Ból piersi
Etiologia i przyczyny

Ból piersi (mastalgia) jest powszechnym objawem, dotykającym do 70% kobiet w ciągu życia, najczęściej związanym z cyklicznymi zmianami hormonalnymi w cyklu miesiączkowym. Cykliczny ból, stanowiący około 66% przypadków, nasila się w drugiej fazie cyklu, szczególnie w tygodniu przedmiesiączkowym, i jest związany z wahaniami stężeń estrogenów i progesteronu, które wpływają na przerost przewodów mlecznych, gruczołów oraz retencję płynów w tkance piersiowej. Niecykliczny ból, stanowiący około 33% przypadków, ma charakter bardziej lokalny i strukturalny, często występuje u kobiet po 40. roku życia i może być spowodowany m.in. dużymi piersiami, torbielami, urazami, zmianami włóknisto-torbielowatymi czy stanami zapalnymi (mastitis, ropień). Dodatkowo, ból pozapiersiowy może wynikać z przyczyn mięśniowo-szkieletowych, zapalenia chrząstek żebrowych, zespołu Mondora czy chorób serca. Warto zwrócić uwagę na wpływ leków (np. hormonalnych, psychotropowych) oraz czynników stylu życia, takich jak nadmierne spożycie kofeiny, dieta wysokotłuszczowa, palenie tytoniu czy stres, które mogą nasilać dolegliwości.

Ból piersi – etiologia

Ból piersi (mastalgia) jest jednym z najczęstszych objawów zgłaszanych przez kobiety. Dotyka on nawet do 70% kobiet w ciągu ich życia i stanowi najczęstszą przyczynę wizyt w przychodniach specjalistycznych oraz gabinetach lekarzy podstawowej opieki zdrowotnej.12 Chociaż ból piersi może budzić niepokój, rzadko jest on związany z nowotworem piersi, a najczęściej wynika z fizjologicznych zmian lub innych łagodnych przyczyn.34

Zasadniczo ból piersi można sklasyfikować jako cykliczny lub niecykliczny, przy czym taki podział ma istotne znaczenie kliniczne, ponieważ ocena, postępowanie i odpowiedź na leczenie różnią się w zależności od rodzaju bólu.56

Ból cykliczny

Cykliczny ból piersi stanowi około dwóch trzecich wszystkich przypadków mastalgii i jest ściśle związany z cyklem miesiączkowym.78 Ten rodzaj bólu zwykle nasila się w drugiej fazie cyklu, szczególnie w tygodniu poprzedzającym miesiączkę, i ustępuje po jej rozpoczęciu.910 Cykliczny ból piersi jest najczęściej związany ze zmianami hormonalnymi i dotyka przede wszystkim kobiety w wieku rozrodczym (20-50 lat).11

Przyczyny hormonalne

Główną przyczyną cyklicznego bólu piersi są wahania hormonalne związane z cyklem miesiączkowym. Zmiany poziomów estrogenu i progesteronu wpływają na strukturę i wrażliwość tkanki piersiowej.1213 Podwyższone stężenie estrogenów powoduje przerost przewodów mlecznych i gruczołów piersiowych, a także zwiększa retencję płynów w piersiach, co prowadzi do obrzęku i wrażliwości.1415

Badania sugerują, że u kobiet z cyklicznym bólem piersi może występować nierównowaga hormonalna, w tym niższy poziom progesteronu w stosunku do estrogenu w drugiej połowie cyklu miesiączkowego.16 Inne badania wskazują na potencjalną rolę nieprawidłowego poziomu prolaktyny w patogenezie bólu piersi.17

Wahania hormonalne powodujące ból piersi występują również w innych okresach życia kobiety, takich jak:1819

  • Okres dojrzewania
  • Ciąża (szczególnie w pierwszym trymestrze)
  • Okres około menopauzalny i menopauza
Zaburzenia równowagi kwasów tłuszczowych

Badania wskazują, że zaburzenia równowagi kwasów tłuszczowych w komórkach mogą wpływać na wrażliwość tkanki piersiowej na krążące hormony.2021 Nierównowaga ta może zwiększać odpowiedź tkanki piersiowej na normalne wahania hormonalne, prowadząc do nasilenia objawów bólu.22

Stres i zaburzenia hormonalne

Stres psychiczny i emocjonalny może prowadzić do uwalniania kortyzolu, który zaburza równowagę hormonów reprodukcyjnych.23 Wyższe poziomy stresu mogą prowadzić do bardziej intensywnych i nietypowych objawów przedmiesiączkowych, w tym nasilonego bólu piersi.24 Hormony mogą również wpływać na cykliczny ból piersi z powodu stresu.25

Ból niecykliczny

Niecykliczny ból piersi stanowi około jednej trzeciej przypadków mastalgii i nie jest związany z cyklem miesiączkowym.26 Ten rodzaj bólu jest bardziej związany z przyczynami strukturalnymi lub anatomicznymi niż z wpływem hormonów.27 Niecykliczny ból piersi zwykle jest zlokalizowany w jednym miejscu, może być trwały lub występować sporadycznie i jest częstszy u kobiet po 40. roku życia.2829

Strukturalne i anatomiczne przyczyny

Do anatomicznych i strukturalnych przyczyn niecyklicznego bólu piersi należą:3031

  • Duże, ciężkie piersi, które rozciągają więzadła Coopera i tkankę podporową
  • Torbiele piersi
  • Urazy piersi
  • Blizny po poprzednich operacjach piersi
  • Gruczolakowłókniaki
  • Zmiany włóknisto-torbielowate

Duże piersi mogą powodować ból związany z ich rozmiarem. Ból piersi w takich przypadkach często współwystępuje z bólem szyi, ramion i pleców.3233

Zmiany włóknisto-torbielowate (piersi włóknisto-torbielowate) to łagodne zmiany w tkance piersiowej, które mogą powodować ból, szczególnie przed miesiączką.34 Dokładna przyczyna tych zmian nie jest znana, ale podejrzewa się, że rolę odgrywają hormony reprodukcyjne, zwłaszcza estrogen.35

Infekcje i stany zapalne

Infekcje i stany zapalne mogą powodować zlokalizowany ból piersi, często z towarzyszącym zaczerwienieniem, obrzękiem i miejscową bolesnością. Do najczęstszych należą:3637

  • Zapalenie piersi (mastitis) – zarówno związane z karmieniem piersią, jak i niezwiązane
  • Ropień piersi
  • Zapalenie nabłonka przewodów mlecznych (duct ectasia)

Zapalenie piersi najczęściej występuje u kobiet karmiących piersią, gdy bakterie dostają się do tkanki piersiowej przez pęknięty lub podrażniony sutek, ale może również wystąpić u kobiet, które nie karmią piersią.3839

Urazy i operacje

Ból związany z urazem piersi lub operacją może utrzymywać się długo po zagojeniu się ran.40 Po każdym rodzaju operacji piersi może wystąpić ból w miarę gojenia się nacięć i tworzenia się blizn.41 Ból ten może być bardziej nasilony w przypadku operacji z powodu nowotworu piersi, mastektomii czy rekonstrukcji piersi.42

Ból pozapiersiowy

Ból pozapiersiowy (extramammary) to rodzaj bólu, który jest odczuwany w obszarze piersi, ale jego źródło znajduje się poza tkanką gruczołu piersiowego.43 Ten rodzaj bólu jest obecnie najczęstszym typem mastalgii kierowanym do poradni specjalistycznych.44

Główne przyczyny bólu pozapiersiowego to:4546

Zapalenie chrząstek żebrowych (kostochondritis) to stan zapalny chrząstek łączących żebra z mostkiem. Może powodować uczucie pieczenia w obszarze piersi, które może być mylone z bólem pochodzącym z tkanki piersiowej.4748

Farmakologiczne przyczyny bólu

Stosowanie niektórych leków wiąże się z występowaniem bólu piersi jako działania niepożądanego.49 Do leków, które mogą powodować ból piersi, należą:5051

  • Hormonalne leki antykoncepcyjne (tabletki antykoncepcyjne)
  • Hormonalna terapia zastępcza (HTZ)
  • Leki stosowane w leczeniu niepłodności
  • Selektywne inhibitory wychwytu zwrotnego serotoniny (SSRI) i inne leki przeciwdepresyjne
  • Leki psychotropowe (np. chlorpromazyna i inne leki przeciwpsychotyczne)
  • Leki moczopędne (diuretyki)
  • Preparaty naparstnicy
  • Metyldopa
  • Spironolakton
  • Niektóre antybiotyki

Ból piersi związany z terapią hormonalną wynika z wpływu egzogennych hormonów na tkankę piersiową, który może naśladować lub nasilać fizjologiczne zmiany zachodzące podczas cyklu miesiączkowego.52

Inne czynniki ryzyka i przyczyny bólu piersi

Istnieją dodatkowe czynniki, które mogą zwiększać ryzyko wystąpienia bólu piersi lub wpływać na jego nasilenie:5354

  • Nadmierne spożycie kofeiny
  • Dieta wysokotłuszczowa
  • Wysokie spożycie soli
  • Palenie tytoniu (zwiększa poziom epinefryny w tkance piersiowej)
  • Spożywanie alkoholu
  • Nieodpowiednio dopasowany biustonosz (zbyt ciasny lub nie zapewniający odpowiedniego wsparcia)
  • Intensywna aktywność fizyczna bez odpowiedniego wsparcia dla piersi
  • Stres i lęk

Badania wskazują na potencjalny związek między nadmiernym spożyciem kofeiny a bólem piersi, chociaż potrzebne są dalsze badania w tym zakresie.55 Ograniczenie spożycia kofeiny i przyjęcie zrównoważonej diety może pomóc w leczeniu bólu piersi u niektórych osób.56

