Experiencing pain in one or both breasts is something that all girls and women encounter at different times due to multiple reasons. Therefore, we will talk here in detail about breast pain, between what is normal and what is unusual, and when you should consult a doctor immediately.
Breast pain manifests in a number of symptoms, and a woman often experiences more than one symptom at a time, and sometimes only one symptom appears, as it is related in some way to the main reason behind the occurrence of the pain.
In general, the symptoms are divided into the following:
- A feeling of swelling and fullness in the area.
- It hurts slightly when touched.
- A feeling of tightness in the tissues.
- Feeling a throbbing, recurring pain.
- Facing a pain akin to a stab.
ﻻ
The pain can be sharp, moderate, or sometimes accompanied by a burning sensation, and these pains are divided into cyclical and non-cyclical types.
Regular periodic breast pain
This refers to the type of pain that occurs regularly and repeatedly during a specific time of the month, which is the time of the menstrual cycle. These pains are among the symptoms of common premenstrual syndrome. The pain often occurs a week before the menstrual cycle and is accompanied by a feeling of fullness in the breasts, often in the upper region.
Persistent non-cyclical breast pain
Unlike the above, it is a type that is unrelated to the menstrual cycle, and is characterized by being permanent and not ending after the end of the cycle. Sometimes it is continuous or intermittent, and is accompanied by a stabbing sensation, and often appears after menopause.
Reasons
Most of the time, breast pain is not a sign of something alarming as commonly believed, but on the other hand, it is a symptom that should be taken very seriously. In the following points, we will mention all the reasons that can lead to it and why it should be given careful attention.
- This occurs as a result of changing hormone levels within the body, and this is precisely why, when menstruation comes, estrogen and progesterone levels decrease, and there is also a disturbance in prolactin levels at some point during the menstrual cycle as a whole, which causes some mild pain.
- Excessive caffeine intake has been linked to improved breast pain in some women, but there is still a lack of research on this point.
- This is a result of using certain hormonal medications, such as those used to treat infertility, birth control, or depression, along with some other types.
- Changes in the milk ducts or glands may lead to the development of breast cysts, which are painful, common, and associated with regular breast pain.
- At puberty, it is a very common symptom resulting from the number of changes that occur within a girl's body and the increased prominence of the breasts.
- As a result of breastfeeding, sometimes inflammation may occur in the breast, leading to pain and sensitivity.
- Wearing bras that are not completely suitable for breast size or skin type, while consistently wearing them all day.
- This is a result of ovulation, and this is also due to hormonal changes during that process.
- The cause may be external and unrelated to the breast, such as rheumatism and chest pain.
- The enlargement of the breasts causes constant pain, accompanied by neck, shoulder and back pain.
However, we mentioned earlier the importance of paying attention to breast pain, because sometimes it may be an indication of tumors, especially when lumps are noticed in the breast. The diagnosis here is divided into two types:
- benign tumors
This is the most common and prevalent type, as breast pain is mostly not cancerous at all, and the lumps may be related to the onset of menstruation, known as fibrocystic changes, and disappear after the end of menstruation , and do not increase the chance of breast cancer at all.
- cancerous tumors
90% of malignant tumors are not accompanied by breast pain, and pain only appears in the later stages. Therefore, pain is rarely an expression of cancer, especially when it occurs before the age of forty.
But this does not negate the importance of noticing them. Based on this, if you notice lumps that do not disappear with the end of your period, whether there is pain or not, and whether you are in your twenties or fifties, you should consult a doctor immediately to ensure your safety and to carry out the necessary procedures and treatment at an early stage.
If you experience breast pain after menopause and it does not improve, or if the pain is generally unbearable, a quick medical examination is also necessary.
Prevention
Firstly, a doctor should be consulted if symptoms persist or if a strange symptom appears for an extended period, as previously mentioned. In addition, there are some preventative measures, which are:
- Avoid using hormonal treatments as much as possible, and do not take any medication without consulting a specialist doctor.
- Choose a bra that fits well but is not too tight.
- Eat a healthy, low-fat diet.
- Limit caffeine intake.