Breast pain is usually a symptom of hormonal fluctuations, although upper body exercise and a too-tight bra can also cause discomfort.
A person with chest pain has pain in the nipple, skin or primary breast tissue. The breasts are very sensitive parts of the body, and, depending on the size of the breasts, there may be pain and discomfort with daily activities. Hormonal fluctuations can also play a role in breast pain. During menstruation, various hormones cause changes in breast tissue that can cause pain or discomfort in some women. Breast pain can also occur in girls and boys during puberty, due to hormonal fluctuations.
Mild breast pain can be caused by a small, non-cancerous tumor, while severe breast pain is usually caused by an injury or infection, such as mastitis. Chest pain and swelling in the nursing mother may be due to breast engagement.
Women who wear tight, push-ups, underwear or sports bras may also experience breast pain, as poor fitting years can shrink breast tissue, especially with large breasts.
Signs and Symptoms of Breast Pain
Common symptoms associated with breast pain include breast lumps, swelling of the breasts, and nipple discharge. Symptoms of chest pain due to infection include redness of the skin, tenderness of the breasts and swelling of the breasts.
A woman’s menstrual cycle causes hormonal fluctuations that make her breasts feel swollen, lumpy and sometimes painful, especially in the days before her period.
If chest pain is caused by hormonal fluctuations, you will usually see the pain increase two to three days before your period. Sometimes the pain will continue during your period.
To determine if your breast pain is linked to your period, keep a log of your periods and note when you feel pain throughout the month. After a couple of cycles, a pattern may become apparent.
Other possible causes of chest pain include:
Breast structure and size
Breast surgery, trauma, pre-breast surgery
Fatty acid imbalance
Hormonal medications, including some infertility treatments and oral birth control pills
Side effects of estrogen and progesterone hormone treatment
Some antidepressants
Menstruation and premenstrual syndrome (PMS)
Breastfeeding mastitis, cracking, itching, burning, or blistering on the nipples after birth
Upper body toil
Treatment and Medication Options for Breast Pain
Treatment of chest pain depends on the underlying cause. Treatment for chest pain may include hot compresses, antibiotics, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain. Surgery may be needed to remove a breast tumor or tumor. In a nursing mother, a breast pump can reduce breast attraction.
