{"id":20950,"date":"2022-07-01T09:23:41","date_gmt":"2022-07-01T16:23:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/?p=20950"},"modified":"2023-09-08T08:17:14","modified_gmt":"2023-09-08T15:17:14","slug":"can-underwire-bras-cause-pain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/?p=20950","title":{"rendered":"Can Underwire Bras Cause Pain?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>As a teenager, you might have been told there are two main types of bras to pick from: an underwire bra or a wireless bra. The classic choice of underwire in bras never really goes out of style and has been used for decades. Underwire bras are a popular item among bra wearers so this then leads me to the need to answer the question: can underwire bras cause pain?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can Underwire Bras Cause Pain?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>If you are wearing a good quality underwire bra that is the right size for you, underwire bras should not cause you pain. Even though there is wiring in the bra, it should not hurt or make you feel uncomfortable.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-02-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Black underwired bra with a front clasp and denim jeans are worn by a woman leaning on a table\" class=\"wp-image-29853\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-02-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-02-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-02-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-02-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-02-scaled.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, if you are wearing an underwire bra that is the wrong size or is of poor quality, then it might cause you pain and discomfort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Comfort of Good-Fitting Underwire Bras<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Underwire in bras developed mainly to provide lift and support. It provides structure to the bra\u2019s support by taking the weight of the breasts and distributing it evenly along the underwire and bra cup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"788\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/thebetterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-001-788x1200.jpg\" alt=\"Graphic image of a blue bra that shows that underwire bras should offer extra support, sewn in wire and defines breast silhouette\" class=\"wp-image-27767\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/thebetterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-001-788x1200.jpg 788w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/thebetterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-001-197x300.jpg 197w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/thebetterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-001-768x1169.jpg 768w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/thebetterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-001-1009x1536.jpg 1009w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/10\/thebetterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-001.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 788px) 100vw, 788px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A good underwired bra is one with a wide back and side that goes higher between the cups to fit the whole bust snugly without feeling too tight when worn. It should provide support and comfort to your breasts, and the underwire shouldn\u2019t dig into your skin or poke into your breasts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A good-fitting bra shouldn\u2019t cause pain to someone wearing it. It shouldn\u2019t hurt or make you feel uncomfortable when worn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Avoid Pain From Underwire Bras<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you do feel pain from wearing an <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/most-comfortable-underwire-bra\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">underwire bra<\/a>, you can reduce this by finding the right cup size and fit for you. When you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/myhealth.alberta.ca\/Alberta\/Pages\/Breast-pain-fitting-your-bra.aspx\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">choosing the right bra for you<\/a>, take note of these tips:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bra should feel comfortable<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The bra doesn\u2019t slide up in front and back when you\u2019re moving or raising your hand<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The shoulder straps fit comfortably and won\u2019t dig into the skin and are not too tight-fitting<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your nipple line is found at the midline between your shoulder and your elbow<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your breasts don\u2019t feel squished and bulging out of the bra cups or into your underarms<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The bra underwire doesn\u2019t feel like digging into your skin as it lies flat against the chest<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Your fingers can be easily put under the band<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The center of your bra fits close to the center of your chest at the breastbone<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Your Underwired Bra Bad for You?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When you\u2019re wearing an ill-fitting underwired bra, that\u2019s when you\u2019ll experience breast pain (mastalgia) and discomfort. How do you know if your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/women\/ss\/slideshow-signs-wearing-the-wrong-bra\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">underwired bra isn\u2019t a good fit for you<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You Experience Back and Neck Discomfort<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Although this is subject to debate among experts, it may be said that a bad-fitting underwired bra can potentially cause posture and pain problems. This is especially for people with large breasts.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-01-1200x800.jpg\" alt=\"Woman in a white underwire bra with lace and front clasp wearing green shorts standing near a glass door\" class=\"wp-image-29852\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-01-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-01-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-01-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-01-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-01-2048x1365.