Breast pain, also known as mastalgia , is a common condition and is usually categorized as cyclical or non-cyclical.
The pain is cyclical when it is associated with the menstrual cycle and tends to decrease during or after menstruation. In this case, the pain is caused by hormones.
Noncyclical pain can have many causes, including breast injury. Sometimes noncyclical pain can come from surrounding muscles or tissues rather than from the breast itself. Noncyclical pain is much less common than cyclic pain, and its causes can be more difficult to identify.
Causes of breast pain
Breast pain can be caused by a number of factors. Two of the most common causes are hormonal fluctuations and fibrocystic breasts.
Hormone fluctuations
The menstrual cycle causes fluctuations in the hormones estrogen and progesterone. These two hormones can make breasts feel swollen, lumpy, and sometimes painful.
Developmental periods that affect a woman's menstrual cycle and potentially cause breast pain include:
- puberty
- pregnancy
- menopause
Breast cysts
As we age, our breasts experience changes as breast tissue is replaced by fat. One side effect of this is the development of cysts. These are known as fibrocystic changes or fibrocystic breast tissue.
Fibrocystic breasts can feel like lumps in the upper and outer parts of the breasts. The lumps may also increase in size around the time of the menstrual cycle.
Breastfeeding and breast pain
Women may experience breast pain during breastfeeding for several reasons:
- Mastitis: an infection of the milk ducts that causes severe pain, cracking, itching, burning, or blistering of the nipples. Other symptoms include red streaks on the breasts, fever, and chills.
- Milk engorgement: occurs when the mother produces more milk than the baby consumes. This condition makes the breasts firmer and more swollen, more sensitive.
Other causes
Breast pain can have other causes, including:
- Diet: The foods a woman eats can contribute to breast pain. Women who eat unhealthy diets, such as those high in fat and carbohydrates, may be at greater risk for breast pain.
- Concerns: Sometimes breast pain occurs due to irritation of the chest, arms, or back muscles. This is common if you have been involved in strenuous physical activities.
- Breast size: Women with larger breasts may experience discomfort in the neck and shoulders.
- Medications: Antidepressants, hormone therapy, antibiotics, and heart disease medications can all contribute to breast pain.
- Smoking: Smoking increases epinephrine levels in breast tissue. This can cause pain.
Is breast pain related to breast cancer?
Breast pain is not usually related to cancer. Having pain or fibrocystic breasts does not mean you are at higher risk for cancer. However, lumpy tissue can make mammograms more difficult. A consultation with a specialist in the field can better determine whether breast pain is related to cancer.
Sources: Medical News Today, Healthline