Zły dobór biustonosza może powodować ból piersi, szczególnie u kobiet z większymi piersiami. Biustonosz, który jest zbyt ciasny lub zawiera fiszbiny wbijające się w skórę lub tkankę piersiową, może powodować dyskomfort i ból.5758

Ból piersi a nowotwór piersi

Ważne jest podkreślenie, że ból piersi rzadko jest objawem raka piersi.5960 Ryzyko raka u kobiety zgłaszającej się z bólem piersi jako izolowanym objawem jest niezwykle niskie, a ból piersi jest jednym z najmniej powiązanych objawów z rakiem piersi, obecnym tylko u 0,5% do 2% pacjentek później zdiagnozowanych z nowotworem.61

Jednak w rzadkich przypadkach ból piersi może być związany z nowotworem piersi, szczególnie z rzadkim typem – rakiem zapalnym piersi, który może objawiać się bólem, zaczerwienienem i obrzękiem.6263 Jeśli ból piersi utrzymuje się, nasila się lub jest zlokalizowany w jednym miejscu, zwłaszcza u kobiet po 40. roku życia, należy skonsultować się z lekarzem.64

Ból piersi w szczególnych grupach pacjentów

Mężczyźni

Ból piersi może również występować u mężczyzn, najczęściej w związku z ginekomastią (powiększeniem tkanki piersiowej u mężczyzn).6566 Ginekomastia może wynikać z zaburzeń hormonalnych, stosowania niektórych leków, marskości wątroby i innych stanów.6768

Kobiety w ciąży

W czasie ciąży organizm kobiety zaczyna produkować więcej hormonów niż zwykle, szczególnie estrogenów. Bezpośrednio wpływa to na piersi, często powodując ból i tkliwość obu piersi, szczególnie w pierwszym trymestrze.6970

Karmienie piersią

Ból piersi w czasie karmienia piersią może być spowodowany różnymi czynnikami:7172

  • Nieprawidłowe przystawienie dziecka do piersi
  • Obrzęk piersi, gdy piersi przepełniają się mlekiem
  • Zatkane przewody mleczne
  • Zapalenie piersi (mastitis)
  • Pleśniawki jamy ustnej u dziecka (zakażenie grzybicze)

Osoby transpłciowe

Ból piersi może również wystąpić u osób transpłciowych przechodzących terapię hormonalną w ramach korekty płci.73 Terapia estrogenowa u kobiet transpłciowych może prowadzić do rozwoju tkanki piersiowej i związanego z tym bólu, podobnie jak w okresie dojrzewania u osób urodzonych jako kobiety.74

Podsumowanie przyczyn bólu piersi

Ból piersi (mastalgia) jest powszechnym objawem, który może mieć wiele przyczyn. Najczęściej jest związany z fizjologicznymi zmianami hormonalnymi w cyklu miesiączkowym, ale może również wynikać z innych czynników, takich jak zmiany włóknisto-torbielowate, stosowanie niektórych leków, infekcje, urazy czy problemy z sąsiadującymi strukturami anatomicznymi. Chociaż ból piersi może być niepokojący, rzadko jest objawem raka piersi.7576

Właściwa ocena charakteru bólu (cykliczny czy niecykliczny), jego lokalizacji i czynników nasilających jest kluczowa dla ustalenia przyczyny i wdrożenia odpowiedniego postępowania terapeutycznego. Większość przypadków bólu piersi można skutecznie leczyć prostymi metodami, takimi jak stosowanie odpowiedniego biustonosza, modyfikacje diety i stylu życia oraz leki przeciwbólowe. W przypadkach utrzymującego się lub nasilającego się bólu, zwłaszcza u kobiet po 40. roku życia, wskazana jest konsultacja lekarska w celu wykluczenia poważniejszych przyczyn.7778

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  1. 09.04.2026
  2. www.leksykon.com.pl