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/betterfit-can-underwire-bras-cause-pain-01-scaled.jpg 1801w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your Breasts Hurt<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a tell-tale sign that you\u2019re obviously wearing a smaller size for you. <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/what-is-the-smallest-bra-size\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">A smaller bra cup<\/a> will squish your breasts and may cause it to spill outside the bra such as in your armpits. The underwire can also poke your breast or underarm skin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your nipples may also hurt when the underwire bra is smaller than your size. The bra wire and cup may squeeze your breasts and your nipples in it, causing you pain. The rubbing between the nipples and the bra can also leave your nipples irritated or chafed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\">You See Stretch Marks or Grooves on Your Skin<\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>When you wear a bra that\u2019s too loose, your breasts may sag over time and produce stretch marks. Meanwhile, when you wear an underwire bra that\u2019s too small for you, the wires may leave marks or grooves on your skin, especially under your arms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Long Does an Underwire Bra Last?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Like any other clothes, an underwire bra is prone to wear and tear especially after months of use. If you use the same bra frequently, check if there\u2019s any sign of usage. You may see the underwires pop out of their casing or get bent and broken.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Any break in the bra may also bring pain to your breast. If this happens, it\u2019s time to replace your underwire bra with a new one.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can Underwire Bras Cause Cancer?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>There\u2019s <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.breastcancer.org\/risk\/risk-factors\/antiperspirants-bras?fbclid=IwAR027X_5h7YUaCwtQsUSYE-AqEDn79dnk5FWi-oFETdBEl7WGeoOMv-gy4k\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\"><strong>little to no evidence<\/strong><\/a><strong> that wearing underwire bras can cause breast cancer later in life. It\u2019s not true that the underwire can block the drainage of lymphatic fluids from the breasts, causing it to build up and not get back into the body. This is a <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/bra-myths\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">myth that doesn\u2019t have scientific evidence<\/a> to back it up.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can I Wear Underwire Bras After Breast Surgery?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Talk to your doctor before getting back to wearing underwire bras or any kind of bra after your breast surgery. Since the underwire may affect the healing surgery scars, it may be best to give it time before using underwire bras again.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"lyte-wrapper\" title=\"Wired vs Wireless Bra: When To Have and Wear Each Type of Bra\" style=\"width:853px;max-width:100%;margin:5px auto;\"><div class=\"lyMe\" id=\"WYL_rQkvJHIhKxU\" itemprop=\"video\" itemscope itemtype=\"https:\/\/schema.org\/VideoObject\"><div><meta itemprop=\"thumbnailUrl\" content=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FrQkvJHIhKxU%2Fhqdefault.jpg\" \/><meta itemprop=\"embedURL\" content=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/rQkvJHIhKxU\" \/><meta itemprop=\"duration\" content=\"PT12M51S\" \/><meta itemprop=\"uploadDate\" content=\"2022-08-18T22:50:32Z\" \/><\/div><div id=\"lyte_rQkvJHIhKxU\" data-src=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FrQkvJHIhKxU%2Fhqdefault.jpg\" class=\"pL\"><div class=\"tC\"><div class=\"tT\" itemprop=\"name\">Wired vs Wireless Bra: When To Have and Wear Each Type of Bra<\/div><\/div><div class=\"play\"><\/div><div class=\"ctrl\"><div class=\"Lctrl\"><\/div><div class=\"Rctrl\"><\/div><\/div><\/div><noscript><a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/rQkvJHIhKxU\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/wp-youtube-lyte\/lyteCache.php?origThumbUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ytimg.com%2Fvi%2FrQkvJHIhKxU%2F0.jpg\" alt=\"Wired vs Wireless Bra: When To Have and Wear Each Type of Bra\" width=\"853\" height=\"460\" \/><br \/>Watch this video on YouTube<\/a><\/noscript><meta itemprop=\"description\" content=\"An underwire bras features a sturdy metal or plastic wire that frames the bottom half of each cup. By contrast, a no wire bra (sometimes referred to as a soft cup, wireless, wire free, or no underwire bra) does not feature the sewn-in wiring and will not have the same sturdy \u201clifting\u201d capabilities. Resources: - https:\/\/thebetterfit.com\/underwire-bra-vs-no-underwire\/ - https:\/\/thebetterfit.com\/can-underwire-bras-cause-pain\/ - https:\/\/thebetterfit.com\/most-comfortable-underwire-bra\/ - https:\/\/thebetterfit.com\/freya-fancies-underwire-longline-bra\/ - https:\/\/thebetterfit.com\/anita-maternity-microfiber-underwire-nursing-bra\/ - https:\/\/thebetterfit.com\/syrokan-max-control-underwire-sports-bra\/ Learn about The Better Fit: https:\/\/thebetterfit.com\/about\/ Had enough of ill-fitted bras that pinch, slip, or chafe? Not any more! Get your accurate bra size at home without going to a lingerie shop. Enter your measurements here &amp; our calculator will find the rest: https:\/\/thebetterfit.com\/bra-size-calculator\/\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"lL\" style=\"max-width:100%;width:853px;margin:5px auto;\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>A <a href=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/how-should-bra-fit\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">good underwire bra fit<\/a> shouldn\u2019t cause pain and feel uncomfortable to wear. While it\u2019s still a matter of preference or breast size if you choose an underwire bra as your undergarment, it\u2019s important to know that a good bra will make you feel comfortable at your best.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As a teenager, you might have been told there are two main types of bras to pick from: an underwire bra or a wireless bra. The classic choice of underwire in bras never really goes out of style and has &#8230; <\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more-container\"><a title=\"Can Underwire Bras Cause Pain?\" class=\"read-more button\" href=\"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/?p=20950#more-20950\" aria-label=\"Read more about Can Underwire Bras Cause Pain?\">Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":29853,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-20950","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-articles","generate-columns","tablet-grid-50","mobile-grid-100","grid-parent","grid-50"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20950","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=20950"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20950\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":34904,"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/20950\/revisions\/34904"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/29853"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=20950"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=20950"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.thebetterfit.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=20950"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}