Breast pain is quite common. Several reasons can contribute to breast pain - from something as harmless as an ill-fitting bra to possible infection! Find out the common breast pain causes to alleviate the pain.
Breast pain, also known as mastalgia or mastodynia, is a common condition. About 60-70% of women experience breast pain at some point in their life. However, only 10-20% of these cases require medical attention.
The severity of breast pain may vary, ranging from mild breast tenderness to burning sensation or stabbing pain in the breast. Similarly, you could experience pain in both breasts or pain in one breast alone, such as pain under the left or right breast.
There are several breast pain causes; some of these include:
One of the most typical breast pain reasons is a poorly-fitting bra. About 80% of women wear the wrong bra size.
Bras that are either too big or old and stretched out will do a poor job at supporting your breasts. Consequently, it can cause discomfort and soreness not only to your breasts but also to your neck, shoulders, and back. Conversely, tight bras can compress your chest and result in breast sensitivity.
Breast cysts are yet another common reason for breast pain. The filling up of fluid in the lobules or ducts can result in cyst formation, which, although asymptomatic, can be rather painful during your periods.
Cysts that are closer to the surface are softer, whereas the deeper cysts are hard lumps in the breast that hurts relatively more. Hereditary could put some women at higher risk of developing breast cysts.
However, if you notice the formation of new lumps or worsening in pain, consider consulting your doctor.
Breast tenderness and pain is a side effect of medication, hormone supplements, and replacements. Several oral contraceptives contain reproductive hormones like estrogen and progesterone, which could cause breast soreness. Thus, if you are on birth control pills or are undergoing infertility treatment or hormone replacement therapy, the medication could be the reason behind breast pain.
Have you noticed a sharp pain in your right breast that comes and goes as you carry out household chores or lift heavy things? The chances are that you are experiencing pain in your breast bone.
Muscular strains, characterised by sharp, shooting pain in breast, leads to sternum pain. In this case, the source of the pain is your pectoral muscles. The pecs are located beneath and around your breasts. Hence, any strain to these muscles could make it appear that you have breast pain.
Typically, this kind of pain is limited to pain in one breast.
Costosternal syndrome, also known as Costochondritis, is an inflammatory disease of the cartilage that connects the breastbone to the rib. Women aged 40 and above are more susceptible to this syndrome.
Those suffering from Costochondritis may also experience a burning sensation in their breast, in addition to pain in the breastbone. This condition often co-exists with autoimmune diseases like arthritis. However, it can also occur due to an injury or physical strain.
Fibrocystic breast changes are also known as cyclic mastalgia due to its periodic nature. It results in lumpy and swollen breasts due to the buildup of fibrous tissues and fluid-filled cysts. These cysts may enlarge before the onset of your period. The breast pain or tenderness before periods appears on the upper and outer areas of the breasts, and you may also notice nipple discharge.
Fortunately, this condition is harmless. More than 50% of women have experienced fibrocystic breast changes at some point in their lives. Further, it is more common for women between the ages of 20 and 50.
An infection of the breast tissues can lead to mastitis. This painful condition is most common among breastfeeding women and is a result of clogged milk ducts. However, it can happen to anyone. Mastitis typically affects only one breast.
Symptoms of mastitis include swollen breasts, redness, breast tenderness, fever, fatigue, burning sensation in the breast, and chills. When left untreated, mastitis can develop an abscess. Hence, consult your physician immediately.
Interestingly, breast pain is rarely an indicator of cancer, as most breast cancers do not cause any pain. However, in the case of inflammatory breast cancer, the tumours can cause mastodynia and general discomfort.
If you notice painful lumps in the breast that do not subside even after menstruation, then you must immediately contact your doctor. Also, talk to your physician if you notice persistent breast pain without any known cause.
Some women experience breast pain before the start of their period. On the other hand, some develop sore breasts due to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle. The release of hormones like estrogen and progesterone increase the size and number of milk ducts, which causes breast tenderness. In some cases, breast pain may radiate towards the armpit, arm, and back. The pain, swelling, and tenderness go away once your period ends.