Materiały źródłowe

  • #1 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Breast pain (mastalgia) is experienced by 70% of women during their lifetime and may be considered a physiological symptom rather like painful menses, but remains a common presentation in primary care. […] Despite an absence of evidence suggesting that mastalgia alone is associated with breast cancer, it is still commonly referred to secondary care breast units in one study it accounted for 41% of referrals. […] Cyclical breast pain is the condition experienced by two-thirds of patients with true mastalgia. It is influenced by hormonal changes over the menstrual cycle, usually worsening in the last week of a cycle and relieved at the onset of menses. […] Noncyclical breast pain accounts for around one-third of patients with true mastalgia. It does not follow a menstrual pattern. Causes could be large pendulous breasts, breast cysts, pregnancy, thrombophlebitis, trauma, and previous breast surgery.
  • #2 Breast Pain (Causes, Symptoms and Treatment)
    https://patient.info/doctor/breast-pain-pro
    Up to 70% of women will experience breast pain in their lifetime. […] In patients attending for breast problems in specialist clinics and general practice, breast pain is the most common symptom. […] The most important conditions to exclude are breast cancer, pregnancy and infection. There are, however, numerous potential causes of breast pain, including cyclical breast pain, non-cyclical breast pain, mastitis, breast trauma, thrombophlebitis/Mondor’s syndrome, breast cysts, benign breast tumours, and breast cancer. […] Non-cyclical breast pain responds poorly to treatment but resolves spontaneously in 50% of women. […] In cyclical breast pain, 60% of patients will show a successful response to therapy, but recurrence is generally seen within two years, while 20% to 30% will show complete resolution.
  • #3 Breast Pain: Tenderness, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15469-breast-pain-mastalgia
    Breast pain is common and can happen to anyone. Its usually not a sign of breast cancer. Rather, its due to hormonal changes, medications or infection. […] Things like hormonal changes (due to medications or menstruation), wearing a poor-fitting bra or infection can cause breast pain. A condition called gynecomastia is the most common cause of breast pain in men. Most cases of breast pain arent due to breast cancer. […] Common causes of breast pain can be hormones, infections, noncancerous cysts and more. Breast pain can happen for many reasons. Some are related to your menstrual cycle, but other causes can be infection, cysts or hormone therapy. […] Noncyclic breast pain causes may include: Birth control pills, Pregnancy, Infections like mastitis, Inflammation, Hormone therapy, Prior radiation therapy, Antidepressant medications like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), Breast cysts, Fibroadenomas (noncancerous lumps), Costochondritis (inflammation in the cartilage in your breastbone), Surgical scars, Trauma or injury.
  • #4 Breast Pain – Causes and Symptoms – National Breast Cancer Foundation
    https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-pain/
    Breast pain is any discomfort, tenderness, or pain in the breast or underarm region, and it may occur for a number of reasons. Breast pain usually isn’t a sign of breast cancer. […] Although many women with pain in one or both breasts may be concerned that it is breast cancer, breast pain is NOT commonly a symptom of cancer. […] There are a number of harmless causes for breast pain and tenderness that may primarily be related to changes in hormone levels. These can include: Puberty in girls and sometimes for boys, too; Menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS); Pregnancy – more often during the first trimester; Days following childbirth as milk comes in; Breastfeeding Mastitis, which is caused by a milk duct that is not properly draining and becomes infected, should be treated. It has no correlation with cancer, but it can become a serious infection if left untreated; Menopause; A breast abscess, which is an infection inside of the breast, similar to a boil; A benign cyst.
  • #5 Breast Pain (Causes, Symptoms and Treatment)
    https://patient.info/doctor/breast-pain-pro
    Breast pain is one of the most common breast symptoms experienced by women, and management requires careful assessment and diagnosis. […] The risk of cancer in a woman presenting with breast pain as an isolated symptom is extremely low as breast pain is one of the least associated symptoms of breast cancer, present only in 0.5% to 2% of patients later diagnosed with cancer. […] Breast pain and tenderness may occur in men who develop gynaecomastia secondary to medication, hormonal factors, cirrhosis and other conditions. […] Cyclical breast pain is confined to women but both non-cyclical breast pain and extramammary pain can occur in men. […] The classification is important because the assessment, management and response to treatment are different for the different types of breast pain.
  • #6 Why Do My Breasts Hurt? Understanding Breast Pain Causes
    https://www.webmd.com/women/why-do-my-breasts-hurt
    What Causes Breast Pain? […] It’s important to track the cause of breast pain, also known as „mastalgia.” […] Doctors group breast pain into two categories: cyclical breast pain and noncyclical breast pain. […] Cyclical breast pain is the most common type and usually happens due to hormone changes. […] Noncyclical happens due to other factors unrelated to hormones. […] Most breast pain seems to relate to the levels of two hormones estrogen and progesterone in your body. […] Breastfeeding itself can cause nipple pain as your baby latches on to them. […] This is likely linked to hormones, as well. […] If there’s an imbalance of these acids in your cells, your breasts can be more sensitive to hormones. […] Breast pain can be triggered by reasons other than hormones. […] Though mastitis usually occurs in those who are breastfeeding, it can happen to anyone.
  • #7 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Breast pain (mastalgia) is experienced by 70% of women during their lifetime and may be considered a physiological symptom rather like painful menses, but remains a common presentation in primary care. […] Despite an absence of evidence suggesting that mastalgia alone is associated with breast cancer, it is still commonly referred to secondary care breast units in one study it accounted for 41% of referrals. […] Cyclical breast pain is the condition experienced by two-thirds of patients with true mastalgia. It is influenced by hormonal changes over the menstrual cycle, usually worsening in the last week of a cycle and relieved at the onset of menses. […] Noncyclical breast pain accounts for around one-third of patients with true mastalgia. It does not follow a menstrual pattern. Causes could be large pendulous breasts, breast cysts, pregnancy, thrombophlebitis, trauma, and previous breast surgery.
  • #8 Why Do My Breasts Hurt? Understanding Breast Pain Causes
    https://www.webmd.com/women/why-do-my-breasts-hurt
    What Causes Breast Pain? […] It’s important to track the cause of breast pain, also known as „mastalgia.” […] Doctors group breast pain into two categories: cyclical breast pain and noncyclical breast pain. […] Cyclical breast pain is the most common type and usually happens due to hormone changes. […] Noncyclical happens due to other factors unrelated to hormones. […] Most breast pain seems to relate to the levels of two hormones estrogen and progesterone in your body. […] Breastfeeding itself can cause nipple pain as your baby latches on to them. […] This is likely linked to hormones, as well. […] If there’s an imbalance of these acids in your cells, your breasts can be more sensitive to hormones. […] Breast pain can be triggered by reasons other than hormones. […] Though mastitis usually occurs in those who are breastfeeding, it can happen to anyone.
  • #9 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Breast pain (mastalgia) is experienced by 70% of women during their lifetime and may be considered a physiological symptom rather like painful menses, but remains a common presentation in primary care. […] Despite an absence of evidence suggesting that mastalgia alone is associated with breast cancer, it is still commonly referred to secondary care breast units in one study it accounted for 41% of referrals. […] Cyclical breast pain is the condition experienced by two-thirds of patients with true mastalgia. It is influenced by hormonal changes over the menstrual cycle, usually worsening in the last week of a cycle and relieved at the onset of menses. […] Noncyclical breast pain accounts for around one-third of patients with true mastalgia. It does not follow a menstrual pattern. Causes could be large pendulous breasts, breast cysts, pregnancy, thrombophlebitis, trauma, and previous breast surgery.
  • #10 When to Worry About Breast Pain: Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment
    https://www.healthline.com/health/womens-health/when-to-worry-about-breast-pain
    Occasional breast pain is normal. However, if this pain becomes persistent or grows, it may be time to talk with a doctor. […] Breast pain can be worrisome, but its not usually a cause for concern. […] Hormones play a big role in the development of breast tissue and the pain that can develop there. This is especially true in women, as hormone fluctuations cause ducts and glands in the breasts to grow and shrink in cycles. […] While anyone can experience breast pain, its more common in people with female sex hormones like estrogen and progesterone. These hormones play a big role in the fluctuation of breast tissue structure and size. […] During significant hormonal shifts like pregnancy and while breastfeeding, breast pain or tenderness is actually expected. […] Most types of breast pain fit into two categories: cyclic and noncyclic breast pain.
  • #11 Breast Pain | AAFP
    https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2016/0515/p872.html
    Breast pain (mastalgia) may be cyclic (worse before a period) or noncyclic, originating from the breast or the chest wall, and occurs at some time in 70% of women. […] Breast pain is most common in women 30 to 50 years of age. […] Up to 70% of women develop breast pain in their lifetime. […] Cyclic breast pain resolves spontaneously within three months of onset in 20% to 30% of women. The pain tends to relapse and remit, and up to 60% of women develop recurrent symptoms two years after treatment. Noncyclic pain responds poorly to treatment but may resolve spontaneously in about 50% of women.
  • #12 Breast Pain – Women’s Health Issues – Merck Manual Consumer Version
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/women-s-health-issues/breast-disorders/breast-pain
    Many women experience breast pain. Breast pain may occur in one or both breasts. […] Likely causes of breast pain depend on whether the pain is felt in a particular place or throughout the whole breast. […] If pain occurs in one area, it may be caused by breast cysts. Uncommonly, breast infections, such as an abscess. […] If pain affects the whole breast, it may be caused by hormonal changes, fibrocystic changes, large breasts that stretch supporting tissues, or occasionally, a widespread breast infection. […] Changes in the levels of the female hormones estrogen and progesterone can cause breast pain. Levels of these hormones increase just before or during a menstrual period and during pregnancy. When these levels increase, they cause the milk glands and ducts of the breasts to enlarge and the breasts to retain fluid. The breasts then become swollen and sometimes painful. Such pain is usually felt throughout the breasts, making them tender to touch.
  • #13 Breast pain – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350423
    Breast pain can be cyclic or noncyclic. […] Changing hormone levels can cause changes in the milk ducts or milk glands. These changes in the ducts and glands can cause breast cysts, which can be painful and are a common cause of cyclic breast pain. Noncyclic breast pain may be caused by trauma, prior breast surgery or other factors. […] Breast pain is more common among people who haven’t completed menopause, although it may occur after menopause. Breast pain can also occur in men who have gynecomastia, and in transgender people who are undergoing gender reassignment. […] Other factors that may increase the risk of breast pain include: Breast size. People who have large breasts may experience noncyclic breast pain related to the size of their breasts. Neck, shoulder and back pain may accompany breast pain that’s caused by large breasts. Breast surgery. Breast pain associated with breast surgery and scar formation can sometimes linger after incisions have healed. Fatty acid imbalance. An imbalance of fatty acids within the cells may affect the sensitivity of breast tissue to circulating hormones. Medication use. Certain hormonal medications, including some infertility treatments and oral birth control pills, may be associated with breast pain. Breast tenderness is a possible side effect of estrogen and progesterone hormone therapies that are used after menopause. Breast pain may be associated with certain antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Other medicines that can cause breast pain include those used to treat high blood pressure and some antibiotics. Excessive caffeine use. Although more research is needed, some people notice an improvement in breast pain when they reduce or eliminate caffeine.
