Breasts, the girls, tits, milk shakes – and the rest of the 262 monikers we have for boobs – show that we can never quite seem to stop talking about them. However, despite our undying obsession with boobs, it seems like our knowledge of them doesn’t extend beyond size {link breastguess} and shape. So, let’s get more intimate with our breast friends with these 9 things you probably didn’t know about boobs.
1. Breast orgasms are real
Talk about the breast sex ever – some women can indeed orgasm through nipple stimulation. According to a study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine, nipple-play activates the same pleasure centres of the brain as does clitoral and vaginal stimulation. And apparently, nipples count as an erogenous zone for men too.
2. The majority of women have asymmetric breasts.
Yes, everyone, include J Law has some degree of boob asymmetry. One boob may be larger/saggier/perkier than the other. According to a study from the International Journal of Clothing Science and Technology, the right breast is on average larger than the left.
3. The average pair of boobs weighs as much as 2 gallons of paint.
That’s exactly why bras and bra sizes are so complex.
The bra is designed to support breasts ranging from just over half a pound (0.3 kg) to 20 pounds (9 kg), which is roughly the same as 2 gallons of paint. Talk about heavy stuff…
4. The poorer you are, the bigger the boobs you like.
Take this with a grain of salt, but according to a study in Psychology Today) men with “resource insecurity” preferred bigger breasts, while men from a higher socioeconomic background veered towards a smaller pair. Reason? Researchers said that large boobs were a “signal of fat reserves, which in turn advertises access to resources.”}
5. Boobs attract eyeballs, regardless of sex and sexual orientation.
A study fitted both men and women with an eye-tracking device and observed that both genders tended to look at a woman’s breasts first, rather than her eyes or face. Obviously, men stare for longer.
6. There are 20 classifications of nipples.
Are yours normal, flat, puffy or inverted? Multiply that by three grades of inversion and unilateral.
7. 3% of people have a 3rd nipple.
It’s a condition called polythelia and poses zero harm. Often mistaken for a mole, it can go unnoticed for a while. For those not born with a supernumary nipple, the closest thing you can get to a 3rd breast is a prosthesis. By the way, the triple-breasted woman circulating around a while ago is fake.
8. If you don’t want your boobs to sag, don’t smoke…nor get pregnant
Elastin is a structural protein in the skin responsible for elasticity and strength. Both chronic smoking and repeated pregnancies can break down this protein according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
9. You can get a real university degree in bras.
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has a department dedicated to the research and development of bras. The course is called "Intimate Textiles and Accessories" and features a "bra surgery" lab component! How fun is that? Funded by the manufacturer Top Form, this department also hosts yearly fashion shows run top its top graduates. You might have caught us there in 2015 ;)