Your Armpit Fat May Actually Be Something Else

Although they may look the same, armpit fat and breast tissue, or axillary breast tissue, are totally different. While armpit fat is made up of fat (obviously), axillary breast tissue is basically misplaced breast that usually appears in the armpit area but can also be found in unusual places like the thigh or labia majora (per National Library of Medicine). Axillary breast tissue affects between 2% and 6% of women, it may be difficult to pinpoint if that extra meat under your arm is breast tissue or fat.

When you have axillary breast tissue, the area under your armpit may fluctuate during hormonal stages in your monthly cycle. Just like your breasts may change in shape and become sensitive during your period, so does that tissue under the armpit (per Plastic Surgery Group Memphis). In this case, the area can be inflamed, lumpy, or larger than normal armpit fat. With weight gain, axillary breast tissue and armpit fat can become more prominent.