There may also be an association between breast pain and a hormone called prolactin. This hormone stimulates breast milk production in women following childbirth.
It is present in the body of females, and it can affect the breasts even if a woman has not recently given birth. Breast pain may also occur around the time of ovulation , which is when an ovary releases an egg for potential fertilization.
It usually takes place 12 to 14 days before a person has their period. Some women report pain in only one breast. If hormones were the only underlying cause, some doctors believe that both breasts would respond the same way. Therefore, it is possible that other changes in the body can cause breast pain around the time of menstruation.
Another explanation is that the cells in each breast respond differently to fluctuating hormone levels. The feeling of breast pain may differ from person to person.
Some people describe the pain as soreness, while others are more likely to define it as achiness or tenderness. Some people experience constant pain over several days, while others find that it comes and goes. Breast soreness may also make it uncomfortable to wear regular bras or tight clothing. Breast cancer can sometimes cause breast pain, but this is rare as the disease tends to be slow-growing and to produce other symptoms before pain occurs. However, a rare form of breast cancer called inflammatory breast cancer can cause redness, pain, or swelling in the breasts.
Make sure your bra is the correct size and provides good support. What feels like breast pain may actually be coming from your chest wall. This is the area of muscle, tissue and bone that surrounds and protects your heart and lungs.
Common causes of chest wall pain include:. Breastfeeding can sometimes be the source of breast pain. Some of the things you can experience while nursing include:. Breastfeeding women are most likely to get breast infections mastitis , but they occasionally occur in other women, too.
If you have a breast infection, you may have a fever and symptoms in one breast, including:. Treatment typically includes antibiotics and pain relievers. Some medications may cause breast pain as a side effect. Some drugs with this known side effect include:. If a tender lump suddenly appears in your breast, you may have a cyst, says Wright.
A side effect of this is the development of cysts and more fibrous tissue. These are known as fibrocystic changes or fibrocystic breast tissue. Fibrocystic breasts can feel lumpy and can increase tenderness. This most usually occurs in the upper and outer portions of the breasts.
The lumps can also enlarge in size around the time of your menstrual cycle. You can experience breast pain while breastfeeding for a number of reasons. These include:. Mastitis is an infection of your milk ducts. This can cause severe and strong pain as well as cracked, itching, burning, or blistering on the nipples. Other symptoms include red streaks on the breasts, fever, and chills. Your doctor will treat these with antibiotics. Engorgement occurs when your breasts become overfull.
Your breasts will appear enlarged and your skin will feel tight and painful. If you cannot feed your baby soon, you can try pumping or manually expressing your milk. You can do this by placing your thumb on top of your breast and your fingers underneath your breast. Slowly roll your fingers back against your chest wall and forward toward your nipples to empty your breast.
Signs your baby may not be latching properly include cracking nipples and nipple soreness. A lactation consultant at the hospital where you gave birth can typically help you establish a healthier latch. See your doctor or call a lactation specialist if you are having difficulty breastfeeding. You can also visit La Leche League International to find a certified lactation consultant in your area.
The foods a woman eats may contribute to breast pain. Women who eat unhealthy diets , such as those high in fat and refined carbs, may also be at greater risk for breast pain. Antidepressants, hormone therapy, antibiotics, and medications for heart disease can all contribute to breast pain. Smoking is known to increase epinephrine levels in the breast tissue. Breast pain is not usually linked to breast cancer. Although women are more likely to experience sore breasts, this can affect anyone who has breast tissue.
Breast pain is rarely a symptom of cancer, and there are several reasons why perfectly healthy breasts may start to hurt. One of the most common causes of breast pain is an ill-fitting bra.
A bra that is too big, too old, or too stretched out may not provide the support you need. When your breasts jostle around all day, they can easily get sore. You may also feel sore in your back, neck, and shoulders. Think you wear the right size? You could be wrong. One study found that 80 percent. Trusted Source. Researchers found this to be particularly common among women with larger breasts. If you answered yes to any of the above, consider a professional fitting at a department store or lingerie shop.
Many women find it difficult to measure themselves at home, and a professional fitting is often much more accurate. You can also try an online service, like Thirdlove , that lets you test a bra at home before you buy it. Your pectoral muscles commonly called pecs lie directly beneath and around your breasts. This type of breast pain is usually limited to one breast. Pectoral muscle strains are common in athletes and weight lifters, but they can easily happen to anyone.
Typical household activities like raking, shoveling, or even lifting your baby can lead to a pectoral strain. Shop for yoga mats. This can also happen to your chest. For example, it could be because you carried a heavy cross-body bag or bumped yourself while carrying a sleeping child. Sex is also a common cause of breast injury, whether you bent over something, were grabbed too hard, or otherwise squished and jostled.
Most female breast pain results from hormonal changes. Hormones like estrogen and progesterone fluctuate throughout the month, wreaking all sorts of havoc on your body and your brain. Estrogen and progesterone can actually increase the size and number of ducts and milk glands in your breasts.
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