lymphatic health at home, but we women can’t ignore that wearing a better bra (or no bra at all) could be one of them!

Built-in Breast Support

During puberty, the breasts and surrounding chest tissue are developing. Ligaments in the breast tissue, called Cooper’s ligaments are thin tissues that weave through the breast and attach to the chest to support the breast.

Over time, these ligaments naturally stretch and may cause the appearance of droopy breasts. Some believe that muscle atrophy also plays a part.

According to our medical reviewer, Dr. Greenleaf:

Droopy breasts are not necessarily from muscle atrophy. Though it is true that muscle can cause a lifted appearance, droopy breast occur naturally over time due to stretching of the Cooper’s Ligaments and because as we age our breast tissue diminishes and is replaced with fat which doesn’t fill out the breast as much. In addition, if you get muscle atrophy of the chest, pectoral muscles all you need to do is start working out to regain those muscles back.

In other words, chest exercises might not always be the answer, but they certainly don’t hurt.

Going Bra-Free

The evidence seems to suggest that going braless is the best option, if possible. However, for those who aren’t comfortable going braless in public, or who feel more comfortable with some support, this isn’t the best option.

Buying a healthy bra that allows the best lymphatic flow possible minimizes the potential damage caused by the contraption, while still providing the needed perks.

The Healthiest Bra Materials

Bras vary widely from sexy, lacy pushup models, to plain Jane cotton white. A few guidelines to follow when choosing a bra:

  • Choose a bra made with breathable (and preferably organic) fabric.
  • Organic cotton and bamboo are good choices.
  • Watch out for latex straps or nickel closures, which can be irritating to those who are sensitive to these materials.

A breathable fabric wicks away moisture to keep the chest area cool and comfortable. Our bodies eliminate toxins in sweat, so trapping that all inside a sweaty bra isn’t just uncomfortable, but unhealthy. Some have even postulated that tight undergarments may be a contributing factor to cancer as it inhibits the body’s natural cooling mechanism.

One case study of a 34-year-old woman found that her Mondor’s disease was most likely caused by her constricting bra. This rare disease is when a vein just under the breast tissue or chest becomes inflamed. Medical professionals suspected that tight-fitting bras and girdles are the primary culprit.

Ditch the Underwire… Maybe

As I mentioned earlier, several studies have shown and some experts agree that the metal underwire in our bras could be contributing to breast health problems. On the other side, there are those who adamantly disagree with this evidence, most notably the Komen foundation and the American Cancer Society.

I’ve opted for a bra without underwire just in case the evidence is true, and I’m more comfortable without it anyway. Tight or cheap underwire digging into the chest can also cause skin irritation, shoulder and neck tension, and even headaches.

A regular underwire bra isn’t designed to work without the added support, so simply removing the wire from the bra can create an ill-fitting result. There are plenty of bras designed to hold shape without plastic or metal running through the bottom.

The Perfect-Fitting Bra

A shocking number of women are going around in poorly fitting bras. This can be due to a number of reasons, but isn’t too hard to remedy. Here are some tips to keep in mind when fitting a bra:

  • The band on the bra should be comfortably snug, but not restricting. If it’s sliding around, then a tighter band is needed.
  • If the band is leaving red marks or the skin is bulging, it’s too tight.
  • The breasts shouldn’t be bulging out of the cups on the sides or top.
  • Neither should the bra look wrinkly or puckered, meaning it’s too large.
  • For those having trouble finding the perfect bra, a fitting with a professional can be helpful.

Another note: Heavily padded bras, like pushup bras, or even T-shirt bras push the breasts into a more pleasing shape. However, this artificial manipulation of the breast tissue isn’t necessarily healthy. The sexy, lacy, push-up bra in the store probably won’t be the one that’s healthiest. A comfortable, healthy bra can be worth giving up some frills for.

