Breast pills and creams: a hoax that carries real health risks

Marketers offering breast enhancement or reduction solutions that promise results equivalent to surgery is an age old scam. 

Over 20 years ago the US FDA warned consumers, and especially teens, that breast enlargement alternatives to surgery were frauds.

"For decades, millions of dollars have been spent on devices, creams and lotions advertised as breast developers. All wasted. There is no device or system of exercise that will increase the size of the breasts. At best, devices promoted as breast developers merely strengthen and develop the muscles that support the breasts, and exercising these muscles will not appreciably increase breast size."

Breast experts agree: breast pills, herbs or creams don't work

"With Alexia, these problems will stop, WITHOUT painful surgery! And Permanently! With smaller and lighter breasts you’ll feel like you're walking on air!" - website advertising Alexia breast reducing pills

Breast reduction pills like Alexia are "a hoax", according to George Beraka, MD, a board-certified plastic surgeon. "Only surgery will make your breasts smaller. Pills don't work," states Beraka.

Michael Edwards, MD (a Las Vegas plastic surgeon) echos Dr. Beraka stating that "there is no pill or potion available that will reliably reduce your breast tissue or enlarge it, for that matter."

Demand for breast surgery alternatives remains strong

At RealSelf.com, we receive numerous questions from consumers asking about the latest breast pills, cream, or lotion.

The Google keyword tool suggests that breast pills and related concepts are searched well over 100,000 times a month.  The top 10 most frequently searched breast enlargement alternative terms (with estimated exact term searches per month on Google):

1. breast enhancement pills (9900)
2. breast enlargement pills (9900)
3. breast enlargement pill (9900)
4. breast enhancer (8100)
5. herbal breast enhancement (5400)
6. breast enhancement pill (3600)
7. breast cream (3600)
8. breast pills (3600)
9. breast enhancement cream (2900)
10. breast enlargement cream (2900)

Worse than a waste of money, a breast pill may increase cancer risk

Breast enlargement pills are unregulated and none are approved by the US FDA.  Thus, taking a pill that promises to be an alternative to breast augmentation surgery can expose a woman to hormones that increase the risk of breast cancer.

"Now days, the risk of breast cancer is 1:8. In the early 1980's it was 1:10, by the 1990's it was 1:9. So why play with it?," points out Dr. Scott Kasden.

Undesirable consequences of hormonal fluctuation

Most pills are creams claim to work by naturally modifying hormones, tricking the body into thinking it is pregnant or going through puberty, says Utah Plastic Surgeon York Yates, MD. "That sounds like an excellent idea, until you realize what consequences that could have. Breast cancer and uterine cancer are associated with elevated levels of estrogens. Mood, stress levels, hair, skin, nail, energy...think of all the things that can change with hormonal fluctuations."

Drug interactions with breast enhancers can present added risks to consumers.

FDA remains on the sidelines

In the US, breast supplement sellers are free to sell their products to consumers without  government regulation (why? it's complicated!). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is supposed to file complaints against companies that make false product claims.

One company that makes breast enlargement pill called Bloussant was required to refund millions of dollars to customers who bought their products based on false advertising.

As reported by the National Research Center, the FTC explained that the company "falsely claimed that Bloussant is clinically proven to increase bust size in the majority of women, and is clinically proven to be safe." Bloussant cost $220 for a two-month supply but there is no evidence that it works. The company can continue to sell their products, but they can no longer make false claims.

With thousands of breast enlargement pill sellers and brands, the FTC is woefully inadequate at protecting consumers.  The best protection is education, so pass the word!

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