When Should You Be Concerned About Breast Pain?
Breast pain or Mastalgia is a common condition that a lot of women face in different life stages. Breast pain is usually linked to hormonal changes but sometimes there can be something serious too.
Common Causes of Breast Pain
Breast pain can stem from a variety of causes, including hormonal changes, stress, and even breastfeeding. When to worry about breast pain is often a question that depends on the pain’s persistence, its nature, and whether other symptoms accompany it. In most scenarios, breast pain is harmless and related to factors such as:
Hormonal fluctuations:
Estrogen and Progesterone are two hormones that fluctuate in pregnancy, menopause, and during menstruation, they can cause breast tenderness or discomfort in most women.
Breastfeeding:
Most nursing moms face breast pain due to engorgement, blocked milk ducts, or a condition called mastitis.
Trauma or injury:
An injury to the chest area, even if mild, can lead to ongoing breast discomfort.
However, certain types of breast pain may warrant more immediate attention.
When Should You Take Breast Pain Seriously?
You should not ignore the specific nature or irregular pattern of breast pains. Check out these red flags that indicate that you should seek help:
Why does my breast hurt in one spot?:
If you have pain in a single spot or on a specific area of your breasts that you are noticing is getting worse then it is concerning. It can be because of cyst or fibroadenoma but it is crucial to get it checked.
Persistent pain that doesn’t follow your menstrual cycle:
Hormonal breast pain typically occurs in both breasts and comes and goes with the menstrual cycle. If your pain is continuous or only affects one breast, it’s worth consulting a healthcare professional.
Why does my breast hurt when I press it?:
If pressing on your breast consistently causes pain, it could be due to an underlying issue such as an infection, a cyst, or fibrocystic changes. Pain caused by pressing on the breast should be monitored, especially if it’s accompanied by a lump or swelling.
Breast Pain and Breastfeeding
For breastfeeding mothers, breast pain is a common experience, but it can still be distressing. Several breastfeeding-related issues can cause discomfort:
Engorgement:
This happens when the breasts become overly full with milk, leading to tenderness and swelling. Engorgement is usually temporary and can be managed by frequent breastfeeding or pumping to relieve the pressure.
Blocked milk ducts:
When milk doesn’t flow properly through the ducts, it can become blocked, leading to a hard, painful lump in the breast. You can use Breast Therapy pads or apply a warm compress to the area to unblock.
Mastitis:
Mastitis is a common bacterial infection among nursing moms. Mastitis develops if blocked milk is not cleared and it can cause severe pain, swelling, and sometimes fever. In this case, emergency treatment is necessary as you can't leave this condition untreated.
Pain on the Side of the Breast Near Armpit: What Could It Mean?
Another area of concern for many women is pain on the side of the breast near the armpit when pressed. This type of pain can be due to several factors:
Lymph node swelling:
Underarms or near your armpit area is sensitive and prone to get more response to infections or inflammation that causes pain that travels to the side of the breasts.
Muscle strain:
Heavy lifting and intense workouts can cause muscle strains that look like you have breast tenderness.
Breast cysts:
Cysts are fluid-filled bubbles that are in the breast tissue and are painful especially when pressed. These cysts are harmless but constant pain can be a sign you check with your doctor.
There's a difference between muscular and pain from the breast tissue, If you think there's something serious make sure you consult your doctor to see if there is anything serious.
Can Stress Lead to Breast Pain?
It is unusual and shocking but yes stress causes breast pain. When you are under stress, you face shifts in hormones which cause discomfort in the breast tissues.
Managing stress can be difficult but certain techniques such as yoga and meditation help with your stress and your physical discomfort too.
What Causes Pain When You Press on Your Breast?
Another frequent question women ask is, why does my breast hurt when I press it? Several reasons could explain this, including:
Infections:
Mastitis or other infections can cause pain when pressed. If you have fever and the area is warm to touch then you immediately have to seek help.
Trauma:
Sometimes, breast pain is due to an injury or trauma to the chest area. Even mild injuries can lead to sensitivity for days or weeks, especially when the affected area is touched.
If you notice any unusual changes like lumps, discharge, or changes in breast texture or they hurt when you touch them then you should consult your doctor.
When to See a Doctor
Breast pain alone is rarely a sign of breast cancer, but it’s still important to monitor your symptoms. When to worry about breast pain depends on factors like duration, location, and whether the pain is accompanied by other changes in your breast. Here are some key reasons to see a doctor:
- Persistent or worsening pain that doesn’t go away over time.
- Lumps, swelling, or other unusual changes in your breast or nipple.
- Discharge from the nipple, especially if it’s bloody or occurs without any obvious cause.
- Localized pain that doesn’t seem linked to your menstrual cycle or hormonal changes.
If you’re breastfeeding and experience severe pain or symptoms of infection, such as redness, swelling, and fever, seek medical advice promptly.
Conclusion
Breast pain can be annoying and distressing but it is not something that you should worry about. Most of the time, it is linked to hormonal fluctuations or breastfeeding. You should know the difference between benign pain and concerning pain so you can have peace of mind. Take care of your breast health by staying informed and seeking medical advice when necessary.
