"Believe in Your 'Summer Boobs': 5 Real Reasons Behind the Change and Warning Signs to Watch For"

SWEATY, tired, hot and bothered… the sunny weather can leave us feeling all sorts of symptoms.

But amongst the chaffing thighs and swollen feet, there is one other phenomenon you may not have realised was connected to the heat.

Maya Jama has previously been forced to hit back at trolls who called her boobs “fake” Credit: Instagram/ @mayajama Pictured, Consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon Anushka Chaudhry Credit: Supplied

Doctors have already sounded the – a nickname given when men find their manhood swells in size as the temperature climbs.

They insist, however, that it is only temporary and does not cause any permanent damage.

Now, experts have suggested that feeling like you have larger breasts in the heat, isn’t an illusion.

Anushka Chaudhry, a consultant oncoplastic breast surgeon at specialist breast clinic At The Clinic in Swindon tells Sun Health: “Your breasts really can feel fuller or more swollen in hot .

“But, they are not actually growing.”

Like “summer penis”, there’s no exact temperature for when the phenomenon may occur.

Instead, there are four scientific reasons why heat may cause the change – and one that may indicate it could be a sign of something more serious.

Here, Anushka Chaudhry reveals everything you need to know about what is happening under the surface that explains your .

Blood vessel boost

Kelly Brook has often candidly spoken about her struggles with larger breasts Credit: Getty

When you get hot, blood vessels open up. This lowers your and makes your heart work harder to push blood around the body.

“When you get hot, your body tries to cool itself down by widening your blood vessels, in a process known as vasodilation,” Anushka Chaudhry says.

“This pushes blood closer to the surface of your skin to let heat escape.

“Because breast tissue is highly vascular, this sudden rush of blood can male breasts feel distinctly heavier. It can make them feel warmer and fuller and sometimes more tender.”

Water weight

Fluid retention can also affect fatty tissues of the breasts, Anushka Chaudhry says Credit: Getty

Body parts can feel like they are expanding in the heat because of fluid retention.

Anushka Chaudhry says: “Heat causes tiny blood vessels to become more permeable and increases pressure within them, allowing a small amount of fluid to move into surrounding tissues.

“This is called heat odema or fluid retention.

“While people usually notice this when their fingers swell up and makes rings feel or tight, or when their ankles get puffy, the exact same fluid retention can happen in the soft, fatty tissues of the breasts making them feel heavier or fuller.”

Humidity trap

When the weather gets warmer, many of us adapt our clothing for comfort.

But high humidity and sweat can also cause sports bras and underwires to stick to your skin, trapping heat and creating friction.

“When a bra suddenly feels restrictive, digs in, or leaves deep red marks, it might feel like your breasts have grown a full cup size overnight,” Anushka Chaudhry says.

“In reality, warm, damp skin and increased friction can make bras feel tighter than usual but breast size has changed very little.”

Cycle factor

If nothing else, it might be all down to your usual monthly cycle.

“If you notice your breasts swelling significantly in the , check the calendar,” Dr Chaudhry adds.

“If the happens to coincide with the week before your period, hormonal changes often increase breast tenderness and fluid retention. The hot weather means the effect is just more noticeable.

“Rest assured, once you head into an air-conditioned room, take a cool shower or the weather snaps back to normal, the swelling will go down. If you are consistently uncomfortable during heatwaves, switch to unlined, wireless, or moisture-wicking bras to give your body a bit more breathing room.”

Check for changes

Whilst swelling in hot weather is normal, some symptoms do need to be checked by a doctor.

“If swelling affects only one breast, is persistent, or is accompanied by redness, severe pain, fever, nipple changes or a new lump, it should be assessed by a healthcare professional rather than being assumed to be due to the weather,” Dr Chaudhry says.

Any changes in the breast that are not normal for you should be assessed.