Breast Pain: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment and Procedure

Pain in the breasts can occur due to many different reasons. It may be related to your menstrual cycle and occur only during your period or right before it. It can occur during pregnancy and breast feeding, and can even be due to mastitis, which is an infection that occurs in the breasts when you are lactating. It could be a side effect of a medicine you are taking. Breast pain can be a sign of cysts in your breasts or any fibrocystic changes in your breasts. The condition can also occur due to costochondritis, which is a type of arthritis that occurs in the rib cage and breastbones. Breast pain can be a sign of breast cancer. Finally, it can also occur due to a poorly fitted bra.

Breast pain can be treated with the help of different types of medications, depending on what is causing the pain to occur in the first place. Sometimes, just the simple act of adjusting your birth control medications, or buying a bra that fits you better can eliminate the pain. Creams and ointments can also help, as do pain relievers. If you are currently going through a menopausal hormone therapy, then your doctor may advice you to adjust that in order to eliminate the pain in your breasts. Using a breast pump frequently when you are lactating to take away the pressure and fullness of your breasts can also help relieve some of the pain.

Breast Pain is one of the most commonly occurring problems nowadays which occurs mostly in women of younger age group. It can be mild or severe. Some of the important causes for this include:

• Cancer of the breasts
• Infection
• Changes in hormonal levels
• Occurrence of menopause
• Water retention during the menstrual cycle
• Injury
• Pregnancy
• Side effects of certain medications
• Breastfeeding

Summary: Breast Pain is a common health issue among women, mostly of younger age groups. It may be mild or moderate in nature and caused due to several reasons such as breast cancer of breasts, infection, injury, pregnancy, breastfeeding, etc.

In order to eliminate any underlying causes for breast pain, such as cancer, your doctor will first conduct a physical exam to check for lumps or any other worrying signs. A mammogram may also be conducted in order to gain a better look at your breasts and confirm the existence or non-existence of a tumor in the breasts. Sometimes, an ultrasound is also carried out along with the mammogram if you are experiencing pain in specific spots. Finally, the doctor may also conduct a biopsy to rule out any other worrying causes.

If you are breast feeding, your doctor will advise you to use breast pumps. The pumps come with a cup that fits over the nipple and is attached to a tube leading to a container. The container can be removed or changed as required. When the pump is used, it takes out milk from the breasts, significantly reducing the pressure and pain you may be experiencing.

If you are suffering from intense breast pain, your doctor may prescribe a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication (NSAID) for topical use when the pain comes. Prescription medications for pain relief can also help you gain relief from the pain.

Adjustments to your existing medications can also help with the pain. Sometimes, breast pain occurs as a side effect to a drug you may be taking. Your doctor can substitute it for a different one or lower the dosage, as needed. Switching your birth control pills or skipping the pill-free week can also help you reduce the pain in your breasts. Alternatively, ensuring that you are wearing the correct bra for your body type can also help eliminate the pain altogether.

If you are experiencing pain in your breasts on a regular basis, and the pain is not related to your menstrual cycle or pregnancy, you are eligible to seek out the treatment.

If you are pregnant, you can expect a certain amount of tenderness or pain in the breasts as your pregnancy advances. If you are experiencing intense pain, however, then you should consult with a doctor to understand why and eliminate the pain. If you are suffering from breast cancer, then the treatments listed above may not be the most effective ones. You will have to see an oncologist in order to gain a more effective treatment plan.

Prescription pain killers can make you drowsy, confused, and nauseous. Changing your birth control pills without consulting with your doctor can lead to side effects like changes in your menstrual cycle, acne, weight, body hair, and even pregnancy.

There are no specific post treatment guidelines for breast pain.

It can take anywhere between a few hours to a few days to recover, depending on the reason you have breast pain in the first place.

Medications can cause anywhere between Rs. 50 and Rs. 200.

The results of the treatment are permanent.

Breast Pain, being one of the common health problems nowadays, affects a considerable population among women. It may be serious in some cases. Some of the important factors for Breast Pain may include diet-related factors as well. Some of the food items which may cause Breast Pain include caffeine-rich foods or beverages, meals high in fat content, wine, cheese, and chocolate.

Summary: Breast Pain affects women mostly of younger age groups. It may be linked to dietary intake in some cases. Caffeine-rich foods, high-fat meals, cheese, and wine are some of the food items contraindicated in Breast Pain.

There are certain home remedies that you can look at. Using evening primrose oil is one of them. This oil can help reduce the fatty acid content in your breasts, which can help eliminate the pain. Massaging the oil onto your breasts can help. You can also ask your doctor to give you vitamin E supplements. These supplements can help specifically in breast pain that is caused because of your menstrual cycle.

Conclusion: Breast Pain, being one of the common health problems nowadays, affects a considerable population among women. It may be serious in some cases. In most cases, the cause may be non-cancerous or hormone-related and can be treated easily by consulting with a doctor.