What is the condition that makes your buttocks bigger? Understanding Medical and Genetic Causes

October 2, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the Cleveland Clinic, lipedema is an abnormal, symmetrical fat buildup that affects up to 11% of women and can make your buttocks bigger along with other areas like the legs and thighs. However, several other genetic traits and health conditions can also influence fat distribution and lead to a larger posterior.

Quick Summary

Several factors can cause larger buttocks, including the medical condition lipedema, a hereditary trait called steatopygia, and general gynoid obesity. Abnormal fat tissue and hormonal influences differ from standard weight gain. Diagnosis is key for appropriate management and symptom relief.

Key Points

Lipedema is an abnormal fat condition: It causes symmetrical, often painful, fat accumulation in the lower body and does not respond to traditional diet and exercise.
Steatopygia is a genetic trait: This inherited condition results in a prominent deposit of fat on the buttocks and thighs and is not a disease.
Gynoid obesity is a fat distribution pattern: Also known as 'pear-shaped' obesity, it involves fat storage in the hips, thighs, and buttocks due to genetics and hormones.
Hormonal shifts and genetics are key factors: Both lipedema and gynoid obesity are influenced by hormones like estrogen, while genetics play a role in all types of fat distribution.
Pain is a major differentiator: Pain and easy bruising are hallmark symptoms of lipedema, which are not present in steatopygia or general gynoid obesity.
Diagnosis requires professional evaluation: Anyone with symptoms of lipedema, particularly persistent pain, should see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and management plan.
Management varies by cause: Treatments for lipedema may include compression therapy and specialized liposuction, while lifestyle changes address gynoid obesity.

Lipedema: The Abnormal and Painful Fat Buildup

One of the most significant medical explanations for a disproportionately large lower body, including the buttocks, is a condition called lipedema. This chronic disorder primarily affects women and is characterized by a symmetrical accumulation of painful fat cells, typically in the legs, thighs, and buttocks. Unlike regular body fat, lipedema fat often feels soft, doughy, and cold to the touch and does not respond to standard diet and exercise. The hands and feet are typically spared, creating a noticeable size discrepancy between the upper and lower body.

Symptoms and Stages of Lipedema

Beyond the distinct distribution of fat, lipedema presents with several other notable symptoms that differentiate it from other causes of weight gain:

Pain and Tenderness: The affected areas can be tender or painful to the touch, sometimes without any pressure at all.
Easy Bruising: The skin over lipedema fat bruises much more easily than unaffected skin.
Heavy Sensation: A feeling of heaviness and fatigue in the legs is common.
Visible Texture: The skin may have an uneven, dimpled texture, sometimes described as feeling like pebbles or cottage cheese underneath.

Lipedema can worsen over time, progressing through stages. In later stages, it can lead to complications such as secondary lymphedema, where the lymphatic system becomes overwhelmed and fluid builds up, causing additional swelling.

Causes and Management of Lipedema

The exact cause of lipedema is unknown, but genetics and hormones are suspected to play a significant role. It often begins or worsens during periods of hormonal change, such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. While there is no cure, various treatments can help manage the symptoms and prevent progression:

Conservative Treatments: Include anti-inflammatory diets, regular exercise (especially swimming or walking to reduce joint stress), and compression garments to support the tissues and reduce swelling.
Manual Lymphatic Drainage (MLD): A specialized massage technique to help move lymph fluid and reduce swelling.
Surgical Intervention: In more severe cases, liposuction (specifically, water-assisted or tumescent) can remove the abnormal fat tissue and improve mobility.

Steatopygia: A Genetically Inherited Trait

Another condition related to larger buttocks is steatopygia, a genetic trait characterized by a prominent buildup of fat on the buttocks and thighs. Unlike lipedema, steatopygia is not associated with pain or other pathological symptoms and is a natural physical variation. Historically noted among some populations, such as the Khoisan people of Southern Africa, it is not a disease but rather a genetically influenced trait. Research suggests genetics and environment both influence its development. The fat accumulation is primarily concentrated in the gluteal and upper thigh regions and can occur regardless of overall body weight.

Gynoid Obesity and Other Influencing Factors

Beyond specific medical conditions, a larger posterior can also be a result of several common, non-pathological factors. Gynoid obesity, also known as having a "pear-shaped" body, involves storing excess fat primarily in the hips, buttocks, and thighs. This is largely influenced by genetics and hormonal factors, particularly estrogen levels, which direct fat storage toward the lower body in many women.