  • #14 Why do my breasts hurt? 9 common causes of breast pain and how to manage them
    https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/9-common-causes-of-breast-pain
    Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, is a common concern among women. Although common, it can be alarming but keep in mind that breast pain is rarely a sign of a serious underlying condition. Its unusual for breast cancer to cause pain. More often than not, its caused by factors such as hormonal fluctuations, infection, injury or lifestyle habits. […] Cyclical breast pain, the most prevalent type, is directly linked to hormonal shifts. […] Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also cause painful or tender breasts, especially in the first trimester. […] Non-cyclical breast pain, as the name suggests, does not follow a predictable pattern and is often unrelated to hormonal changes. […] An injury to the breast or chest wall, such as a bruise or muscle strain, can cause localized pain.
  • #15 Cyclical Breast Pain: Common Causes and When to Get a Mammogram – RAI
    https://4rai.com/2022/12/15/cyclical-breast-pain-common-causes-and-when-to-get-a-mammogram/
    Do you have breast pain that seems to come and go every month? It may be cyclical breast pain. […] Cyclical breast pain typically appears about a week before a woman gets her period. […] Also known as mastalgia, cyclical breast pain is the most common breast complaint females have during their reproductive years. […] Many women who experience cyclical breast pain worry that it is the result of cancer. Breast cancer can cause lumps that may be quite painful, but breast pain all by itself does not necessarily indicate cancer. […] Medical researchers have not yet uncovered the exact cause of cyclic breast pain, but most think mastalgia develops as the result of variations of hormones during the menstrual cycle. […] More specifically, the periodic discomfort develops as the result of estrogen, a female reproductive hormone. […] Estrogen levels rise and fall during the monthly menstrual cycle, and the fluctuations in estrogen levels affect the breasts. […] Breast pain may also be non-cyclic, which has nothing to do with your menstrual cycle. This type of breast pain is more common in women who are 40 to 50 years old.
  • #16 Content – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester Medical Center
    https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P00154
    Mastalgia is breast pain. There are 2 main types of mastalgia: […] The pain can range from minor discomfort to severely disabling pain in some cases. Many people with breast pain are afraid they may have breast cancer. But breast pain is rarely linked to breast cancer. It should not be considered a possible symptom of breast cancer. […] The most common type of breast pain is linked to the menstrual cycle. It is nearly always hormonal. […] Researchers continue to study the role that hormones play in cyclical mastalgia. One study has suggested that some people with this condition have less progesterone than they do estrogen in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Other studies have found that an abnormality in the hormone prolactin may affect breast pain. […] Hormones may not provide the total answer to cyclical breast pain.
  • #17 Content – Health Encyclopedia – University of Rochester Medical Center
    https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content?contenttypeid=85&contentid=P00154
    Mastalgia is breast pain. There are 2 main types of mastalgia: […] The pain can range from minor discomfort to severely disabling pain in some cases. Many people with breast pain are afraid they may have breast cancer. But breast pain is rarely linked to breast cancer. It should not be considered a possible symptom of breast cancer. […] The most common type of breast pain is linked to the menstrual cycle. It is nearly always hormonal. […] Researchers continue to study the role that hormones play in cyclical mastalgia. One study has suggested that some people with this condition have less progesterone than they do estrogen in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Other studies have found that an abnormality in the hormone prolactin may affect breast pain. […] Hormones may not provide the total answer to cyclical breast pain.
  • #18 Breast Pain: Types, Causes, and Treatments
    https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-pain
    Developmental stages that affect the menstrual cycle and may cause breast pain include: puberty, pregnancy, menopause. […] Breast pain can have other causes, including: extramammary concerns, poor-fitting bras, breast surgery, medications, smoking. […] Breast pain is not typically associated with breast cancer. […] Breast pain or fibrocystic breasts does not mean you have a higher risk of developing cancer. […] Breast pain can have many causes that range from hormone fluctuations to certain medications to pain from an injury.
  • #19 Breast Pain – Causes and Symptoms – National Breast Cancer Foundation
    https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-pain/
    Breast pain is any discomfort, tenderness, or pain in the breast or underarm region, and it may occur for a number of reasons. Breast pain usually isn’t a sign of breast cancer. […] Although many women with pain in one or both breasts may be concerned that it is breast cancer, breast pain is NOT commonly a symptom of cancer. […] There are a number of harmless causes for breast pain and tenderness that may primarily be related to changes in hormone levels. These can include: Puberty in girls and sometimes for boys, too; Menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS); Pregnancy – more often during the first trimester; Days following childbirth as milk comes in; Breastfeeding Mastitis, which is caused by a milk duct that is not properly draining and becomes infected, should be treated. It has no correlation with cancer, but it can become a serious infection if left untreated; Menopause; A breast abscess, which is an infection inside of the breast, similar to a boil; A benign cyst.
  • #20 Breast pain – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350423
    Breast pain can be cyclic or noncyclic. […] Changing hormone levels can cause changes in the milk ducts or milk glands. These changes in the ducts and glands can cause breast cysts, which can be painful and are a common cause of cyclic breast pain. Noncyclic breast pain may be caused by trauma, prior breast surgery or other factors. […] Breast pain is more common among people who haven’t completed menopause, although it may occur after menopause. Breast pain can also occur in men who have gynecomastia, and in transgender people who are undergoing gender reassignment. […] Other factors that may increase the risk of breast pain include: Breast size. People who have large breasts may experience noncyclic breast pain related to the size of their breasts. Neck, shoulder and back pain may accompany breast pain that’s caused by large breasts. Breast surgery. Breast pain associated with breast surgery and scar formation can sometimes linger after incisions have healed. Fatty acid imbalance. An imbalance of fatty acids within the cells may affect the sensitivity of breast tissue to circulating hormones. Medication use. Certain hormonal medications, including some infertility treatments and oral birth control pills, may be associated with breast pain. Breast tenderness is a possible side effect of estrogen and progesterone hormone therapies that are used after menopause. Breast pain may be associated with certain antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Other medicines that can cause breast pain include those used to treat high blood pressure and some antibiotics. Excessive caffeine use. Although more research is needed, some people notice an improvement in breast pain when they reduce or eliminate caffeine.
  • #21 Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint – Harvard Health
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/breast-pain-not-just-a-premenopausal-complaint
    Breast pain, sometimes referred to as mastalgia, is either cyclical (the most common type) or noncyclical. […] Cyclical breast pain. This is the kind that’s linked to menstruation and apparently results from monthly fluctuations of the hormones estrogen and progesterone. […] Noncyclical breast pain. This type of breast pain isn’t obviously linked to menstruation and doesn’t follow any predictable pattern. It may be constant or intermittent, may affect one breast or both, and may involve the whole breast or just a small part. Noncyclical pain is usually a symptom of a specific problem, such as a cyst, trauma, or a benign tumor. […] Some research suggests that an imbalance in fatty acids within cells plays a role in breast pain, perhaps by sensitizing breast tissue to hormonal changes.
  • #22 Causes Of Breast Pain – Women’s Health Network
    https://www.womenshealthnetwork.com/breast-health/causes-of-breast-pain/
    Along with hormonal changes related to the menstrual cycle or perimenopause, other factors can contribute to breast pain or make it even worse: Hormone medications. The most common medications that cause breast pain are pills with hormones in them either birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy (HRT). […] Simple breast cysts. These fluid-filled sacs in the breast are common in women before menopause but they can happen at any age. […] If breast pain persists for several months and does not appear to be cyclic, then a few standard medical tests, a chest x-ray, thyroid tests and a dental exam should be done to rule out other issues. […] Cyclic breast pain can be made worse by what we eat or drink. Consider limiting caffeine because it contains a chemical called methylxanthine that causes blood vessels to dilate.
  • #23 Common Causes of Breast Pain | LifeMD
    https://lifemd.com/learn/why-do-my-boobs-hurt
    Conditions such as acid reflux, costochondritis, gallbladder problems, or stomach issues can sometimes cause this type of pain. […] Breast tenderness and pain are often caused by hormonal fluctuations, especially in estrogen and progesterone. […] Women often experience breast pain before their menstrual period, and during pregnancy, elevated hormone levels can also cause breast tenderness, frequently as an early sign that may persist through the first trimester. […] Research shows that 70% of women will experience breast pain due to their menstrual cycle at some point in their lives. […] When we experience mental or emotional stress, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol, which disrupts the balance of reproductive hormones. […] Higher levels of stress can lead to more intense and unusual premenstrual symptoms (PMS) compared to your typical experience.
  • #24 Common Causes of Breast Pain | LifeMD
    https://lifemd.com/learn/why-do-my-boobs-hurt
    Conditions such as acid reflux, costochondritis, gallbladder problems, or stomach issues can sometimes cause this type of pain. […] Breast tenderness and pain are often caused by hormonal fluctuations, especially in estrogen and progesterone. […] Women often experience breast pain before their menstrual period, and during pregnancy, elevated hormone levels can also cause breast tenderness, frequently as an early sign that may persist through the first trimester. […] Research shows that 70% of women will experience breast pain due to their menstrual cycle at some point in their lives. […] When we experience mental or emotional stress, our bodies release a hormone called cortisol, which disrupts the balance of reproductive hormones. […] Higher levels of stress can lead to more intense and unusual premenstrual symptoms (PMS) compared to your typical experience.
  • #25 Breast Pain (Mastalgia) – Stanford Medicine Children’s Health
    https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=breast-pain-mastalgia-85-P00154
    Mastalgia is breast pain. There are 2 main types of mastalgia: Cyclical breast pain. The pain is linked to menstrual periods. Noncyclic breast pain. The pain may come from the breast. Or it may come from somewhere else, such as nearby muscles or joints, and may be felt in the breast. The pain can range from minor discomfort to severely disabling pain in some cases. Many women with breast pain are afraid they may have breast cancer. But breast pain is rarely linked to breast cancer. It should not be considered a possible symptom of breast cancer. […] The most common type of breast pain is linked to the menstrual cycle. It is nearly always hormonal. Some women begin to have pain around the time of ovulation. The pain continues until the start of their menstrual cycle. […] Researchers continue to study the role that hormones play in cyclical mastalgia. One study has suggested that some women with this condition have less progesterone than they do estrogen in the second half of the menstrual cycle. Other studies have found that an abnormality in the hormone prolactin may affect breast pain. Hormones can also affect cyclical breast pain due to stress. Breast pain can increase or change its pattern with the hormone changes that happen during times of stress.
