Overview
Breast pain is any discomfort or pain in the breast.
Cause
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
- Soon after having a baby, a woman’s breasts may become swollen with milk. This can be very painful. If you also have an area of redness, call your health care provider, as this may be a sign of an infection or other more serious breast problem.
- 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
- Water pills (diuretics)
- Digitalis preparations
- Methyldopa
- Spironolactone
- Shingles can lead to pain in the breast if the painful blistering rash appears on the skin of your breasts.
Exams & Tests
Your provider will perform a breast examination and ask questions about your breast pain. You may have a mammogram or ultrasound.
Your provider may arrange a follow-up visit if your symptoms have not gone away in a given period of time. You may be referred to a specialist.
Source
Courtesy of MedlinePlus from the National Library of Medicine
