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(CNN Spanish) -
Is wearing a bra harmful to health?
And not use it?
The myths surrounding the bra run like wildfire on the internet, and can lead us to make the wrong decisions.
On the occasion of
No Bra Day
, which takes place every October 13, we answer some key questions about the benefits and harms of this garment.
The
No Bra Day
, or Day without a bra, is celebrated with the aim of raising awareness about breast cancer, according to the DaysOfTheYear site, coinciding with the month of awareness about this disease. The celebration is not without controversy, but it undoubtedly generates conversation about the need or not to wear a bra, beyond the fact that not wearing it is assumed as a symbol to promote awareness in the fight against the disease.
To talk about this topic, we spoke with Dr. Melissa Pereyra, specialist in Gynecology and Obstetrics from the University of Buenos Aires and author of "V. Science for an intimate geography without myths".
Pereyra, who has her own practice, created an Instagram account called gineconline in 2017 to address gynecological health, especially from the perspective of prevention.
He now has more than 800,000 followers.
Here's a rundown of our conversation around top clothing concerns.
What is the link between bra wear and breast cancer?
None.
"We completely demystify that, because breast pathology goes beyond the use of a bra," Pereyra explains to CNN en Español, adding that just because of having mammary glands, especially after 40, women have the possibility of for a cell to transform and develop breast cancer.
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The American Cancer Society, for its part, states the following in this regard: "Internet rumors and emails and at least one book have suggested that bras cause breast cancer by obstructing lymphatic flow. There is no good scientific basis or clinical evidence for this claim, and a 2014 study of more than 1,500 women found no relationship between bra wear and breast cancer risk. "
(What are the risk factors that do exist? In addition to age, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention point to genetic mutations, having dense breasts and a family history, among others that you can consult here).
Does the bra prevent the breasts from sagging?
No. "It is not that not wearing a bra is going to make my breast fall, nor is it that wearing it is going to make me hold it," Pereyra remarks.
The breasts fall because as age progresses the elastic tissue is lost, he explains, and points out that other factors such as breastfeeding can affect this process.
The Mayo Clinic also lists smoking, being overweight, losing a large amount of weight, and having large breasts as contributing factors.
What should I watch out for if I have breast pain?
"The fact of wearing a bra or not will not harm the health of the breast," Pereyra remarks, but in cases where there is breast pain, for example due to breast dysplasia (a benign pathology that can have different causes), yes it is important to consider which bra you are wearing.
"There we health professionals started to talk (about) what type of underwear and bra they use because it could favor pain and discomfort in these women. But not because it aggravates or causes the pathology," he explains.
"That is where we recommend that you use a bodice that is of the appropriate size, that does not have underwires, that supports, but does not squeeze or hurt," he exemplifies.
What is the best bra?
Bra choice is very personal.
The important thing is that "it is a bra that supports, does not tighten and does not hurt," explains Pereyra.
The choice of size is essential.
Regarding the materials, Pereyra maintains that those made of cotton are the most recommended, and that if synthetic fabrics that do not absorb perspiration are going to be used, it is desirable that it is not a daily use.
As for the earrings, "the only contraindication is that it is not broken because that can hurt and sometimes produces allergic reactions" in case it is made of metal.
Should you wear a night bra?
"The recommendation in health is that at night they sleep without a bra. But not because that could cause me some disease. It is also a matter of resting the body," explains Pereyra, emphasizing the skin, contact with the fabric and perspiration, among other factors.
However, there are women who prefer to wear a bra because the friction of the sheets generates a lot of sensitivity, among other causes, and in those cases it is important that they know that "it is not that that is why they are going to have any pathology in the future."
It does recommend, in these cases, to opt for cotton, materials that are not synthetic, without rings and without any element that could damage the skin.
Being without a soutien does improve circulation, he explains.
Is there a recommended minimum age to start wearing a bra?
"The use of the bra is very cultural," explains Pereyra. Since breast development begins, there is no right or wrong age, so his recommendation is to take into account when the girl feels uncomfortable and has the need (if at all). "When breast development begins, the girl goes from a flat chest to having a breast button that protrudes from the shirt and then the glands grow. From there, tops can be used," he explains. At that stage it is recommended to avoid the rings "to be consistent with breast development", a stage where the breasts also begin to hurt.
The breast button in general terms begins to develop around the age of 9, so from that age bras can be used.
"It has no contraindication at the health level, especially so that the baby also undergoes this change of body in the most harmonious and calm way," he explains.
Does it help prevent back pain?
When the breasts are very large, that can affect posture, explains Pereyra, so in those cases the use of a bra that supports loosely can be beneficial.
The same happens while exercising.
In this regard, a publication from Harvard University maintains that "wearing a bra can reduce tension on Cooper's suspensory ligaments and reduce back pain."
In addition, it affirms that "the support of the breasts with the bra reduces the risk of damaging the fatty tissue of the breasts associated with vigorous physical activity".
What should I watch out for if I am breastfeeding?
During breastfeeding, you have to pay special attention to the issue of the bra.
"If you wear underwired bodices or with a wrong fit or size, you can produce mastitits there," explains Pereyra.
In addition, "if my breasts are full of milk and something that squeezes me and on top I have a ring, this can affect that milk circulation".
For these reasons there are special bras for breastfeeding.
How often should the bra be washed?
It is not an exact science, explains the Cleveland Clinic, but according to an expert dermatologist you should wash every two or three uses as a general rule.
The difficulty, in any case, lies in defining "use".
"A few hours in a bra and minimal sweating might not count as a full 'wear'," says dermatologist Dr. Vij.
"But a few hours with a lot of sweating could count as a double or triple use," he explains.
If I have doubts about wearing the bra or not, what should I do?
It's a very personal choice, says Pereyra.
Considering the caveats mentioned above, there is no right and wrong decision.
It is about each woman evaluating "how she feels comfortable on a day-to-day basis with her breasts, with the touch of her clothes, with how her clothes fit, how others see them."
In other words, it depends on "how she deals with that relationship with her body and on a cultural level."
Because it is largely a cultural issue.