If you have undergone breast surgery, especially for cancer removal, you may experience breast pain of varying intensity. The pain could be due to the formation of scar tissues, inflammation, or nerve damage.
Patients report sharp pain in the breast for the initial days, followed by moderate pain after some passage of time. Some individuals may continue experiencing mild, persistent pain even six months after surgery.
Breast pain could be a common occurrence and not a cause of grave concern. Start by getting fitted for an appropriately-sized bra for extra support.
At the same time, several women experience cyclical breast pain that starts with their period and ends once their period is over. Similarly, women of reproductive age may also experience breast tenderness at some point before they reach menopause. Pregnancy and breastfeeding also lead to swollen breasts, which can cause breast pain.
Clearly, most of the breast pain causes are natural and unavoidable.
However, if you have been experiencing mastalgia for prolonged durations, new lump formations, blood discharge from nipples, and other symptoms, it is time to see a doctor.
Schedule a breast examination appointment with expert Breast cancer doctors as soon as possible.
1. Can breast pain be a sign of breast cancer?
Breast pain is common and can arise during different phases of your menstrual cycle. Although breast pain may be present in some cases of breast cancer, it is rarely a direct sign of the disease. In fact, many people with breast cancer do not experience pain, especially in the early stages.
That said, pain alone does not completely rule out the possibility of breast cancer, so it is important to pay attention to any other changes in the breasts. If you are experiencing breast pain along with symptoms such as a new lump, skin dimpling, nipple discharge, or changes in the shape or size of the breast, it is best to get evaluated promptly by a breast cancer specialist.
2. Why do breasts hurt before a period?
Breast pain before or during your period is usually caused by hormonal changes. In the days leading up to menstruation, estrogen and progesterone levels rise and fall in a pattern that can cause the breast tissue to swell slightly. This swelling may put pressure on the surrounding nerves, making the breasts feel tender, heavy, sore, or achy.
Some people also notice that their breasts feel lumpier than usual during this time. That is common and normal too. The discomfort usually peaks in the days just before the period begins and tends to ease off once bleeding starts. If the pain is manageable, gentle support (a well-fitting bra), reducing caffeine and salt intake, and over-the-counter pain relief can all help.
3. When should I see a doctor for breast pain?
Most breast pain does not need urgent medical attention, but there are definitely times when it is important to get it checked properly. You should see a breast specialist if the pain is in one specific spot that does not go away, if it has been persisting for more than a few weeks, or if it is getting progressively worse. Seek medical care if the pain is accompanied by a lump, redness, warmth, swelling, nipple changes, or discharge. Breast pain that disturbs your daily life or sleep is worth addressing. If you continue to experience persistent discomfort, do not delay getting it checked.
4. What is the difference between cyclic and non-cyclic breast pain?
These two categories describe the vast majority of breast pain.
Cyclic pain follows your menstrual cycle. It happens a few days before a period starts and improves once the period begins or ends. This is the most common type of breast pain and is usually caused by hormonal changes.
Non-cyclic pain has no predictable pattern. It is usually felt in one breast or in one specific area and may feel sharp, burning, tight, or stabbing. This type of pain is more common in people who are postmenopausal, although it can occur at any age.
5. What causes sharp, stabbing pain in one breast?
One of the most common reasons behind sharp, stabbing pain in one breast is actually musculoskeletal. The muscles, cartilage, and ribs beneath and around the breast can become inflamed or strained, and the pain gets attributed to the breast itself.
Costochondritis (inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone) is also one example of such pain.
Other possible causes include a breast cyst, hormonal fluctuations, nerve irritation, or referred pain from elsewhere in the body. If the pain is not persistent, it is usually nothing to worry about. But if it keeps coming back in the same spot, or if you notice any lump or skin change alongside it, do get it evaluated.
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