  • #26 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Breast pain (mastalgia) is experienced by 70% of women during their lifetime and may be considered a physiological symptom rather like painful menses, but remains a common presentation in primary care. […] Despite an absence of evidence suggesting that mastalgia alone is associated with breast cancer, it is still commonly referred to secondary care breast units in one study it accounted for 41% of referrals. […] Cyclical breast pain is the condition experienced by two-thirds of patients with true mastalgia. It is influenced by hormonal changes over the menstrual cycle, usually worsening in the last week of a cycle and relieved at the onset of menses. […] Noncyclical breast pain accounts for around one-third of patients with true mastalgia. It does not follow a menstrual pattern. Causes could be large pendulous breasts, breast cysts, pregnancy, thrombophlebitis, trauma, and previous breast surgery.
  • #27 Mastalgia – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562195/
    Mastalgia, or breast pain, affects up to 70% of women and is a frequent concern in primary care, though it is rarely linked to breast cancer. […] Noncyclic pain, unrelated to the menstrual cycle, can stem from factors such as large breasts, cysts, trauma, or inflammation. […] The exact etiology of mastalgia remains undefined; however, potential causes of breast pain can be classified into 3 major categories: cyclic, noncyclical, and extramammary. […] Cyclic breast pain, the most common type of mastalgia, is primarily caused by physiologic hormonal changes associated with the menstrual cycle or exogenous hormones cyclically administered (eg, contraception, ovulation induction, regulation of menstrual cycles). […] Noncyclic breast pain, accounting for one-third of cases, is more associated with structural or anatomic etiologies rather than hormonal influences.
  • #28 Breast Pain (Sore Breasts): Cyclical and Non Cyclical
    https://patient.info/womens-health/breast-problems/breast-pain
    Most women develop breast pain (mastalgia) at some stage in life. In most cases the pain develops in the days just before a period. […] Up to 7 in 10 women develop breast pain (mastalgia) at some stage in their lives. Breast pain is usually classed as either cyclical or non-cyclical: […] Non-cyclical breast pain may be due to: Pain coming from the breast itself – for example, infection or breastfeeding; or Pain which does not come from the breast itself. […] Non-cyclical breast pain is most common in women aged over 40. The pain may be in just one breast and may be localised to one area in a breast. […] Pain coming from the breast tissue itself without any lumps, tumours, or other abnormality being found. The reason why this type of pain occurs is not known. […] Breast tumours, cancer and lumps are a very uncommon cause of breast pain and tenderness. Fluid-filled lumps (cysts) are sometimes painful. However, it is very unusual for breast cancer to cause pain without there being a lump to feel. […] Women with breast pain often worry that the pain is a sign of breast cancer. However, the first symptom of breast cancer is usually a painless lump. Pain is not usually an early symptom.
  • #29 Breast pain | Breast Cancer Now
    https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-lumps-and-benign-not-cancer-breast-conditions/breast-pain/
    Breast pain is very common in women of all ages and can also affect men. […] It can have lots of different causes but, on its own, breast pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer. […] Many women have breast pain as part of their normal menstrual cycle (periods). This is called cyclical breast pain. […] Lasting pain in the breast thats not related to periods is known as non-cyclical breast pain. […] Its often unclear what causes non-cyclical breast pain. […] It can be related to: A benign (not cancer) breast condition, Previous surgery to the breast, Injury to the breast, Having larger breasts, A side effect from a drug treatment, such as certain antidepressant drugs, and some herbal remedies such as ginseng, Stress and anxiety. […] Non-cyclical breast pain may be continuous or it may come and go.
  • #30 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Breast pain (mastalgia) is experienced by 70% of women during their lifetime and may be considered a physiological symptom rather like painful menses, but remains a common presentation in primary care. […] Despite an absence of evidence suggesting that mastalgia alone is associated with breast cancer, it is still commonly referred to secondary care breast units in one study it accounted for 41% of referrals. […] Cyclical breast pain is the condition experienced by two-thirds of patients with true mastalgia. It is influenced by hormonal changes over the menstrual cycle, usually worsening in the last week of a cycle and relieved at the onset of menses. […] Noncyclical breast pain accounts for around one-third of patients with true mastalgia. It does not follow a menstrual pattern. Causes could be large pendulous breasts, breast cysts, pregnancy, thrombophlebitis, trauma, and previous breast surgery.
  • #31 Breast pain | Breast Cancer Now
    https://breastcancernow.org/about-breast-cancer/breast-lumps-and-benign-not-cancer-breast-conditions/breast-pain/
    Breast pain is very common in women of all ages and can also affect men. […] It can have lots of different causes but, on its own, breast pain is rarely a sign of breast cancer. […] Many women have breast pain as part of their normal menstrual cycle (periods). This is called cyclical breast pain. […] Lasting pain in the breast thats not related to periods is known as non-cyclical breast pain. […] Its often unclear what causes non-cyclical breast pain. […] It can be related to: A benign (not cancer) breast condition, Previous surgery to the breast, Injury to the breast, Having larger breasts, A side effect from a drug treatment, such as certain antidepressant drugs, and some herbal remedies such as ginseng, Stress and anxiety. […] Non-cyclical breast pain may be continuous or it may come and go.
  • #32 Breast pain – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350423
    Breast pain can be cyclic or noncyclic. […] Changing hormone levels can cause changes in the milk ducts or milk glands. These changes in the ducts and glands can cause breast cysts, which can be painful and are a common cause of cyclic breast pain. Noncyclic breast pain may be caused by trauma, prior breast surgery or other factors. […] Breast pain is more common among people who haven’t completed menopause, although it may occur after menopause. Breast pain can also occur in men who have gynecomastia, and in transgender people who are undergoing gender reassignment. […] Other factors that may increase the risk of breast pain include: Breast size. People who have large breasts may experience noncyclic breast pain related to the size of their breasts. Neck, shoulder and back pain may accompany breast pain that’s caused by large breasts. Breast surgery. Breast pain associated with breast surgery and scar formation can sometimes linger after incisions have healed. Fatty acid imbalance. An imbalance of fatty acids within the cells may affect the sensitivity of breast tissue to circulating hormones. Medication use. Certain hormonal medications, including some infertility treatments and oral birth control pills, may be associated with breast pain. Breast tenderness is a possible side effect of estrogen and progesterone hormone therapies that are used after menopause. Breast pain may be associated with certain antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Other medicines that can cause breast pain include those used to treat high blood pressure and some antibiotics. Excessive caffeine use. Although more research is needed, some people notice an improvement in breast pain when they reduce or eliminate caffeine.
  • #33 12 Causes of Breast Pain
    https://www.health.com/condition/breast-cancer/breast-pain
    An ill-fitting bra can cause pain even if you don’t have large breasts. A too-big bra isn’t going to support you very well. A too-small bra isn’t much better since it might feel restrictive and uncomfortable. […] Inflammatory breast cancer is one of the few types of breast cancer that may involve pain. This rare and aggressive form of the disease accounts for about 1% to 5% of all breast cancers. […] Large breasts can cause enough strain that they stretch breast ligaments and tissues. This can cause pain in your breasts and possibly in your back, neck, and shoulders. […] People approaching menopause might experience a painful widening and thickening of the milk duct called duct ectasia. […] A strain to your chest muscles after a challenging workout might feel like breast pain even though the injury is elsewhere.
  • #34 Fibrocystic breasts – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibrocystic-breasts/symptoms-causes/syc-20350438
    Fibrocystic breast changes lead to the development of fluid-filled round or oval sacs, called cysts. The cysts can make breasts feel tender, lumpy or ropy. […] Some people experience breast pain, tenderness and lumpiness especially in the upper, outer area of the breasts. Breast symptoms tend to be most bothersome just before menstruation and get better afterward. […] The exact cause of fibrocystic breast changes isn’t known, but experts suspect that reproductive hormones especially estrogen play a role. […] Fluctuating hormone levels during the menstrual cycle can cause breast discomfort and areas of lumpy breast tissue that feel tender, sore and swollen. Fibrocystic breast changes tend to be more bothersome before your menstrual period and ease up after your period begins.
  • #35 Fibrocystic breasts – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fibrocystic-breasts/symptoms-causes/syc-20350438
    Fibrocystic breast changes lead to the development of fluid-filled round or oval sacs, called cysts. The cysts can make breasts feel tender, lumpy or ropy. […] Some people experience breast pain, tenderness and lumpiness especially in the upper, outer area of the breasts. Breast symptoms tend to be most bothersome just before menstruation and get better afterward. […] The exact cause of fibrocystic breast changes isn’t known, but experts suspect that reproductive hormones especially estrogen play a role. […] Fluctuating hormone levels during the menstrual cycle can cause breast discomfort and areas of lumpy breast tissue that feel tender, sore and swollen. Fibrocystic breast changes tend to be more bothersome before your menstrual period and ease up after your period begins.
  • #36 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Inflammatory conditions such as mastitis (both lactational and non-lactational) and breast abscess are painful, and cause characteristic changes in the breast such as erythema, induration, swelling, and focal pain, which can be identified on examination. […] Extra-mammary breast pain is now the commonest type of mastalgia referred to breast clinics. It can be caused by musculoskeletal pain, costochondritis (Tietzes syndrome), or radicular pain due to cervical arthritis. […] The management of extra-mammary pain requires a positive diagnosis and exclusion of breast pain by clinical assessment. […] Careful assessment is essential to avoid unnecessary referral, which can lead to anxiety or over-investigation. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that: breast pain is not a criteria for urgent referral, with a positive predictive value of 3% for breast cancer.
  • #37 11 causes of breast pain and how to manage them
    https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/311833
    Breast pain, or mastalgia, is very common. Possible causes of breast pain include hormonal changes, an incorrect bra fit, and infections. […] Tender or swollen breasts are usually related to the hormonal changes before a period, pregnancy, or menopause. This type of breast pain usually causes tenderness in both breasts, and it may extend to the armpit. […] Mastitis is the term for inflammation or swelling in the breasts. The usual cause is an infection. […] Some medications can contribute to the development of breast pain. […] Both surgery and radiation therapy for breast cancer can cause scar tissue formation. […] Breast pain can originate from outside the breast rather than within it. For example, sprains or injuries in the back, neck, or shoulder might cause pain that a person feels in the breast.
  • #38 Breastfeeding – mastitis and other nipple and breast problems | Better Health Channel
    https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/breastfeeding-mastitis-and-other-nipple-and-breast-problems
