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Women with enlarged breast tissue may face health effects beyond the back, shoulder, and neck discomfort commonly associated with the condition.
A new study by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine found that women with macromastia, the medical term for enlarged breast tissue, were significantly more likely to have chronic migraine, neck pain, obstructive sleep apnea and cervical radiculopathy than women without the condition.
The findings, published in Headache, suggest macromastia may be associated with a broader range of neurological and sleep-related conditions, giving nurses and other clinicians another factor to consider when evaluating women with persistent symptoms.
Researchers examined electronic health records from 687 women treated between 2017 and 2024 at headache and neurology clinics affiliated with Stanford Medical Center. The study included 347 women diagnosed with macromastia and 340 women without the condition.
After accounting for factors including age, body mass index, depression, and anxiety, researchers found that women with macromastia were about 40% more likely to have chronic migraine and approximately 50% more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea. They were also twice as likely to experience neck pain and more than twice as likely to have cervical radiculopathy, a condition caused by irritation or compression of nerves in the neck.
“Many people think of enlarged breast tissue primarily as a cosmetic issue, but our findings suggest it may be associated with a broader range of women’s health concerns, including chronic migraine, neck pain and sleep-related breathing disorders,” said Kristyn Pocock, M.D., assistant professor of neurology at Wake Forest University School of Medicine and lead author of the study. “By better understanding these connections, we can help ensure women receive more comprehensive evaluations and care for symptoms that may affect their daily lives.”
Why the Findings Matter for Nurses
Patients with macromastia often report headaches, neck and back pain, and shoulder discomfort, and some seek breast reduction surgery to relieve their symptoms.
But researchers noted that relatively little is known about the relationship between enlarged breast tissue and specific headache disorders and other neurological conditions. Although insurers often recognize headaches as a symptom associated with macromastia, the new research specifically identified an association with chronic migraine.
For nurses caring for women in primary care, neurology, sleep medicine and other settings, the findings highlight the value of considering macromastia as part of the broader clinical picture when patients present with persistent headaches, neck pain, neurological symptoms or sleep problems.
The study does not establish that macromastia causes these conditions, and researchers said additional research is needed to understand the relationships.
Could Breast Reduction Affect Symptoms?
Researchers also examined factors associated with breast reduction surgery among women with macromastia. Neck pain was the only condition linked to a significantly greater likelihood of undergoing the procedure.
The study did not determine whether breast reduction surgery improves chronic migraine, obstructive sleep apnea, or cervical radiculopathy.
Because the research was based on a review of existing medical records at a single point in time, additional studies are needed to determine how macromastia might influence these conditions and whether treating it could improve symptoms.
“These findings raise important questions about how enlarged breast tissue may contribute to painful symptoms for women,” Pocock said. “More research is needed to determine whether treating macromastia could help certain women find relief and enhance quality of life.”
