It has been nearly four years since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted approval for the first Covid-19 vaccine. Significant emphasis has been placed on vaccination, as it plays a crucial role in safeguarding individuals from severe Covid-19 illness and potential mortality associated with the respiratory disease. The World Health Organization has affirmed the safety of these vaccines; however, recipients may encounter mild side effects post-vaccination. Common side effects include fever, fatigue, and headaches. A recent study has suggested that an increase in breast size may also be a potential side effect. Specifically, the study reported that a teenager's breast size increased from a B cup to a triple G cup within six months following the administration of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine.

Common side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine

Vaccines are designed to confer immunity without exposing individuals to the risks associated with the disease itself. Recipients of the Covid-19 vaccine may experience mild to moderate side effects, which indicate that the body is developing protection against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, as noted by the World Health Organization.

Common Covid-19 vaccine side effects include:

• Pain where you got the injection
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Headache
• Muscle pain
• Chills
• Diarrhea

Covid-19 vaccine side effects: Can breast size increase?

A study published in 2024 in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery-Global Open indicates that, although not commonly recognized as a side effect, breast size may increase following vaccination. The case involved a healthy 19-year-old woman who observed a notable increase in breast size one week after receiving the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine, with further enlargement occurring after her second dose. Initially a B cup, her breasts expanded to a triple G cup within six months.

Researchers have referred to this occurrence as the “Pfizer boob job” phenomenon, as some women have reported similar increases in breast size post-vaccination. However, there is currently no scientific evidence supporting rapid breast growth as a side effect of the Covid-19 vaccine.

The young woman in the study was diagnosed with Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia (PASH), a rare condition that can lead to significant breast enlargement. The findings suggested a temporal relationship between the vaccination and the development of PASH-related gigantomastia.

After six months, the woman's breast growth ceased, and she chose to undergo breast reduction surgery five months later, according to the researchers. She currently has double D breasts and may consider further reduction surgery to achieve her desired size.

What is PASH?

Pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia, commonly referred to as PASH, is a non-cancerous condition of the breast characterized by the proliferation of myofibroblastic cells within the breast stroma, resulting in the formation of dense tissue. It is thought that hormonal factors, particularly those related to progesterone, contribute to the onset of PASH.

In rare cases, PASH may lead to significant and rapid breast enlargement, a phenomenon known as gigantomastia. A study conducted in 2011 and published in the International Journal of Surgery indicated that the majority of individuals diagnosed with PASH were in their late 30s and 40s.

What are the symptoms of PASH-associated gigantomastia?

Symptoms of PASH-associated gigantomastia include:

• Rapid and disproportionate enlargement of one or both breasts
• Breast pain or tenderness due to the rapid tissue expansion
• Physical discomfort, including back, neck, and shoulder pain from the increased breast weight
• Skin changes such as stretching, redness, or ulceration due to the rapid growth

How is PASH-associated gigantomastia treated?

The treatment options for PASH-associated gigantomastia include:

• In cases where the condition is asymptomatic and not progressing, regular monitoring with clinical breast exams and imaging studies may be sufficient.
• Hormonal therapies may be considered to manage symptoms, although their efficacy is not well established.
• For significant breast enlargement causing physical or psychological distress, surgical options such as breast reduction or mastectomy may be necessary.

Is increased breast size one of the Covid-19 vaccine side effects?

Significant breast enlargement is not recognized as a side effect of the Covid-19 vaccine. While transient axillary lymphadenopathy, characterized by swelling of the lymph nodes under the arm, may occur following vaccination and can create a temporary impression of breast swelling, substantial or permanent changes in breast size are exceedingly uncommon.

The recent study is notable as it represents the first documented case linking PASH-associated gigantomastia to a vaccination. However, the relationship between the Covid-19 vaccine and PASH-associated gigantomastia remains poorly understood. The case reported indicates a temporal association, yet causation has not been definitively established. Although abnormal breast growth is not typically listed among the side effects of the Covid-19 vaccine, further research is essential to ascertain whether a direct connection exists between the vaccine and the onset of this condition.

Summary  

Rapid breast growth is not among the common side effects associated with the Covid-19 vaccine, which typically includes symptoms such as fever and localized pain at the injection site. Nevertheless, the recent study involving a teenager who experienced rapid breast growth post-vaccination highlights the need for additional research. Further investigations into PASH, a benign breast condition, and its potential link to gigantomastia and Covid-19 vaccination are necessary to confirm that an increase in breast size is not a side effect of the vaccine.

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