Women occasionally experience tenderness in one or both of their breasts. The pain can be infrequent or a daily problem that interferes with everyday life. Persistent, unexplained breast tenderness should be evaluated by a physician. Malignancies are not often painful, but they should be ruled out as a cause.
Cycle
A certain amount of tenderness immediately before a period is perfectly normal. Hormonal changes can cause the breasts to swell and become painful. Cysts may also form (and disappear) during the cycle. Breast pain and lumps that change with a woman's cycle are often referred to as fibrocystic changes.
During menopause, tenderness can occur in the breasts because of the irregularity of hormone levels.
Pregnancy
Pregnant women often feel tenderness in their breasts. In the first trimester, it can be caused by the changes the body is going through as it prepares for the pregnancy. Later in the pregnancy, the breasts are preparing for lactation. They grow larger and can be quite tender. This tenderness will continue (and increase) after birth as women prepare to nurse or wait for their milk to dry up if they choose not to breastfeed.
Injury
An injury to the breast can cause tenderness in the area. This could be as simple as a bruise or it could be a serious injury to the surrounding area, such as a muscle strain in the chest or broken ribs. Improper exercise or using an ill-fitting bra during exercise can also cause breast tenderness.
Infection
Infections in the breast, which are most commonly caused by breastfeeding, can cause tenderness. This pain can be severe and can be accompanied by swelling, redness, warmth to the touch and fever. If these symptoms are present, a doctor should be consulted for antibiotic treatment to clear up the infection.
Considerations
While breast cancer does not usually cause pain, no breast lumps or pains should be ignored. If you have concerns about breast tenderness, consult your physician to determine if any testing is necessary.
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