    Incorrect attachment of the baby on the breast is the most common cause of nipple pain from breastfeeding. […] Mastitis is caused by a blocked milk duct leading to inflammation or by a bacterial infection. […] Nipple or breast pain is not a normal part of breastfeeding. […] Mastitis means inflammation of the breast. It can be caused by blocked milk ducts (non-infective mastitis) or a bacterial infection (infective mastitis). […] Factors that predispose a woman to blocked milk ducts, which can lead to mastitis, include: Poor drainage of the breast this can be caused by poor attachment of the baby at your breast or limiting your baby’s time at the breast. […] Other factors that predispose a woman to mastitis include: Nipple trauma caused by incorrect attachment of the baby during feeds.
  • #39 I am having pain on one side of my left breast. Why?
    https://www.icliniq.com/qa/breast-pain/what-are-the-causes-of-breast-pain
    There could be several reasons for unilateral pain in the breast. Some possible causes of breast pain include: […] Hormonal changes: Breast pain is common during menstruation, pregnancy, and menopause, as hormonal fluctuations can cause the breasts to become tender and swollen. […] Infection: A breast infection, also known as mastitis, can cause pain, swelling, and fever. This is more common in breastfeeding women, but it can occur in non-lactating women as well. […] Cysts: Breast cysts are fluid-filled sacs that can develop in the breast tissue. They are usually benign and do not require treatment, but they can cause pain and discomfort. […] Fibrocystic breasts: Some women have breasts that are lumpy, tender, and painful, especially before their periods. This is known as fibrocystic breasts, and it is not a cause for concern.
  • #40 Breast pain – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350423
    Breast pain can be cyclic or noncyclic. […] Changing hormone levels can cause changes in the milk ducts or milk glands. These changes in the ducts and glands can cause breast cysts, which can be painful and are a common cause of cyclic breast pain. Noncyclic breast pain may be caused by trauma, prior breast surgery or other factors. […] Breast pain is more common among people who haven’t completed menopause, although it may occur after menopause. Breast pain can also occur in men who have gynecomastia, and in transgender people who are undergoing gender reassignment. […] Other factors that may increase the risk of breast pain include: Breast size. People who have large breasts may experience noncyclic breast pain related to the size of their breasts. Neck, shoulder and back pain may accompany breast pain that’s caused by large breasts. Breast surgery. Breast pain associated with breast surgery and scar formation can sometimes linger after incisions have healed. Fatty acid imbalance. An imbalance of fatty acids within the cells may affect the sensitivity of breast tissue to circulating hormones. Medication use. Certain hormonal medications, including some infertility treatments and oral birth control pills, may be associated with breast pain. Breast tenderness is a possible side effect of estrogen and progesterone hormone therapies that are used after menopause. Breast pain may be associated with certain antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Other medicines that can cause breast pain include those used to treat high blood pressure and some antibiotics. Excessive caffeine use. Although more research is needed, some people notice an improvement in breast pain when they reduce or eliminate caffeine.
  • #41 Breast Pain: Types, Causes, and Treatment Options
    https://www.verywellhealth.com/causes-for-sharp-breast-pain-429843
    After a breast injury, bruising and deep aching pain are common when underlying tissues, connective tissues, nerves, and blood vessels are damaged. […] Breast fibroadenoma is the most common type of benign breast tumor typically seen in premenopausal females. […] After any type of breast surgery, pain can occur as the incisions heal and scar tissue develops. […] There are different infections that can affect the breast, most of which are bacterial. […] In rare instances, breast pain can be a sign of breast cancer. […] In addition to mastitis, there are other non-infectious conditions that may affect the lactiferous ducts, otherwise known as the milk ducts.
  • #42 What’s Causing My Breast Pain? 10 Potential Causes | Arizona Pain
    https://arizonapain.com/breast-pain-causes/
    It is ironic that exercise—something good for you—could lead to something that feels bad. […] Although proper support is important for women of all sizes, wearing an ill-fitting bra or sports bra can be a main cause of breast pain in women with larger breasts. […] While mostly this is correct, some women do take hormonal support after menopause that mimics the menstrual cycle somewhat and may result in breast pain after menopause. […] The same hormones that cause monthly breast tenderness in some women are also responsible for breast pain during pregnancy, but it’s not a given. […] Many women struggle to find a comfortable position in which to nurse. […] Some medications have breast pain as a side effect. […] It hardly seems fair, but even after breast cancer treatment (such as mastectomy), some breast cancer survivors experience lingering pain that can become chronic.
  • #43 Mastalgia – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562195/
    Extramammary mastalgia is also noncyclical but primarily refers to breast pain that originates from a location outside the breast, eg, the heart, lung, chest wall, or esophagus. […] The use of certain medications has also been implicated with breast pain, which includes oral contraceptive pills, estrogen and progesterone hormonal therapies, certain antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and antihistamines.
  • #44 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Inflammatory conditions such as mastitis (both lactational and non-lactational) and breast abscess are painful, and cause characteristic changes in the breast such as erythema, induration, swelling, and focal pain, which can be identified on examination. […] Extra-mammary breast pain is now the commonest type of mastalgia referred to breast clinics. It can be caused by musculoskeletal pain, costochondritis (Tietzes syndrome), or radicular pain due to cervical arthritis. […] The management of extra-mammary pain requires a positive diagnosis and exclusion of breast pain by clinical assessment. […] Careful assessment is essential to avoid unnecessary referral, which can lead to anxiety or over-investigation. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that: breast pain is not a criteria for urgent referral, with a positive predictive value of 3% for breast cancer.
  • #45 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Inflammatory conditions such as mastitis (both lactational and non-lactational) and breast abscess are painful, and cause characteristic changes in the breast such as erythema, induration, swelling, and focal pain, which can be identified on examination. […] Extra-mammary breast pain is now the commonest type of mastalgia referred to breast clinics. It can be caused by musculoskeletal pain, costochondritis (Tietzes syndrome), or radicular pain due to cervical arthritis. […] The management of extra-mammary pain requires a positive diagnosis and exclusion of breast pain by clinical assessment. […] Careful assessment is essential to avoid unnecessary referral, which can lead to anxiety or over-investigation. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) states that: breast pain is not a criteria for urgent referral, with a positive predictive value of 3% for breast cancer.
  • #46 Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint – Harvard Health
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/breast-pain-not-just-a-premenopausal-complaint
    Strain in the pectoralis major muscle, which lies directly beneath and around the breast, can cause pain that feels as if it’s coming from inside the breast. […] Costochondritis an inflammation of the costal cartilages which join the ribs to the breastbone can cause a burning sensation in the breast. […] Occasionally, pain arising from heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or inflammation of the tissues lining the lungs (pleuritis) may be felt as breast pain.
  • #47 Breast pain: Not just a premenopausal complaint – Harvard Health
    https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/breast-pain-not-just-a-premenopausal-complaint
    Strain in the pectoralis major muscle, which lies directly beneath and around the breast, can cause pain that feels as if it’s coming from inside the breast. […] Costochondritis an inflammation of the costal cartilages which join the ribs to the breastbone can cause a burning sensation in the breast. […] Occasionally, pain arising from heart disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or inflammation of the tissues lining the lungs (pleuritis) may be felt as breast pain.
  • #48 Why do my breasts hurt? 9 common causes of breast pain and how to manage them
    https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/9-common-causes-of-breast-pain
    This benign condition involves the development of small, fluid-filled cysts or fibrous tissue in the breast. While it can cause breast pain, rest assured that it is not associated with an increased risk of breast cancer. […] When bacteria enter the breast tissue through a cracked nipple or milk duct, it can lead to an infection called mastitis. This condition is typically accompanied by breast pain, swelling, warmth and redness. […] Inflammation of the cartilage connecting the ribs to the breastbone can cause chest wall pain that radiates to the breasts. […] Certain medications, such as hormonal therapies, antidepressants and cardiovascular drugs, may cause breast pain as a side effect. […] Certain lifestyle factors can also contribute to or exacerbate breast pain. […] Wearing bras that are too tight or unsupportive can exert pressure on the breast tissue, leading to discomfort.
  • #49 Mastalgia – StatPearls – NCBI Bookshelf
    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK562195/
    Extramammary mastalgia is also noncyclical but primarily refers to breast pain that originates from a location outside the breast, eg, the heart, lung, chest wall, or esophagus. […] The use of certain medications has also been implicated with breast pain, which includes oral contraceptive pills, estrogen and progesterone hormonal therapies, certain antidepressants like selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and antihistamines.
  • #50 Breast pain Information | Mount Sinai – New York
    https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/symptoms/breast-pain
    Breast pain is any discomfort or pain in the breast. […] There are many possible causes for breast pain. For example, changes in the level of hormones during menstruation or pregnancy often cause breast pain. Some swelling and tenderness just before your period is normal. […] Some breast tenderness is normal. The discomfort may be caused by hormone changes from: Menopause (unless a woman is taking hormone replacement therapy), Menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS), Pregnancy — breast tenderness tends to be more common during the first trimester, Puberty in both girls and boys. […] Fibrocystic breast changes are a common cause of breast pain. Fibrocystic breast tissue contains lumps or cysts that tend to be more tender just before your menstrual period. […] Certain medicines may also cause breast pain, including: Oxymetholone, Chlorpromazine and other antipsychotic medicines, Water pills (diuretics), Digitalis preparations, Methyldopa, Spironolactone, Oral contraceptives, Estrogen replacement therapy, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine. […] Shingles can lead to pain in the breast as there is a painful blistering rash that appears on the skin of your breasts.
  • #51 Breast pain: MedlinePlus Medical EncyclopediaLock
    https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003152.htm
    Breastfeeding itself may also cause breast pain. […] Fibrocystic breast changes are a common cause of breast pain. Fibrocystic breast tissue contains lumps or cysts that tend to be more tender just before your menstrual period. […] Certain medicines may also cause breast pain, including: Oxymetholone, Chlorpromazine and other antipsychotic medicines, Water pills (diuretics), Digitalis preparations, Methyldopa, Spironolactone, Oral contraceptives, Estrogen replacement therapy, Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, such as fluoxetine. […] Shingles can lead to pain in the breast as there is a painful blistering rash that appears on the skin of your breasts.
  • #52 Breast Pain (Mastalgia) | Baylor Scott & White Health
    https://www.bswhealth.com/conditions/breast-pain-mastalgia
    Like your natural hormones, hormonal medications may cause breast pain as well. These include birth control pills, infertility treatments, hormone replacement therapy in menopause, or hormone therapy in transgender women. Other medications that can cause breast pain as a side effect include treatments for high blood pressure or heart disease, antibiotics, and some medicines for mental health conditions. […] Fibrocystic breast changes, or lumpy breasts, can also cause breast pain. These normal changes in the breasts include fibrous tissue and fluid-filled cysts. Because fibrocystic breasts are often related to hormone changes, this type of breast pain tends to be cyclical.
  • #53 Why do my breasts hurt? 9 common causes of breast pain and how to manage them
