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What is 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. Generally, Breast pain, also called mastalgia, is a common condition among women and is not a sign of breast cancer.The breasts develop due to an increase in estrogen during puberty. During the menstrual cycle, various hormones cause changes in breast tissue that can lead to pain or discomfort in some women.
Breast pain (mastalgia) is usually classed as either:
- Cyclical breast pain – where the pain is related to periods.
- Non-cyclical breast pain – where the pain is not related to periods.
Recovery Time
Cyclical breast pain goes away within three months of onset in about 3 in 10 cases. However, in up to 6 in 10 women where the pain has gone, it develops again sometime within two years. So, in other words, cyclical breast pain may come and go over the years.Noncyclical breast pain can be present all the time, or come and go in a random way.
Diagnosis
Dignosis is done by clinical breast exam (CBE) (CBE) and medical history. Other tests may include:- Ultrasound
- Mammography
- Biopsy
FAQs prepared by doctor
1. What is 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 is also called mastalgia.
2. What are the symptoms?
Pain may be felt in one or both breasts, or just in part of one breast. Pain may also be felt in the armpit or upper arm. Breast pain may be described as sharp, stabbing or shooting pain with feeling of heaviness or fullness in the breast along with aching or tenderness, burning, pinching feel and swelling.
3. Is it cancerous?
Its a common condition among women and is not a sign of breast cancer.
4. What are the types of breast pain?
Breast pain (mastalgia) is usually classed as either:
Cyclical breast pain – where the pain is related to periods.
Non-cyclical breast pain – where the pain is not related to periods.
5. What to do when one is suffering from such condition?
One shall make an ice pack from a plastic bag filled with ice or a bag of peas wrapped in a towel and apply directly to your breasts to find relief. A warm compress applied can also relieve the pain.
Try castor oil packs- Applied to the breasts three times per week for one hour, over two or three months, castor oil packs often eliminate breast pain, particularly if there is swelling of breast tissue. Learning self-massage of the chest and breast helps. One shall wear less-constricting bras whenever possible.
6. When shall one consult a doctor?
One shall consult a doctor if one experiences Pain or tenderness in breasts or a lump in breast or under arms, discharge from the lump or nipple or a swelling and redness in breast.