Consider Your Stage in Life

Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and menopause are times of hormonal change when the breasts fluctuate in size. A bra that has flexible, stretchy fabric helps to accommodate these often rapid changes. It will also allow freedom and movement of the breast tissue for healthy lymphatic flow and detox.

Unlike our circulatory system where the heart is the pump, the lymphatic system relies on physical movement to flow properly. So a little bounce in the bra is actually a good thing! Dry brushing is another great way to stimulate lymphatic flow.

The Healthiest Bra for Activity

Those involved in jostling sports, like running or horseback riding, are typically more comfortable with firmer support. The fabric should still be breathable and somewhat flexible though. In one study of 23 larger-sized women, they found that those running in sports bras with a wide, vertical strap stayed more comfortable than their cross-backed counterparts. However, in a similar study of smaller breasted women, the vertical shoulder straps were more likely to slide down and they were more comfortable with cross straps.

Factoring in Body Size

Those with a larger cup size tend to be more comfortable with wider straps and wider closures. This helps reduce the weight on the back, shoulders, and neck, which could negatively affect the spine, not to mentioning back pain or strained neck muscles.

One study of post-menopausal women found that those who had larger breasts and body sizes tended to have more mid-back pain.

Even if the back isn’t triggered enough to cause pain, it doesn’t mean that the body isn’t under damaging stress that still causes spinal subluxations. Subluxations compress the nerves that lead to all the body’s systems, impeding their function.

An ill-fitting bra can sometimes cause these issues for women with smaller cup sizes, too.

Concluding Thoughts on Bra Health

Going braless, or at least taking it off whenever possible (like in the evening or at night), is the healthiest option for many women. However, for those who still want or need a bra for various reasons, there are healthier options out there. A proper fitting bra with flexible, breathable, natural materials is a must.

Unfortunately, I haven’t found a lot of bras that fit the bill, and I certainly hope more companies start to consider breast health when making them.

  • I’ve worn the Coobie bra for years as a comfortable and supportive wireless option, but it isn’t natural material or organic.
  • Companies like Pact and Organic Basics have some great choices and there are more companies following suit.

If you know of a great healthy bra option, I’d love to hear about it!

This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Betsy Greenleaf, the first board-certified female urogynecologist in the United States. She is double board-certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology, as well as Female Pelvic Medicine and Reconstructive Surgery. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.

Which bras have you tried? Do you have a favorite, or are you a fan of going au natural?

Sources
  • https://chiromt.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2045-709X-21-20
  • https://www.redbookmag.com/fashion/how-to/g288/fun-bra-facts/
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18339205
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27800637
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26284162
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25255202
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24905581
  • https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24995060
  • https://www.bluestonechiropractic.com/do-you-know-your-right-bra-size/
Category: HealthReviewer: Dr. Betsy Greenleaf, D.O.

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About Katie Wells

Katie Wells, CTNC, MCHC, Founder of Wellness Mama and Wellnesse, has a background in research, journalism, and nutrition. As a wife and mom of six, she turned to research and took health into her own hands to find answers to her health problems. WellnessMama.com is the culmination of her thousands of hours of research and all posts are medically reviewed and verified by the Wellness Mama research team. Katie is also the author of the bestselling books The Wellness Mama Cookbook and The Wellness Mama 5-Step Lifestyle Detox.

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Reader Interactions

Discussion (56 Comments)

  1. Nicole

    January 6, 2020 at 11:23 AM

    I’m wondering if there are any good options for a young girl entering puberty. Your post states that training bras aren’t a good option, so are there any alternatives? Currently my modest 8 year old is wearing spaghetti string undershirts (her request) even though she doesn’t need them yet. I’m just wondering what to suggest when she starts asking for a training bra.

    Reply
  2. Jackie

    December 16, 2019 at 1:27 PM

    Have you ever experienced breast pain due to ill-fitting bras? I started wearing nothing but push-ups a year and a half ago not knowing how bad they were for me. I’ve had pain for the past year not knowing it was due to the extra padding. The pain goes away for the most part when I switch to a less padded bra but I can’t help but wonder if I did permanent damage. Still looking for a healthy alternative.

