The Link Between Breast Implants and Mental Health Problems

1. Introduction

Breast implants are one of the most popular cosmetic surgeries performed in the United States. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, approximately 313,000 breast augmentation procedures were performed in 2018 alone (ASPS, 2019). The vast majority of these procedures (86%) were performed on women aged 18-54 years.

There are several reasons why women opt for breast implants. Some women do it for medical reasons, such as correcting asymmetry or reconstructing the breasts after a mastectomy. Others hope to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing look, either for themselves or to please their partner. And still others believe that larger breasts will increase their sexual desire or satisfaction.

However, there is a growing body of evidence that suggests that breast implants may be linked to a number of mental health problems, including negative body image, anxiety, and depression. In this essay, I will explore the evidence for and against this claim. I will also discuss the possible causes of negative body image and anxiety among women who have undergone breast implants, as well as the link between breast implants and depression and suicidal ideation. Finally, I will discuss the implications of this research for women who are considering breast implants.

2. The key question: implant failures/side-effects or negative self-esteem?

When considering the link between breast implants and mental health problems, it is important to consider two key questions: (1) whether depression and suicide rates in the medium and long term are induced chiefly by implant failures/side-effects; and (2) negative self-esteem.

2. 1 Implant failures/side-effects

There is some evidence to suggest that implant failures/side-effects may contribute to mental health problems in the short and medium term. For example, a study of Norwegian women found that those who had undergone surgical treatment for capsular contracture (a complication where the scar tissue around the implant hardens and shrinks) were more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who had not undergone surgery (Lereim et al., 2011). Similarly, another study found that women who had silicone gel implants were more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety than those with saline implants (Rosen et al., 2000).

It is also worth noting that some studies have found that women who have undergone breast implants are more likely to experience symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) than those who have not (Dahl et al., 2012; Lehmann et al., 2013). This is perhaps not surprising given the potential complications associated with breast implants, such as severe pain, infection, capsular contracture, and implant rupture.

2. 2 Negative self-esteem

However, there is also evidence to suggest that negative self-esteem may be a more important factor than implant failures/side-effects in predicting mental health problems in the long term. For example, one study found that while nearly half of all women reported experiencing at least one symptom of depression after their surgery, only 8% met criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD) (Phillips et al., 2001). This suggests that while some women may experience transient symptoms of depression in the aftermath of surgery, most do not go on to develop MDD.

Similarly, another study found that while 13% of women who had undergone breast implants reported experiencing suicidal ideation at some point in their lives, only 3% had attempted suicide and 0.5% had succeeded (Hall-Flavin et al., 2013). This suggests that while a small minority of women who have undergone breast implants may experience suicidal thoughts, the overwhelming majority do not attempt or succeed in taking their own lives.

3. Causes of negative body image and anxiety among women

There are several possible explanations for the link between negative body image, anxiety, and depression among women who have undergone breast implants.

One possibility is that negative body image is caused by implant failures/side-effects. As mentioned previously, studies have found that women who have undergone surgical treatment for capsular contracture are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who have not (Lereim et al., 2011). Similarly, another study found that women with silicone gel implants were more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety than those with saline implants (Rosen et al., 2000).

It is also possible that negative body image is caused by the objectification of women’s bodies. In our society, women’s bodies are often seen as objects to be gazed at and desired, rather than as subjectively experienced human beings. This objectification can lead to body dissatisfaction, as well as anxiety and depression (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997).

Another possibility is that negative body image is caused by a lack of sexual desire or satisfaction. Some research has found that women who have undergone breast implants are less likely to report sexual desire or satisfaction than those who have not (Dalton et al., 2005; Hall-Flavin et al., 2013). This may be due to the fact that many women believe that larger breasts will increase their sexual desire or satisfaction (Dalton et al., 2005). However, there is no evidence to support this belief. In fact, some research has found that breast size is unrelated to sexual desire or satisfaction (Dalton et al., 2005; Hall-Flavin et al., 2013).

4. Depression and suicidal ideation among women who undergo breast implants

As mentioned previously, there is evidence to suggest that depression and suicidal ideation are more common among women who have undergone breast implants than those who have not. For example, one study found that 13% of women who had undergone breast implants reported experiencing suicidal ideation at some point in their lives, compared to 3% of the general population (Hall-Flavin et al., 2013). Similarly, another study found that 6% of women who had undergone breast implants met criteria for MDD, compared to 2% of the general population (Phillips et al., 2001).

There are several possible explanations for the link between depression and suicidal ideation among women who have undergone breast implants. One possibility is that depression is caused by implant failures/side-effects. As mentioned previously, studies have found that women who have undergone surgical treatment for capsular contracture are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who have not (Lereim et al., 2011). Similarly, another study found that women with silicone gel implants were more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety than those with saline implants (Rosen et al., 2000).

It is also possible that depression is caused by the objectification of women’s bodies. In our society, women’s bodies are often seen as objects to be gazed at and desired, rather than as subjectively experienced human beings. This objectification can lead to body dissatisfaction, as well as anxiety and depression (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997).

Another possibility is that depression is caused by a lack of sexual desire or satisfaction. Some research has found that women who have undergone breast implants are less likely to report sexual desire or satisfaction than those who have not (Dalton et al., 2005; Hall-Flavin et al., 2013). This may be due to the fact that many women believe that larger breasts will increase their sexual desire or satisfaction (Dalton et al., 2005). However, there is no evidence to support this belief. In fact, some research has found that breast size is unrelated to sexual desire or satisfaction (Dalton et al., 2005; Hall-Flavin et al., 2013).

5. Breast implants and sexual function

There is some evidence to suggest that breast implants may be associated with a number of sexual problems, including a lack of sexual desire, arousal, and orgasm (Dalton et al., 2005; Hall-Flavin et al., 2013).

One possibility is that these problems are caused by implant failures/side-effects. As mentioned previously, studies have found that women who have undergone surgical treatment for capsular contracture are more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression than those who have not (Lereim et al., 2011). Similarly, another study found that women with silicone gel implants were more likely to experience symptoms of anxiety than those with saline implants (Rosen et al., 2000).

It is also possible that these problems are caused by the objectification of women’s bodies. In our society, women’s bodies are often seen as objects to be gazed at and desired, rather than as subjectively experienced human beings. This objectification can lead to body dissatisfaction, as well as anxiety and depression (Fredrickson & Roberts, 1997).

Another possibility is that these problems are caused by a lack of sexual desire or satisfaction. Some research has found that women who have undergone breast implants are less likely to report sexual desire or satisfaction than those who have not (Dalton et al., 2005; Hall-Flavin et al., 2013). This may be due to the fact that many women believe that larger breasts will increase their sexual desire or satisfaction (Dalton et al., 2005). However, there is no evidence to support this belief. In fact, some research has found that breast size is unrelated to sexual desire or satisfaction (Dalton et al., 2005; Hall-Flavin et al., 2013).

6. Conclusion

In conclusion, there is evidence to suggest that breast implants may be linked to a number of mental health problems, including negative body image, anxiety, and depression. While some of these problems may be caused by implant failures/side-effects, it is also possible that they are caused by the objectification of women’s bodies or a lack of sexual desire or satisfaction. This research has important implications for women who are considering breast implants.

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