Does your child or teenager have (or do you think they have) Poland Syndrome? If you're reading this, chances are you're on a journey that's unique to you and your child. Parenthood is already a rollercoaster; throw in a condition like Poland Syndrome, and it can feel like you're navigating uncharted territory. We want you to know you're not alone in this. We receive messages almost daily on this very topic, so we thought it would be helpful to share some basic information for all of you who need a place to start.
What is Poland Syndrome?
First things first, let's talk about Poland Syndrome. It's a congenital condition that can affect the development of chest muscles, often leading to asymmetry in the chest area, as it only affects one side of the body. While the physical aspects of Poland Syndrome are visible, it's often the emotional and psychological impact that requires a bit more attention, especially during those delicate pre-teen and teenage years. You can find a more in depth delve into Poland Syndrome itself in our blog post "Do you have breast asymmetry? You could have Poland Syndrome" written by Kira Aspland from Team Evenly who has Poland Syndrome herself.
How do you get a diagnosis for Poland Syndrome?
Some health professionals can dismiss or mis-diagnose Poland Syndrome as normal side effects of puberty and breast development; often because asymmetry is very normal, especially during puberty. In addition to this, Poland Syndrome is relatively rare, so they may not have encountered it before. If you suspect your child/teen has Poland Syndrome (PS), take your researched information with you and present this to the GP, asking to be referred to a geneticist. This is because despite PS not being a genetic condition, a geneticist is best placed to give a diagnosis and rule out other potential causes. Reaching out to organisations such as PIP-UK.org can help you prepare for how to make the most of your GP appointment to get a diagnosis.
Diagnosis can be a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, finally having a name for what your teenager is going through can bring a sense of relief. On the other hand, it can also stir up a whirlwind of questions and concerns about what the future may hold. Try to remember at this point that a diagnosis doesn't define your child – it's just one piece of the puzzle.
What support is available for people with Poland Syndrome?
Now that you know what’s causing your child’s breast asymmetry, where do you go from here? The first tip we have is to talk about it with your teen as much as possible and help them understand that the reason they don’t see lots of uneven breasts in photos and TV is absolutely not because it’s unusual or unnatural - in fact, most breasts are uneven for varying reasons. The lack of representation is a symptom of our society’s questionable media standards, combined with the fact that many women’s* health issues are still considered taboo (we’re talking blue liquid in period product advert vibes)! Introduce your teen to Social Media accounts such as @beccabutcherx, @alivingvenus, @weareevenly read our Balanced Blog posts and reach out to people who know their stuff for advice and practical support.
That's where organisations like PIP-UK come in. They are a fantastic resource for advice, support, and connecting with others who are on a similar journey. Whether you're seeking information about treatment options, looking for ways to support your teenager's emotional wellbeing, or simply need a shoulder to lean on, PIP-UK is there to help.
For peer to peer support, you can join our free breast asymmetry support group on Facebook, called The Uneven Titty Committee, where people share tips, stories and support about all things related to uneven breasts. Parent's of daughters who are struggling with uneven breasts are very welcome and are in good company.
As a young person, looking different can be a source of embarrassment, worry, frustration, discomfort or even shame. You can also reach out to our Evenly recommended bra fitters and stockists if you require a bra fitting from someone who is not only well versed in bras, but also in supporting uneven boobs with Evenly bra inserts.
What products are available for Poland Syndrome?
At Evenly, we regularly receive emails and messages from mums and teens about how best to disguise the appearance of asymmetry. Many teens use makeshift filling or stuffing in their bras, and whilst this might be adequate on a basic level, this doesn’t make them feel great about their condition, and also does not support the physical weight imbalance to alleviate stress and discomfort from wearing an unbalanced bra.
Having a good quality, non surgical, discreet solution can make your teen feel seen as well as addressing their asymmetry symptoms. Evenly Bra Balancers and Subtle Shapers were created specifically to balance out breast asymmetry, and since launching our first ever product for breast asymmetry we’ve seen first hand how much comfort and reassurance it brings, having a product made especially to meet your needs.
Some bra brands can work really well for Poland syndrome, such as Royce Lingerie which has some great wire-free options for teens and those with a fuller cup and many styles have pockets which are perfect for popping a Bra Balancer inside. Get 10% off all Royce full-price bras with code EVENLY10.
How do I start a conversation with my child about their Poland Syndrome?
Every teen’s experience with Poland Syndrome is going to be different. Some may embrace their uniqueness with confidence, while others may struggle with self-esteem issues. As parents, we can’t shield them from what is happening, but instead we can focus on providing all the love and support your child needs and make things as comfortable as possible, both physically and in terms of support. In a society that focuses so heavily on outward appearance, it’s not easy, but there are products, solutions and support out there to make things a little more manageable.
Having open and honest conversations with your teenager about Poland Syndrome can foster a sense of empowerment and resilience. Utilise the PIP-UK resources and follow Poland Syndrome influencers such as Becca Butcher, using her videos to start a conversation about the topics she is covering. Encourage your teen to embrace their individuality and to never be ashamed of who they are, because by working on this, together we create a world where differences are celebrated rather than shunned. At Evenly one of the most common things we hear is how people didn’t realise that asymmetry was even a ‘thing’, and people have gone years thinking they are the only ones with this issue. This is often compounded by the lack of information and imagery showcasing naturally uneven bodies. The more we talk, the less uncommon it will become. If you find more resources we haven’t already mentioned, please get in touch and we will add them into this post to help keep it as up to date as possible.
So, to all the mums and dads out there navigating parenthood with Poland Syndrome in the mix, we salute you. Remember, you're doing an amazing job, and your love and support mean everything to your teenager. One conversation at a time we help break the taboo around breast asymmetry and pave the way for a generation of boob-positive people!
*We use the term Women’s health here as an umbrella term, whilst acknowledging the non-binary and trans community who are also affected by Poland Syndrome.
If you have Poland Syndrome and would like to join us in the fight to #BreakTheTaboob, please contact us, we’d love to hear from you! ❤️
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