    Reply
  3. Jenylyn Smyth

    December 4, 2019 at 4:23 AM

    Really love reading your blogs! This one resonated with me so much because i’ve been trying to be more cautious of the clothing that i wear. My skin has been hyper-sensitive to synthetic materials for a strange reason lately. I also love reading comments because I discover really brands that I could try out. Thanks!

    Reply
  4. Nancy

    December 2, 2019 at 2:34 PM

    Katie, I am a fitness coach and a powerlifter. I am in tight-fitting games bras each day of the week for a large portion of the day. More often than not I am hot and sweat-soaked around my bosom region. I do put on something else, nonetheless, my rec center isn’t cooled and it’s in Hawaii, so there are warmth and dampness. This article is disturbing to me. I’m interested in the off chance that anybody has any leads on sports bras that offer help and wicking material.

    Reply
  5. Vicky

    September 7, 2019 at 4:29 AM

    I’m small busted and uneven. I gave up on regular bras years ago. I couldn’t find sizes small enough with any support. They fit on one side and not the other which causes one strap to pull more than the other, etc. Also, they have to be washed specially to make them last longer. I only wear cotton sports bras with cotton straps, without adjustable straps and no wires. They are rather plain, but I haven’t found anything else that is comfortable enough to get through the days and I can throw them in the washer and dryer with everything else.

    Reply
  6. Cheryl

    September 4, 2019 at 12:40 PM

    My sister was wearing a bra with an underwire in it while mowing the grass and it pushed out of the bra and into her breast tissue. She developed inflammatory breast cancer and eventually died of the disease. Needless to say, I don’t believe a word from Komen or the ACS. I only wear supportive sports bras now. I’m not coming close to taking the chance.

    Reply
    • Morgan

      September 26, 2019 at 11:26 PM

      Cheryl, thank you for sharing. I’m so sorry to hear about your sister. What a horrifying story. It’s really shocking what people will choose to not believe when things like this happen.

      Reply
  7. Sheryl

    September 4, 2019 at 12:33 PM

    I like the custom bras made by Decent Exposures. You can chose organic material if you like, and customer service representatives will help you find the bra that is best for you.

    Reply
  8. Iris

    September 4, 2019 at 11:28 AM

    When I go to a site that labels everything except sports bras as bralettes, I’m in the wrong place.

    I’m old school – bras belong under ones clothing, not peeking out at the neck, shoulder, or under the arm, unless you’re wearing a sports bra and actually doing an athletic activity. And I’m seriously opposed to headlights. I like my underwires – nothing else seems to stay where it is supposed to. I have never slept in a bra, except for a short time when I broke my arm and was sleeping in a recliner, because changing clothing was just too much trouble and too painful.

    I do go braless at home when I’m in for the day, and at night. If you want to go braless during the day, you really have to think about the clothing you’re going to wear, whether it is going to irritate you by rubbing your nipples, or is too sheer or too thin and clingy. Sometimes a cami is all it takes to both make that more comfortable, and address the workplace complaints someone cited.

    Reply
  9. Mokshana

    September 3, 2019 at 5:51 PM

    Hi Katie & the WM community!

    I liberated myself from all of my underwire bras along with anything that had a lining after having kids and have never looked back!

    My current favorites are from Pact (organic cotton) wearpact.com and from Boody eco clothing (made from bamboo) boodywear.com

    Reply
  10. Brigid

    September 3, 2019 at 6:45 AM

    R/abrathatfits on Reddit helped me find the right size. I’m one of those with a small rib cage and large cup size. The Fantasie Rebecca space foam bra is my best option though not organic nor cotton.

    Decent Exposures in Seattle lets you order custom, organic bras online. Very nice, $60ish, my mom has one.

    Reply
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