    https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/9-common-causes-of-breast-pain
    Vigorous physical activities like running or jumping can cause breast pain due to the bouncing motion. […] Studies have shown a potential link between caffeine consumption and breast pain. Although more research is needed, reducing caffeine intake and adopting a well-balanced diet may help manage breast pain for some individuals.
  • #54 Common Causes of Breast Pain | LifeMD
    https://lifemd.com/learn/why-do-my-boobs-hurt
    Breast engorgement occurs when milk builds up in the breast. […] This can be due to overproduction of milk, decreased expression of milk (breast pumping) or decreased breastfeeding. […] Smoking affects the balance of reproductive hormones, which can lead to cyclic breast pain. […] Additionally, it can reduce blood flow to the breast tissue, impairing overall breast health and potentially increasing the risk of other complications, such as delayed healing and tissue damage. […] Alcohol consumption can worsen gastrointestinal (GIT) issues, such as acid reflux or gastritis, which may lead to referred pain felt in the breast.
  • #55 Mastalgia (Breast Pain) – Gynecology and Obstetrics – Merck Manual Professional Edition
    https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/gynecology-and-obstetrics/breast-disorders/mastalgia-breast-pain
    Mastalgia (breast pain) is common and can be localized or diffuse and unilateral or bilateral. […] Localized breast pain is usually caused by a focal disorder that causes a mass, such as a breast cyst, or an infection (eg, mastitis, abscess). Most breast cancers do not cause pain. […] Diffuse bilateral pain may be caused by fibrocystic changes or, uncommonly, diffuse bilateral mastitis. However, diffuse bilateral pain is very common in women without breast abnormalities. The most common causes in these women are hormonal changes that cause breast tissue proliferation (eg, during the luteal phase or early pregnancy, in women taking estrogens or progestins) and large, pendulous breasts that stretch Cooper ligaments. […] Some studies have found that a high-fat diet and caffeine intake are associated with mastalgia, but it is uncertain whether reducing these dietary factors decreases symptoms. […] Absence of abnormal findings suggests that pain is due to hormonal changes or large, pendulous breasts. […] Diffuse, bilateral breast pain is usually caused by hormonal changes or large, pendulous breasts.
  • #56 Why do my breasts hurt? 9 common causes of breast pain and how to manage them
    https://www.bswhealth.com/blog/9-common-causes-of-breast-pain
    Vigorous physical activities like running or jumping can cause breast pain due to the bouncing motion. […] Studies have shown a potential link between caffeine consumption and breast pain. Although more research is needed, reducing caffeine intake and adopting a well-balanced diet may help manage breast pain for some individuals.
  • #57 What’s Causing My Breast Pain?
    https://www.thesource.org/post/whats-causing-my-breast-pain
    Cyclical pain generally affects both breasts equally, varies with menstrual cycle hormones, and may occur alongside tenderness, swelling, or lumpiness. […] Non-cyclical pain tends to affect one or more localized areas of one breast, is common after menopause, and the discomfort often feels sharp and burning. […] With age, breast tissue is slowly replaced by fat in a process known as involution. As this change occurs, cysts and fibrous tissue can develop, and while this tissue is not usually a cause for concern, they can cause your breasts to feel lumpy and tender. […] While a bad bra fit can cause back and shoulder pain, its also a common cause of breast pain if they are too tight or they contain an underwire that digs into the skin or breast tissue. […] Scar tissue may develop from radiation therapy for breast cancer or surgery. This kind of tissue can cause numbness or pain, an increase in firmness or a rounder appearance of the breast, and formation of a lump if the scar forms around a surgical stitch.
  • #58 12 Causes of Breast Pain
    https://www.health.com/condition/breast-cancer/breast-pain
    An ill-fitting bra can cause pain even if you don’t have large breasts. A too-big bra isn’t going to support you very well. A too-small bra isn’t much better since it might feel restrictive and uncomfortable. […] Inflammatory breast cancer is one of the few types of breast cancer that may involve pain. This rare and aggressive form of the disease accounts for about 1% to 5% of all breast cancers. […] Large breasts can cause enough strain that they stretch breast ligaments and tissues. This can cause pain in your breasts and possibly in your back, neck, and shoulders. […] People approaching menopause might experience a painful widening and thickening of the milk duct called duct ectasia. […] A strain to your chest muscles after a challenging workout might feel like breast pain even though the injury is elsewhere.
  • #59 Breast Pain – Causes and Symptoms – National Breast Cancer Foundation
    https://www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-pain/
    Breast pain is any discomfort, tenderness, or pain in the breast or underarm region, and it may occur for a number of reasons. Breast pain usually isn’t a sign of breast cancer. […] Although many women with pain in one or both breasts may be concerned that it is breast cancer, breast pain is NOT commonly a symptom of cancer. […] There are a number of harmless causes for breast pain and tenderness that may primarily be related to changes in hormone levels. These can include: Puberty in girls and sometimes for boys, too; Menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS); Pregnancy – more often during the first trimester; Days following childbirth as milk comes in; Breastfeeding Mastitis, which is caused by a milk duct that is not properly draining and becomes infected, should be treated. It has no correlation with cancer, but it can become a serious infection if left untreated; Menopause; A breast abscess, which is an infection inside of the breast, similar to a boil; A benign cyst.
  • #60 Common Causes of Breast Pain and How to Manage It — Brem Foundation
    https://www.bremfoundation.org/the-brem-blog/common-causes-of-breast-pain-and-how-to-manage-it
    Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, is exceedingly common and varies in how it presents itself. […] The good news is that in most cases, the cause of breast pain is not related to breast cancer. […] The most common type of breast pain is cyclic, where a woman might experience some tenderness, often right before or during her menstrual period. […] Other types of hormonal change can trigger similar symptoms, such as puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. […] Several different infections cause breast pain and can occur in and around the breast, with different presentation and management: […] This type of pain is usually seen as bilateral lateral breast pain, sometimes radiating to the armpits and more commonly occurring in larger-chested women. […] Although difficult to characterize, dietary and lifestyle breast pain can present itself in different ways and may be due to multiple causes. […] Occasionally, breast pain is due to causes outside the breasts themselves. […] Breast pain is common and has a number of causes, many of which are benign.
  • #61 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Breast pain (mastalgia) is experienced by 70% of women during their lifetime and may be considered a physiological symptom rather like painful menses, but remains a common presentation in primary care. […] Despite an absence of evidence suggesting that mastalgia alone is associated with breast cancer, it is still commonly referred to secondary care breast units in one study it accounted for 41% of referrals. […] Cyclical breast pain is the condition experienced by two-thirds of patients with true mastalgia. It is influenced by hormonal changes over the menstrual cycle, usually worsening in the last week of a cycle and relieved at the onset of menses. […] Noncyclical breast pain accounts for around one-third of patients with true mastalgia. It does not follow a menstrual pattern. Causes could be large pendulous breasts, breast cysts, pregnancy, thrombophlebitis, trauma, and previous breast surgery.
  • #62 12 Causes of Breast Pain
    https://www.health.com/condition/breast-cancer/breast-pain
    An ill-fitting bra can cause pain even if you don’t have large breasts. A too-big bra isn’t going to support you very well. A too-small bra isn’t much better since it might feel restrictive and uncomfortable. […] Inflammatory breast cancer is one of the few types of breast cancer that may involve pain. This rare and aggressive form of the disease accounts for about 1% to 5% of all breast cancers. […] Large breasts can cause enough strain that they stretch breast ligaments and tissues. This can cause pain in your breasts and possibly in your back, neck, and shoulders. […] People approaching menopause might experience a painful widening and thickening of the milk duct called duct ectasia. […] A strain to your chest muscles after a challenging workout might feel like breast pain even though the injury is elsewhere.
  • #63 Understanding Breast Pain: Causes and When to See a Doctor
    https://www.foxchase.org/blog/2014-02-14-what-causes-breast-pain
    Pain is one of the most common breast symptoms prompting women to seek medical attention. […] It most often represents sensitivity of normal breast tissue to dietary factors, medications, or hormonal changes. Mastalgia, or breast pain, can also arise from breast cysts, localized infections, or inflammation in the muscles or ribs behind the breasts, most of which can easily be identified and treated. […] In the rare situation where pain is the result of breast cancer, it almost always occurs after the cancer has become obvious in other ways such as a prominent breast lump or a visible change in the breast appearance. […] Most women are familiar with the cyclic pattern of breast pain and sensitivity related to the hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle. […] Non-cyclic breast pain may be due to dietary triggers including caffeine, which is found in a variety of beverages and foods (coffee, tea, cola, chocolate) and may produce severe breast pain in some women with others experiencing no effect at all.
  • #64 Understanding the causes of breast pain | Total Health
    https://www.totalhealth.co.uk/clinical-experts/professor-kefah-mokbel/understanding-causes-breast-pain
    Breast pain is extremely common and is rarely caused by cancer. […] Mastalgia literally means 'pain in the region of the breast’ and it is the most common symptom reported by women attending breast clinics. […] True breast pain can either be cyclical (getting worse before menstruation) or non-cyclical (unrelated to menstruation). It is important to point out that breast cancer does not usually cause mastalgia. […] The relationship to the menstrual cycle is very important in order to establish the cause of breast pain. […] Non-cyclical mastalgia may arise from the breast tissue itself, the underlying ribs, or from conditions such as hiatus hernia and angina. Although non-cyclical breast pain is not usually a symptom of cancer, occasionally, cancer has been detected in women with breast pain, especially if they are over 40 years old. […] If you have non-cyclical mastalgia, it is important to consult your doctor.
  • #65 Breast Pain: Tenderness, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15469-breast-pain-mastalgia
    Breast pain is common and can happen to anyone. Its usually not a sign of breast cancer. Rather, its due to hormonal changes, medications or infection. […] Things like hormonal changes (due to medications or menstruation), wearing a poor-fitting bra or infection can cause breast pain. A condition called gynecomastia is the most common cause of breast pain in men. Most cases of breast pain arent due to breast cancer. […] Common causes of breast pain can be hormones, infections, noncancerous cysts and more. Breast pain can happen for many reasons. Some are related to your menstrual cycle, but other causes can be infection, cysts or hormone therapy. […] Noncyclic breast pain causes may include: Birth control pills, Pregnancy, Infections like mastitis, Inflammation, Hormone therapy, Prior radiation therapy, Antidepressant medications like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), Breast cysts, Fibroadenomas (noncancerous lumps), Costochondritis (inflammation in the cartilage in your breastbone), Surgical scars, Trauma or injury.
  • #66 Breast pain – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350423
