When you’re dealing with the skin sensitivities and extensive pain of fibromyalgia, the last thing you possibly want to do is put on a bra. If you’re at home, wearing several layers or has a small chest, you may feel totally comfortable skipping a bra entirely and that’s great! However for many women, there are occasions when a bra feels essential.
Perhaps you feel physically uncomfortable and unsupported without one, or you need to go run errands and feel self-conscious skipping it. Many people go for for tops that have a built in cami, but if you require or just want more significant hold, a jersey panel with some elastic won’t incise it. Sports bras, the trendy proposal for the “anti-bra” throng also wouldn’t be a strong choice as the tautness of the bra can cause great uneasiness.
When you are dealing with the sensitivity of the skin and generalized fibromyalgia pain, on these occasions, you will need a bra that is soft, not too tight and not add to the pain that you are feeling. As anyone with fibromyalgia who went shopping bra knows many styles of bra and brands will not work for them, People who have fibromyalgia have a condition where even light touch can be perceived as being painful. This is called allodynia.
As a consequence, clothes should be loose-fitting, light in weight, and non-constricting.” In other words, tight clothes are the enemy. With all the straps and wires, not to mention their close proximity to the skin, it’s no wonder that bras are high on the list of clothing that causes chronic pain among women with fibromyalgia. Many women with fibromyalgia will in fact not put on bras because of the painful sensation.
To make sure that bras and underwear help rather than harm, opt for loose-fitting, not constrictive styles that are easy to pull on and off. Also, decide bras and underwear that are made of flexible cotton rather than harsh man-made fabrics
We ask a question to our community “Living with Fibromyalgia” that “If you have chronic pain, what’s a brand of lingerie you find comfortable?”. Lots of member responded and share their thoughts with us. Wearing a bra is painful to the back and ribs. Most of them prefer to wear no bra or underwear because for them bra causing additional pain and spasm. Also most of them prefer to wear camisoles too.
Note: Names initial are used for privacy purposes. We are also not promoting any bra brands, only sharing what help other women with fibro.
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Here is what community share with us:
1. – Sainsbury have the only bras i have found i can wear. Somedays its only their stretch type but its very soft.They also do a soft touch range for normal style bras. – K.C
2. I wear “RHONDA SHEAR SEAMLESS LACE BRALETTE”. No seams, no hooks. I don’t need to struggle. As for sleep, Cotton night shirts. I seem to have an sensory issue with materials, especially recycled materials. –R.B
3. For me SOMA makes the softest most comfortable undergarments I have tried. Their bras, panties and pajamas are skin sensitivity friendly. –D.S
4. I find “Curvy Kate” the most comfortable, it also gives me the best support. I’m not small in the bust area never have been so struggle to wear a non underwired bra. –E.K-
5. For me,I like a little Victoria’s Secret. Makes me look luxe and sexy, even when I’m not feeling it. –K.N –
6. Cacique brand from lane Bryant is the most comfortable and they have so many styles. Plus it’s hard to find bras without the wire in them. -M.C
7. 100% cotton grannies panties. I discovered how comfy they were when i was pregnant with my oldest child. I wear the good old granny panties. (Silky soft) And the night gowns are the new super thin super soft kind. But they are long t shirts.
