You’ve probably seen the viral headlines. Maybe you remember that one girl from a decade ago who claimed she spent twenty grand on plastic surgery to add a third breast just to become a reality TV star. Spoiler: that was a hoax. But the actual question—is it possible to have 3 boobs—isn't just a weird internet urban legend. It’s a real, documented medical condition.
It happens.
In medical circles, this is known as polymastia. It’s not usually what you see in sci-fi movies like Total Recall. It doesn’t often look like three perfectly symmetrical breasts lined up in a row. Usually, it’s much more subtle, often mistaken for a mole or a stubborn patch of armpit fat that just won't go away no matter how many push-ups you do.
What Science Says About Extra Breast Tissue
Humans are mammals. That sounds obvious, right? But it’s the key to understanding why some people end up with extra parts. When an embryo is developing in the womb, there are these things called "milk lines" or mammary ridges. These lines run from your armpits all the way down to your groin. In most people, these ridges wither away everywhere except for two spots on the chest.
Sometimes, they don't.
When those ridges stick around, you get supernumerary tissue. If it’s just an extra nipple, it’s called polythelia. If it’s actual, functional breast tissue, that’s polymastia. It is estimated that anywhere from 2% to 6% of the population has some form of accessory breast tissue, though true polymastia—the kind with a nipple, areola, and mammary glands—is way rarer.
Honestly, most people who have it don't even know it's there until puberty or pregnancy hits. Why? Because that extra tissue responds to hormones. If you get pregnant, that "lump" in your armpit might actually start producing milk. It sounds wild, but it’s a standard biological process. Dr. Susan Love, a renowned breast surgeon and author of The Breast Book, has documented cases where women experience swelling or even lactation from these accessory sites.
Where Does It Usually Show Up?
It isn't always on the chest. Because of those milk lines we talked about, a third breast can appear anywhere along that path. The most common spot is the axilla—the armpit.
People often go to the doctor thinking they have a swollen lymph node or a lipoma. They’re shocked when the biopsy comes back as breast tissue. It can also appear on the abdomen or, in very rare cases, the inner thigh. There was even a case study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery regarding ectopic breast tissue appearing in the vulva. Nature is nothing if not creative with its blueprints.
The Difference Between a Third Breast and an Extra Nipple
We need to be clear about the terminology because people mix these up constantly.
Polythelia is just an extra nipple. Think Mark Wahlberg or Harry Styles. It’s super common. Usually, it looks like a small brown birthmark. You might have one and never realize it isn't a mole. There's no underlying breast tissue, no glands, just the "accessory nipple" on the surface.
Polymastia is the "is it possible to have 3 boobs" answer you’re looking for. This is the presence of an actual mammary gland. It has the plumbing. It can develop cysts. It can get mastitis. It can even, unfortunately, develop breast cancer just like a normal breast. This is why doctors take it seriously. It's not just a cosmetic quirk; it's tissue that needs to be monitored during your annual exams.
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Why Does This Happen?
Genetics play a huge role. If your mom or grandma had an extra nipple or accessory tissue, there’s a decent chance you might too. It’s an evolutionary "hiccup."
During the sixth week of fetal development, those mammary streaks are supposed to regress. When they don't, the cells remain. They stay dormant for years. Then, boom—puberty hits. The surge of estrogen and progesterone tells those cells to grow.
Can You Get It Removed?
Yes. And many people do.
The reasons are usually two-fold: physical discomfort and aesthetics. If the tissue is in the armpit, it can cause significant chafing. It can feel heavy. During menstruation, it can become incredibly tender or painful because it's swelling right along with your primary breasts.
Surgeons usually treat this through a combination of liposuction and excision. You can't just "suck it out" like fat because breast tissue is dense and fibrous. A surgeon has to physically remove the gland. It’s a relatively straightforward outpatient procedure, but it does leave a scar, which is something to weigh against the discomfort of keeping it.
The Myth of the "Triple" Celebrity
Let's address the elephant in the room. You’ve probably seen the photos of Jasmine Tridevil. She claimed she had a third breast surgically implanted.
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It was a total fabrication.
She was eventually caught at an airport when her luggage was searched, and a "three-breast prosthetic" was found in her bag. There is no reputable plastic surgeon in the world who would perform an elective surgery to add a third breast in the middle of a person's chest. It violates every ethical code in the book, and the vascularity required to keep that tissue alive wouldn't really work with a simple implant.
Real polymastia is a natural biological occurrence, not a surgical trend.
What You Should Do If You Find a "Third" Anything
If you find a lump or a suspicious "mole" along the milk line, don't panic. But don't ignore it either.
- Check for Cyclical Changes: Does the lump get bigger or tender right before your period? If so, it’s almost certainly hormonal tissue.
- Consult an Expert: See a primary care physician or a dermatologist. They can usually tell the difference between a mole and an accessory nipple (polythelia) just by looking.
- Imaging: If there’s a mass, a doctor might order an ultrasound or a mammogram of the area. Yes, you can get a mammogram on your armpit.
- Biopsy: If the origin is unclear, a fine-needle aspiration can confirm if it’s mammary tissue.
Living With Polymastia
For most, it’s a non-issue. It’s a "fun fact" about their body. However, for those with significant tissue, it can be a source of anxiety. If you have accessory breast tissue, you need to include those areas in your monthly self-exams.
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The medical community is very used to this. You aren't a "freak" or a medical marvel; you're just part of the 5% of the population that kept a little extra of their fetal development.
Actionable Next Steps
- Self-Map: Take a look at your body along the "milk lines"—from the armpit down through the nipple and into the groin. Look for any small bumps that resemble moles but sit right on that line.
- Track Your Cycle: If you have a lump in your armpit, track its size for 30 days. If it fluctuates with your period, mention it to your OB-GYN.
- Professional Screening: If you know you have polymastia, ensure your radiologist is aware during your regular screenings so they can include that tissue in the imaging.
- Surgical Consultation: If the tissue causes pain or affects your range of motion, consult a board-certified plastic surgeon to discuss excision options. Most insurance companies will cover the removal if it is causing documented physical pain or interference with daily life.