    Breast pain can be cyclic or noncyclic. […] Changing hormone levels can cause changes in the milk ducts or milk glands. These changes in the ducts and glands can cause breast cysts, which can be painful and are a common cause of cyclic breast pain. Noncyclic breast pain may be caused by trauma, prior breast surgery or other factors. […] Breast pain is more common among people who haven’t completed menopause, although it may occur after menopause. Breast pain can also occur in men who have gynecomastia, and in transgender people who are undergoing gender reassignment. […] Other factors that may increase the risk of breast pain include: Breast size. People who have large breasts may experience noncyclic breast pain related to the size of their breasts. Neck, shoulder and back pain may accompany breast pain that’s caused by large breasts. Breast surgery. Breast pain associated with breast surgery and scar formation can sometimes linger after incisions have healed. Fatty acid imbalance. An imbalance of fatty acids within the cells may affect the sensitivity of breast tissue to circulating hormones. Medication use. Certain hormonal medications, including some infertility treatments and oral birth control pills, may be associated with breast pain. Breast tenderness is a possible side effect of estrogen and progesterone hormone therapies that are used after menopause. Breast pain may be associated with certain antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Other medicines that can cause breast pain include those used to treat high blood pressure and some antibiotics. Excessive caffeine use. Although more research is needed, some people notice an improvement in breast pain when they reduce or eliminate caffeine.
  • #67 Breast Pain (Causes, Symptoms and Treatment)
    https://patient.info/doctor/breast-pain-pro
    Breast pain is one of the most common breast symptoms experienced by women, and management requires careful assessment and diagnosis. […] The risk of cancer in a woman presenting with breast pain as an isolated symptom is extremely low as breast pain is one of the least associated symptoms of breast cancer, present only in 0.5% to 2% of patients later diagnosed with cancer. […] Breast pain and tenderness may occur in men who develop gynaecomastia secondary to medication, hormonal factors, cirrhosis and other conditions. […] Cyclical breast pain is confined to women but both non-cyclical breast pain and extramammary pain can occur in men. […] The classification is important because the assessment, management and response to treatment are different for the different types of breast pain.
  • #68 Breast Pain (Mastalgia) | Baylor Scott & White Health
    https://www.bswhealth.com/conditions/breast-pain-mastalgia
    Mastalgia is a name your provider may use for breast pain. It includes a wide range of pain in the breasts from mild discomfort to more intense pain. The most common cause of breast pain in those who have a menstrual cycle is normal changes in hormone levels. […] In men, gynecomastia is the most common cause of pain and enlargement in the breast tissue. However many conditions cause pain in one or both breasts. […] Many things can lead to breast pain from natural changes in your hormones to medications to medical conditions. Usually, the cause of your breast pain isn’t serious and can be easily managed at home. But sometimes, breast pain can be caused by a condition that requires medical care, like an infection or injury. Your doctor can help pinpoint the cause of your breast pain, but below is a breakdown of the most common reasons why people experience breast pain, including hormonal changes, breast injuries, breastfeeding, infections, medications and fibrocystic breast changes.
  • #69 Breast Pain: Tenderness, Causes, Diagnosis & Treatment
    https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15469-breast-pain-mastalgia
    Not usually. People with breast cancer will likely develop lumps in their breast area that can be quite painful. But most sources of breast pain arent due to cancerous lumps or tumors. […] During pregnancy, your body begins producing more hormones than normal, specifically estrogen. This directly affects your breasts, often making both of them painful and tender.
  • #70 Breast Pain: Types, Causes, and Treatment Options
    https://www.verywellhealth.com/causes-for-sharp-breast-pain-429843
    Breast pain during pregnancy is a common occurrence when high levels of estrogen, progesterone, and prolactin increase blood flow to the breasts and nipples. […] Cyclic mastalgia can worsen during perimenopause when hormones can surge and drop erratically. […] There are many medications that can affect hormones in people with breasts and trigger chronic breast pain. […] Fibrocystic breast changes is a noncancerous condition characterized by breast fibrosis and cysts. Symptoms include tender lumps and bumps in the breast along with breast swelling and diffuse pain. […] Noncyclic mastalgia is breast pain that does not involve hormonal fluctuations due to your menstrual cycle. Noncyclic breast pain may sometimes be chronic or acute. […] Obesity is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater. At this weight, the accumulation of fat in the breasts can increase their density and weight.
  • #71 Breast Pain (Mastalgia) | Baylor Scott & White Health
    https://www.bswhealth.com/conditions/breast-pain-mastalgia
    Natural hormone changes throughout the menstrual cycle are among the most common causes of mastalgia. You may experience similar breast pain symptoms during pregnancy due to hormone fluctuations. […] An injury or trauma to the breast, for example, a hit while you’re playing sports, can also cause breast pain. Most minor injuries can be treated at home, but your doctor should check breast pain that persists after an injury. […] Pain caused by breastfeeding is a common concern for nursing moms. You may feel a normal tingling when your milk lets down, or breast engorgement can lead to tender, swollen breasts. Nipple pain often occurs due to cracked skin or problems with a proper latch. […] A breast infection causes a painful, inflamed area in the breast called mastitis. Infections happen when bacteria from the skin get into the breast. Mastitis is most likely to happen in those who are breastfeeding, but an infection can happen when you’re not breastfeeding, too.
  • #72 Breastfeeding FAQs: Pain and Discomfort (for Parents) | Nemours KidsHealth
    https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/breastfeed-discomfort.html
    Engorgement can lead to sore, painful breasts or a breast infection. So its best to try to avoid it. […] The most common causes of breast pain include: […] A plugged milk duct. Sometimes milk ducts get plugged. You may feel pain in an area of your breast or a lump may form under the skin where the duct is plugged. […] Mastitis. This is an inflammation of the breast. If your breasts are sore; have red streaks; or have a hard, red area, you may have mastitis. […] Oral thrush. Sometimes babies develop a yeast infection in the mouth called oral thrush. […] Inverted or flat nipples. Women who have inverted nipples (nipples that turn in rather than stick out) or flat nipples (that don’t become as erect as they should when a baby is nursing) may have a harder time breastfeeding or have nipple pain.
  • #73 Breast pain – Symptoms and causes – Mayo Clinic
    https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/breast-pain/symptoms-causes/syc-20350423
    Breast pain can be cyclic or noncyclic. […] Changing hormone levels can cause changes in the milk ducts or milk glands. These changes in the ducts and glands can cause breast cysts, which can be painful and are a common cause of cyclic breast pain. Noncyclic breast pain may be caused by trauma, prior breast surgery or other factors. […] Breast pain is more common among people who haven’t completed menopause, although it may occur after menopause. Breast pain can also occur in men who have gynecomastia, and in transgender people who are undergoing gender reassignment. […] Other factors that may increase the risk of breast pain include: Breast size. People who have large breasts may experience noncyclic breast pain related to the size of their breasts. Neck, shoulder and back pain may accompany breast pain that’s caused by large breasts. Breast surgery. Breast pain associated with breast surgery and scar formation can sometimes linger after incisions have healed. Fatty acid imbalance. An imbalance of fatty acids within the cells may affect the sensitivity of breast tissue to circulating hormones. Medication use. Certain hormonal medications, including some infertility treatments and oral birth control pills, may be associated with breast pain. Breast tenderness is a possible side effect of estrogen and progesterone hormone therapies that are used after menopause. Breast pain may be associated with certain antidepressants, including selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) antidepressants. Other medicines that can cause breast pain include those used to treat high blood pressure and some antibiotics. Excessive caffeine use. Although more research is needed, some people notice an improvement in breast pain when they reduce or eliminate caffeine.
  • #74 How To Navigate Breast Pain | Causes, Relief, and Guidelines
    https://www.premiersurgicalnetwork.com/blog/navigating-breast-pain
    When you experience breast pain, your first instinct may be to wonder if its related to breast cancer or another serious underlying condition. However, breast pain is typically related to hormonal fluctuations or other benign causes that sometimes may not be related to breast cancer. […] More often than not, breast pain goes away on its own and isnt linked to an underlying condition or breast disorder. There are several causes of breast pain, including: […] Hormonal changes are a common cause of breast pain. People who menstruate may experience breast pain during ovulation or in the days or two weeks leading up to their period. Pregnancy and post-pregnancy involve a flood of new hormones that can cause breast pain. Transgender women who are undergoing hormone therapy may also feel pain as they transition.
  • #75 Breast Pain: Types, Causes, and Treatments
    https://www.healthline.com/health/breast-pain
    Developmental stages that affect the menstrual cycle and may cause breast pain include: puberty, pregnancy, menopause. […] Breast pain can have other causes, including: extramammary concerns, poor-fitting bras, breast surgery, medications, smoking. […] Breast pain is not typically associated with breast cancer. […] Breast pain or fibrocystic breasts does not mean you have a higher risk of developing cancer. […] Breast pain can have many causes that range from hormone fluctuations to certain medications to pain from an injury.
  • #76 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Referral is recommended if cyclical breast pain is affecting quality of life or sleep, and has been ongoing for more than 3 months if the pain is unresponsive to first-line treatment. […] Explanation and support alone has a vital role to play in the management of mastalgia. Careful examination to exclude any palpable abnormality and explanation of the lack of association between pain and breast malignancy may resolve the symptoms. […] Over-the-counter products and supplements may have some benefit in both cyclic and non-cyclic breast pain. […] Hormonal treatments may be considered in the secondary care setting; however, they have significant side effects limiting their use. Tamoxifen, an oestrogen receptor blocker, has the most evidence for efficacy in treatment of mastalgia, but the risk of venous thromboembolism must be considered.
  • #77 Breast pain: assessment, management, and referral criteria
    https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7384817/
    Referral is recommended if cyclical breast pain is affecting quality of life or sleep, and has been ongoing for more than 3 months if the pain is unresponsive to first-line treatment. […] Explanation and support alone has a vital role to play in the management of mastalgia. Careful examination to exclude any palpable abnormality and explanation of the lack of association between pain and breast malignancy may resolve the symptoms. […] Over-the-counter products and supplements may have some benefit in both cyclic and non-cyclic breast pain. […] Hormonal treatments may be considered in the secondary care setting; however, they have significant side effects limiting their use. Tamoxifen, an oestrogen receptor blocker, has the most evidence for efficacy in treatment of mastalgia, but the risk of venous thromboembolism must be considered.
  • #78 Breast Pain: Causes, Symptoms and How to Find Relief | Beaufort Memorial
    https://www.bmhsc.org/blog/breast-pain-causes-symptoms-and-how-find-relief
    An infection in the milk ducts can cause localized pain, swelling and redness in the breast. […] Many women develop fibrocystic breast changes, a noncancerous condition where the breasts feel lumpy or rope-like. […] Hormone fluctuations during the menstrual cycle are a common cause of cyclic breast pain. […] Breast pain can have many causes, and no matter what your symptoms are, if youre concerned, talking with your doctor is a good next step. […] Treatment for breast pain depends on the underlying cause. […] If hormonal fluctuations are the root cause of your breast pain, your doctor may recommend birth control pills to regulate hormone levels and reduce symptoms. […] In some cases, prescription medications such as hormonal treatments may be used to manage chronic breast pain. […] Breast pain while sometimes scary is often not related to serious underlying conditions but can be a good reminder to readdress your breast health with your primary care provider.