And are found at Walmart. I seldom get dresses unless I’m having company or going somewhere. And then the second I walk back in. I’m back in a nightgown. –D.W.W
8. Over sized sports bras… “Fruit of the Loom” makes great ones!! And buying your underwear a size or 2 bigger so its not tight by the bandings are good too…also tag less whenever possible on the underwear!!! –L.S
9. For me it’s “Hanes women’s wear” anything of the Haynes brand it’s comfortable. –D.K-
10. Warner’s non-underwire bras and fruit of the loom cotton (heathers). –K.K –
Also Read
> What to wear when your clothes causes pain
> Effect of different types of clothes on fibro patients
> 13 Best and Worst Fabrics for people with Fibromyalgia
11. Sloggi are comfiest for sure! –K.E –
12. Gilligan and Omalley Modal Nightgowns from Target. They have an adjustable built in bra that actually provides decent support w/o being uncomfortable AND they’re insanely soft. OR 1 of my husbands over sized hanes crew neck sweatshirts + Bali sports bra + lularoe leggings. –K.M-
13. My bra is by Glamorise through Amazon because I am top-heavy, And for nightgowns I tend to wear over sized T-shirts and my daily clothes are scrubs so they’re already comfortable. –H.L-
14. No particular store or brand. Got a George brand super soft nightie with wider straps that is loose from Walmart a few years ago. One of my favorites. Any kind of loose camisoles that come down mid thigh. –A.M-
15. A few years back I discovered coobies. Love love love them. Sports bra and boy shorts. –M.B –
16. Bamboo stuff is amazing to wear. T.J-
17. JOCKEY FOR HER, French cut …All cotton …love them . – J.B-
18. Boy shorts, tanks with built in bras & for “night” time just a thin, light, satin slip. Soft, comfortable and non constricting. As of brand.. anything that is super soft or natural. Cotton boy shorts. They are comfy and cute! You can find them in lots of colors and patterns. I wear no bra or one by Yummie.
19. I find the Primark full briefs to be really comfortable! cotton!- L.C –
20. Marks and Spencers comfort bras. Or a crop top if shoulders hurts. -N.C
21. Hanes cotton briefs only. –R.B
22. I buy seamless bras & panties at La Senza & la vie en rose. They have to be washed in unscented tide & never any fabric softeners. I do like to take my bra off as soon as I can in the evening & get into my cotton stretchy la vie en rose pjs!-A.M –
Also Read: Fibromyalgia Pain: is Your Bras Causing it More ?
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Few Tips related to Bra Shoping
Cotton only
Stay away from synthetic fabrics. They don’t breathe well and may cause moisture to build up causing the garment to become further uncomfortable to wear. Natural materials promote airflow. If you have to go with a less than ordinary material due to finances constraints, then a microfiber blend would be your best gamble as it will assist keeping the moisture off.
Front closures
This is an important point for many people who have Fibromyalgia. With the joint pain and the added sensitivity, they often have trouble reaching around to close and open bras. Hooking them in the front and rotating them may case pain to already responsive bodies. Instead, a bra with a front closure provides an easy alternative. The bonus is that the backs of these bras are often much smoother than traditional ones.
Getting your exact size
This, for many people, is the problem. Making sure that your bra is a good fit is paramount to comfort. Some pain issues can be solved simply by being professionally fit for a bra instead of guessing in the dressing room. Although there aren’t any one-size-fits-all answers (or bras for that matter) there are a few options that may work. Adhesive cups that do not have straps or any kind may provide support, but aren’t a permanent solution. There are also ‘invisible back’ bras that some people have found ease in, as well as freedom/revival bras.
The important thing is to find something that works for your body and not to “settle the lesser of two evils. I would also suggest trying Wacoal red carpet strapless, Wacoal perfect fit non-underwire t-shirt bra, Spanx bra-lelujah front closure, or Amoena post surgery bras available at Nordstrom. As well, many women also note that this search for the perfect, pain-free bra is fairly expensive.
Some women have resorted to going bra-less, but this caused its own problems. The solution for many is getting personally fitted for a bra. Ensuring that your bra is a perfect fit is a great way to minimize the chance that it will aggravate your Fibromyalgia.
Summing up: Top brands for women with fibro are:
- > Soma
- > Hanes
- > Victoria’s Screets
- > Cacique brand from lane Bryant
- > La Senze
- > Warner’s
- > Sloggi
- > Marks and Spencer
- > Glamorise
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Further Reading: How to Choose a Bra That Doesn’t Aggravate Fibromyalgia Pain
