Pain - breast; Mastalgia; Mastodynia; Breast tenderness
ConsiderationsThere are many possible causes for breast pain. For example, hormone level changes related to menstruation or pregnancy are often responsible for breast tenderness. Some degree of swelling and tenderness just before your period is normal.
Although many women with pain in one or both breasts may fear breast cancer, breast pain is NOT a common symptom of cancer.
Boys and men have breast tissue. If a male has breast tissue that can be seen, the condition is called gynecomastia. Adolescent boys can have some breast swelling and tenderness as a part of normal development. This is due to hormone changes, and is similiar to breast tenderness in women.
Common CausesSome degree of breast tenderness is normal. The discomfort may be caused by hormonal changes due to:
Soon after childbirth, your breasts may become swollen with milk. This can be very painful and is usually accompanied by swelling. If you also have an area of redness, call your health care provider. Breastfeeding itself may also cause breast pain.
Other common causes of breast pain include:
Fibrocystic breast changes are also a common cause of breast pain. Fibrocystic breast tissue contains lumps and bumps that tend to be more tender just before your menstrual period.
Certain medications may also cause breast pain, including digitalis preparations, methyldopa (Aldomet), spironolactone (Aldactone), certain diuretics, Anadrol, and chlorpromazine.
Shingles can lead to pain felt in the breast if the painful blistering rash appears on the skin over one of your breasts.
Home CareFor tips on how to manage pain from fibrocystic breasts, see breast lumps.
Certain Birth Control pills may help relieve breast pain. Ask your doctor if this therapy is right for you.
If you have a breast infection, you may need antibiotics. Look for symptoms of infection such as redness in the area, nipple discharge, or fever. Contact your doctor if you have these symptoms.
If you have a breast injury, immediately apply a cold compress such as an ice pack (wrapped in a cloth -- don't apply directly to the skin) for 15 to 20 minutes. Take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen to reduce your chance of developing persistent breast pain or swelling.
Call your health care provider ifCall your doctor if you have:
Your health care provider will perform a breast examination and ask questions about your breast pain, such as:
Tests that may be done include:
Treatment may include the following:
Your health care provider should schedule a follow-up visit in case the symptoms have not gone away in a given period of time. Your doctor may recommend that you see a specialist if the symptoms do not go away or if you have a complicated condition.
PreventionWear a well-fitting bra for support, especially if your breasts are large.
Perform a monthly breast self-exam 3-5 days after your period (when the breast tissue is the least tender). This is important to feel for any changes in your breast tissue. If you detect any change from the previous month, notify your doctor.
ReferencesValea FA, Katz VL. Breast diseases: diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disease. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 15.
Pain - breast; Mastalgia; Mastodynia; Breast tenderness
ConsiderationsThere are many possible causes for breast pain. For example, hormone level changes from menstruation or pregnancy often cause breast tenderness. Some amount of swelling and tenderness just before your period is normal.
Although many women who have pain in one or both breasts may fear breast cancer, breast pain is NOT a common symptom of cancer.
Common CausesSome amount of breast tenderness is normal. The discomfort may be caused by hormonal changes due to:
Soon after childbirth, your breasts may become swollen with milk. This can be very painful. If you also have an area of redness, call your health care provider. Breastfeeding itself may also cause breast pain.
Fibrocystic breast changes are also a common cause of breast pain. Fibrocystic breast tissue contains lumps that tend to be more tender just before your menstrual period.
Certain medications may also cause breast pain, including digitalis preparations, methyldopa (Aldomet), spironolactone (Aldactone), certain diuretics, Anadrol, and chlorpromazine.
Shingles can lead to pain in the breast if the painful blistering rash appears on the skin over one of your breasts.
Home CareIf you have painful breasts, the following may help:
Although some women believe that reducing the amount of fat, caffeine, or chocolate in their diet helps with their symptoms, there is no good evidence that this helps. Vitamine E, thiamine, magnesium, and evening primrose oil are not harmful, but in most studies they have not shown any benefit. Before taking any medication or supplement, be sure to talk with your health care provider.
Certain birth control pills may help relieve breast pain. Ask your health care provider if this therapy is right for you.
Call your health care provider ifCall your health care provider if you have:
Your health care provider will perform a breast examination and ask questions about your breast pain. You may have amammogram or ultrasound.
Your health care provider may schedule a follow-up visit if your symptoms have not gone away in a given period of time. Your health care provider may recommend that you see a specialist if the symptoms do not go away.
PreventionThere is not really any way to prevent most breast pain, but wearing a well-fitting bra for support may help.
ReferencesValea FA, Katz VL. Breast diseases: diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant disease. In: Katz VL, Lentz GM, Lobo RA, Gershenson DM, eds. Comprehensive Gynecology. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2007:chap 15.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 01/24/2011
Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery practice specializing in Breast cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
Premenstrual breast pain and breast pain during pregnancy feel the same and occur for the same hormonal reasons. If you think you might be pregnant, take a pregnancy test.
Breast tenderness is all of that. It could be tenderness, pain, swelling...etc of a breast or nipple
pain between breast achy upper back
I'm not sure but I have on and off mild to bad breast pain sometimes shooting pain in my breasts and I have 2 herniated discs in my neck. I wonder if its some kind of referred pain.
Breast pain can be a symptom of puberty, pregnancy, pain, aching and tenderness in the breast, or any weirdness in them. One breast can be larger than the other, it can change to different colors, or the nipple can be flat or inverted.
Mastodynia or mastalgia is the medical term meaning breast pain.
Mastalgia
Breast Pain and CancerThere is no specific type of breast pain that is a sign that a patient might have breast cancer. Breast cancer does not typically cause breast pain.Virtually all the breast pains that women experience are caused by benign problems. Most of these are caused by fibrocystic breast and hormonal changes.However, you have to be careful when you hear people say that if you have breast pain then, you do not have breast cancer. This is because breast pain and breast cancer can coexist in the same breast, but they are not usually related. In other words one did not cause the other.So, the same woman with breast cancer can have breast pain, just like the same woman with breast cancer can have blue eyes or grey hairs.So, a woman with breast pain is not protected from breast cancer and should still be screened for breast cancer like any other woman.
I'm 44 and have been having hot flashes for YEARS. YES I have breast pain!
i have had severe breast pain for years but the regular doctor says there is nothing wrong
What could cause frequent stabbing pain in my right breast?
Breast pain is one of the most common breast problems. Pain can range from mild to severe, and sometimes requires treatment. It may affect one or both breasts, or can radiate into the armpit. In general, breast pain is not a sign of cancer. Discover all causes of the breast pain in recommended related link.