Thanks to author Judy Blume and her coming-of-age book, “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret,” many teen girls grew up chanting, “We must, we must, we must increase our bust!” Women with big chests are often the envy of those stuck in an A-cup. In frustration, small-breasted sisters will go to great lengths for a well-endowed chest, including herbal breast enhancement pills. Unfortunately, these pills can have adverse side effects that might not be worth the bigger bra.

Safety

Aside from the question of efficacy, your primary concern when looking at herbal breast enhancement pills should be safety. Dr. Thomas Lawrence, of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, says there have been few clinical studies to show these types of pills really increase breast size. Furthermore, Lawrence adds that the ingredients in herbal breast enhancements, when mixed with other medications, can actually be dangerous. As reported on the Doc Shop website, neither the Food and Drug Administration, nor the Better Business Bureau, backs the claim that herbal breast enhancers work. Therefore, you could unintentionally be putting yourself at risk by taking these herbal supplements.

Drug Interactions

Herbal breast enhancement pills typically use herbs or plants with hormone-like properties. Chasteberry, also known as chaste-tree berry, historically used for reproductive problems, can interfere with oral contraceptives. Don quai, used to treat premenstrual and menopausal discomfort, is also a blood-clotting herb that can negatively interact with prescribed blood clotters. Fenugreek, used to manage diabetes and to stimulate milk production in nursing mothers, can interfere with anti-clotting medications and those prescribed for diabetes.

Side Effects

Many of the ingredients found in herbal breast enhancers can adversely affect your health. Chasteberry, fenugreek, blessed thistle and dandelion can cause gastrointestinal upset, such as sour stomach, gas and bloating. Black cohosh and kava can cause liver damage, and don quai can cause sensitivity to sun. Other side effects from the herbs found in herbal breast enhancers include headache, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, skin rash and involuntary muscle movements.

Warning

Some women are at greater risk for adverse side effects of herbal breast enhancement pills. If you have fibrocystic breasts, endometriosis or gall bladder disease, speak with your health care provider before taking herbal supplements. Those who are pregnant, nursing, taking birth control pills, undergoing hormone replacement therapy or at risk for breast cancer should also consult with a physician to discuss the risks of herbal breast enhancers.