A study conducted by researchers at Wake Forest University School of Medicine has found that women with enlarged breast tissue, medically known as macromastia, may be at a higher risk for chronic migraines, neck pain, certain spinal nerve disorders, and obstructive sleep apnea. The research was published on Tuesday in the journal Headache.
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The study analyzed electronic health records from 687 women treated at headache and neurology clinics affiliated with Stanford Medical Center between 2017 and 2024. Among these, 347 women had been diagnosed with macromastia, while 340 did not. After adjusting for factors such as age, body mass index, depression, and anxiety, the study revealed that women with macromastia were 40% more likely to suffer from chronic migraines, twice as likely to experience neck pain, 50% more likely to have obstructive sleep apnea, and more than twice as likely to have cervical radiculopathy compared to their counterparts without the condition.
Kristyn Pocock, M.D., an assistant professor of neurology at Wake Forest and the study's lead author, noted that many perceive enlarged breast tissue primarily as a cosmetic issue. However, the findings indicate it may be tied to a broader array of women's health concerns, prompting a need for more comprehensive evaluations and care.
Patients often report headaches, neck and back pain, and shoulder discomfort due to macromastia, and some seek breast reduction surgery for relief. Although headaches are acknowledged by insurers as a symptom related to the condition, the link between macromastia and specific headache disorders remains understudied.
The researchers further explored factors that lead women with macromastia to consider breast reduction surgery, finding that neck pain was the only condition significantly associated with a higher likelihood of the procedure.
While the study identified important associations, the researchers emphasized the need for further investigations to understand the mechanisms by which macromastia impacts conditions like migraines and sleep apnea. They noted that the findings stemmed from a review of medical records at a single point in time, suggesting that future studies could elucidate how treating macromastia might alleviate symptoms.
Pocock expressed the importance of this research, highlighting that it raises critical questions about the implications of enlarged breast tissue on women's health.
The study titled "Patterns of Head and Neck Pain and Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Women with Macromastia: A Cross-Sectional Analysis" was published in the journal Headache (2026). DOI: 10.1111/head.70226.