Other key influencers include:

General Genetics: The distribution of fat is a highly heritable trait. Your body's shape and where it stores fat are often determined by your parents' genes.
Lifestyle: A sedentary lifestyle or a high-calorie diet can increase overall body fat, with accumulation following an individual's genetic pattern. Conversely, targeted exercise, like strength training for the gluteal muscles, can increase the size and definition of the buttocks.
Hormonal Changes: Fluctuations in hormones, not just during puberty or pregnancy, can alter fat distribution. For instance, the hormonal shifts of menopause can lead to changes in body shape.
Age and Metabolism: As people age, their metabolism slows down, and muscle mass naturally declines, which can alter body composition and fat distribution.

How Different Buttock Enlargement Causes Compare


Feature	Lipedema	Steatopygia	Gynoid Obesity	Other Factors (Lifestyle/Aging)
Fat Distribution	Abnormal, bilateral fat from waist to ankles; spares hands/feet.	Concentrated, prominent fatty tissue on buttocks and thighs.	Excess fat on hips, buttocks, and thighs ("pear shape").	Generalized or localized fat storage patterns, depending on individual genetics and habits.
Sensation	Often painful and tender to the touch.	Not associated with pain or other symptoms.	Typically not painful, unless associated with weight-related issues.	Not typically painful on its own, though aging can cause joint issues.
Cause	Primarily hormonal and genetic; often starts during puberty or pregnancy.	A hereditary genetic trait.	Genetics, hormones (estrogen), diet, and activity levels.	Genetics, lifestyle (diet and exercise), hormonal changes (pregnancy, menopause).
Response to Diet/Exercise	Doesn't respond well to diet or exercise; patients lose weight in unaffected areas.	Not affected by weight gain or loss; shape remains triangular.	Weight loss through diet and exercise reduces fat in affected areas.	Can be managed through diet and exercise to control fat and build muscle.
Complications	Can lead to secondary lymphedema, mobility issues, and psychological distress.	No significant health complications.	Increased risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes.	Sedentary lifestyle can lead to muscle loss and weight gain.

Conclusion: Differentiating the Causes of a Larger Posterior

While a larger-than-average posterior can result from a mix of genetics, lifestyle, and hormonal factors, it is crucial to recognize the potential medical conditions involved. Lipedema is a distinct, painful condition caused by abnormal fat cells that do not respond to conventional weight loss methods. In contrast, steatopygia is a non-pathological genetic trait, and gynoid obesity refers to a general body fat distribution pattern often influenced by hormones and lifestyle choices.

For those experiencing persistent pain, easy bruising, or disproportionate fat accumulation that does not respond to a healthy diet and exercise, it is essential to consult a healthcare professional. A proper diagnosis can differentiate a benign trait from a chronic medical condition, guiding you toward effective management strategies and improving your overall health and quality of life. For further information and support, consider visiting the Fat Disorders Research Society.

Visit the Fat Disorders Research Society for support and resources related to lipedema

Frequently Asked Questions

The medical term for having excessive fatty tissue on the buttocks and thighs is steatopygia. While sometimes used broadly, it specifically refers to a genetic trait rather than a disease, and unlike lipedema, it is not associated with pain or other symptoms.

Lipedema is different because the fat buildup is symmetrical, often painful, and occurs mainly in the lower body, sparing the hands and feet. This fat does not diminish with diet and exercise, unlike regular obesity.

No, exercise and dieting do not typically get rid of lipedema fat. While a healthy lifestyle is important for overall health, patients with lipedema may find they lose weight from their upper body but not from the affected lower body.

No, not always. Factors like genetics, body fat distribution (gynoid obesity), and muscle development from exercise can lead to larger buttocks without any underlying medical condition. However, pain and disproportionate swelling can signal a condition like lipedema.

Gynoid obesity is a body fat distribution pattern where excess fat accumulates around the hips, buttocks, and thighs, resulting in a 'pear-shaped' figure. This is primarily influenced by genetics and estrogen.

Lipedema is diagnosed by a healthcare provider through a physical examination, medical history review, and checking for specific signs like painful, symmetrical fat deposits and a difference in size between the legs and feet. Imaging tests may also be used to confirm.

The exact reason is unknown, but since lipedema often begins or worsens during hormonal changes like puberty, pregnancy, or menopause, medical professionals suspect a strong link to female hormones. It is very rare in men.